Wars & Conflicts

Explore the timeline of American wars and conflicts including the French and Indian War, the American Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the Mexican-American War, the American Civil War, the Spanish-American War, World War I, World War II, the Cold War, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, the War in Afghanistan, and the Iraq War.

Explore the timeline of American wars and conflicts from the American Revolutionary War to current global conflicts.

National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day (April 9)

This day honors those veterans who have served their country while being held captive in enemy territory. The day also honors the family of the prisoners of war and their long and anxious wait to see their family again. Visit the collection.

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A Path to Victory, Part 5 5
A Path to Victory, Part 5
Episode 5

Video

Grades: 9 10 11 12 Higher Education

The Allies were finishing up the liberation of France and they were hoping the war would be over by the end of the year. Montgomery was the Allied commander of that section and he was looking for a...
Thanks, Viet Nam Vets
Thanks, Viet Nam Vets

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

For Vietnam Veterans Appreciation Week 1973, South Carolina Governor John C. West honored veterans of the Vietnam War and Medal of Honor winners in a special program held at the Governor's Mansion.
Liberation, Part 1 1
Liberation, Part 1
Episode 1

Video

Grades: 9 10 11 12 Higher Education

This segment features remembrances of prison camps and describes Hitler's "Mein Kampf," and the plan to annihilate the Jewish people. Those interviewed provide their remembrances of what occurred. The...
A Path to Victory, Part 3 3
A Path to Victory, Part 3
Episode 3

Video

Grades: 9 10 11 12 Higher Education

Veterans reflect on General Patton, from the way he required his men to dress to the way he so directly addressed his men right up front, saying, "Some who sailed over here are not going back home."...
A Path to Victory, Part 2 2
A Path to Victory, Part 2
Episode 2

Video

Grades: 9 10 11 12 Higher Education

The Hedgerows were unanticipated and required a new type of warfare. They were quite entangled and provided lots of cover, and made the terrain difficult to maneuver. No one could see what they were...
A Path to Victory, Part 4 4
A Path to Victory, Part 4
Episode 4

Video

Grades: 9 10 11 12 Higher Education

A first-hand account of Auschwitz is provided by Lou Fowler. "The Germans were absolutely obsessed with killing people. It was a killing machine."
A Path to Victory, Part 1 1
A Path to Victory, Part 1
Episode 1

Video

Grades: 9 10 11 12 Higher Education

This segment begins with reflections of the Parisians playing "Dixie" on the Champs-Élysées, and a band marching, and a reference to "high cotton." These are some of the memories that have lived on...
William Wragg | History of SC Slide Collection
William Wragg | History of SC Slide Collection
Episode 141

Photo

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

William Wragg (1714-1777) was a prominent loyalist during the American Revolution. Born in South Carolina, educated in the law in England, he returned to his native land in 1734, and rapidly rose to...
Charles Hard Townes | History of SC Slide Collection
Charles Hard Townes | History of SC Slide Collection
Episode 138

Photo

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Charles Hard Townes (1915-2015 ) is South Carolina's only Nobel Prize winner, an honor he was awarded for his development of the laser. This photograph shows him accepting that award in Stockholm...
Thomas Taylor | History of SC Slide Collection
Thomas Taylor | History of SC Slide Collection
Episode 135

Photo

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Thomas Taylor (1743-1833) owned the plantation at the top of a hill next to the confluence of the Broad and Saluda Rivers in Richland County that became the site of the city of Columbia in 1786 (see...
Banastre Tarleton | History of SC Slide Collection
Banastre Tarleton | History of SC Slide Collection
Episode 134

Photo

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Banastre Tarleton (1754-1833), known to South Carolina revolutionary leaders as "Bloody Tarleton," first came to Charleston as an officer under General Clinton's command in the failed attack on Fort...
Thomas Sumter | History of SC Slide Collection
Thomas Sumter | History of SC Slide Collection
Episode 133

Photo

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Thomas Sumter (1732-1832) was, at his death, the last surviving general of the Revolutionary Army. Born in Charlottesville, Virginia, he fought in the French and Indian Wars as a Virginia militia man...
Robert Smalls | History of SC Slide Collection
Robert Smalls | History of SC Slide Collection
Episode 130

Photo

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

A former slave who became a state legislator and U.S. Congressman, Robert Smalls (1839-1915) was born in Beaufort, and moved with his master to Charleston in 1851. During the Civil War, he was pressed...
Edward Rutledge | History of SC Slide Collection
Edward Rutledge | History of SC Slide Collection
Episode 125

Photo

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Son of an Irish immigrant doctor, Edward Rutledge (1749-1800) was born in Charleston where he received his early education. Later, he studied law at the Middle Temple in London, returning to South...
Dr. David Ramsey | History of SC Slide Collection
Dr. David Ramsey | History of SC Slide Collection
Episode 120

Photo

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Dr. David Ramsey (1749-1815) was a physician and historian. Born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Ramsey attended local schools, the College of New Jersey (now Princeton), and the College of...
Thomas Pinckney | History of SC Slide Collection
Thomas Pinckney | History of SC Slide Collection
Episode 116

Photo

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Born in Charleston, the third surviving child of Eliza Lucas and Charles Pinckney, the younger brother of Charles Cotesworth Pinckney (see Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, In His 6th Year, and Charles...
Charles Pinckney | History of SC Slide Collection
Charles Pinckney | History of SC Slide Collection
Episode 114

Photo

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Born in Charleston, Charles Pinckney (1757-1824) studied law under his father, Colonel Charles Pinckney, and was admitted to the bar, but never practiced law. During the Revolutionary War, he was...
Francis W. Pickens | History of SC Slide Collection
Francis W. Pickens | History of SC Slide Collection
Episode 112

Photo

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Born on his family's plantation on the Tuggaloo River in St. Paul's Parish, Francis W. Pickens (1805-1869) attended Franklin College (now University of Georgia) at Athens, Georgia, and South Carolina...
Andrew Pickens | History of SC Slide Collection
Andrew Pickens | History of SC Slide Collection
Episode 111

Photo

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Born in Edgefield, Governor Andrew Pickens (1779-1838) studied at the College of New Jersey (now Princeton). During the War of 1812, he served as a colonel in the U.S. Army and in later stages of the...
Victory by Valor: Shaw Air Force base, Part 7 7
Victory by Valor: Shaw Air Force base, Part 7
Episode 7

Video

Grades: 8

This segment describes the relationship that exists between Shaw Air Force Base and the community of Sumter, S.C. and its residents. Col. James Post, Wing Commander, states that they are close friends...
Victory by Valor: Shaw Air Force Base, Part 6 6
Victory by Valor: Shaw Air Force Base, Part 6
Episode 6

Video

Grades: 8

Col. James Post, Wing Commander, states that, "What I'd like to be remember for, I think, is helping facilitate the training, the most realistic training possible, and preparing our airmen to ensure...
Victory by Valor: Shaw Air Force Base 8
Victory by Valor: Shaw Air Force Base
Episode 8

Video

Grades: 8

Mike Gartland continues to relay the history of Shaw Air Force Base. In World War II, the mission was to teach pilots to fly airplanes. The first aircraft that the 20th used there was the P51 Mustang...