Education

How did African American women break into the Army Nurse Corps? The nurses of the Army Nurse Corps were an essential part of the war effort. The African American nurses fought to serve their country and to be there for the Black soldiers they treated. Though hurdles were laid in their way, these women succeeded in enlisting in the Army. Many Black nurses went on to serve around the world and perform ground-breaking research.

As the Allies Forces pushed into German controlled areas, they encountered and liberated survivors in concentration camps. The Buffalo Soldiers not only liberated concentration camps but connected with the sentiments of the survivors as they shared in the experience of being persecuted and segregated by the state. This connection built on shared experiences culminated in the fight against injustice abroad and at home.

General Benjamin O. Davis, Jr. built a legacy well beyond being the fourth African American to graduate from West Point. He learned from the legacies that came before him to go further and higher in his military career. He commanded the Buffalo Soldiers, the Tuskegee Airmen, and served all over the world. Even after retirement, he continued to serve the public in various administrations, creating change on various levels to leave a legacy all his own.

As new modes of transportation were developed; they were adapted for military use. These new modes of transportation created new opportunities for soldiers to step into roles of leadership or be part of new regiments. African Americans took advantage of these new opportunities and combated the negative perception of their leadership abilities in the Army.

The Buffalo Soldiers were called to action during the Spanish-American War. At the start of the five-month war the men of these Buffalo Soldier units were labelled as heroes and praised for their sacrifices. However, at the war's end, the men's reputation had turned with negative press and gross insinuations. What changed? What happened that they were cut out of the picture with the Rough Riders?

Future Civil War Major General and President Ulysses S. Grant, started developing his leadership skills as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Battle of Resaca de la Palma. Grant’s Memoirs, written 39 years after the battle, mentioned his experience in the battle. Students review a primary and secondary document about the Battle of Resaca de la Palma. The primary document is part of Grant’s Memoirs. The secondary document is a lithograph of the Battle. Afterwards, they answer questions about the documents.

What is a Hero? Join a Park Ranger for a 45-minute PowerPoint presentation on Buffalo Soldiers and the Medal of Honor. During the almost 90 years that the Buffalo Soldiers served in segregated US Army units 30 Buffalo Soldiers were awarded the Medal of Honor. They received the medal for actions in the Plains Wars through the Korean War. Discover four of the men who were awarded the nation’s highest honor for bravery. This program can be given in person or virtually.

Before the creation of the National Park Service, the US Army were assigned to manage national parks. This included the Buffalo Soldiers who were assigned to protect parks such as Yosemite, General Grant, and Sequoia National Parks. Discover the legacy of the Buffalo Soldiers in our National Parks and how their contribution across the American landscape continues to be captured and preserved for future generations to learn and explore.

Students create a timeline of events leading to the Civil War based on a series of articles from the National Park Service. Students will explore the issue of slavery as a major cause starting with the Missouri Compromise, The Dred Scott Decision, The Election of Lincoln, John Brown's Raid, and the numerous states secessions. Then, students become part of a regiment and complete hands-on activities as they discover the structure of an army.

Students analyze the primary document, the Emancipation Proclamation and how it affected the Civil War and southern states. They work in teams to creatively share learned information from NPS videos about one of the final pushes in the Civil War, the Atlanta Campaign through Georgia. They listen to and draw meaning from soldier and author, Ambrose Bierce.