Though it has been a couple of hundred years since New York was seized by the British, New Yorkers have always contributed to the defense of their country. Here are a series of photos from our partners' archives of New Yorkers during wartime.

The Civil War marks one of the bloodiest events in American history. During the Constitutional Convention, compromises regarding slavery were made in order to ratify the Constitution and form the United States of America. The framers of the Constitution recognized the moral issues surrounding the slave trade but many were not prepared to give up slavery's economic benefits, in order to make true the phrase "All Men are Created Equal." As the nation expanded westward, the debate over slavery intensified. The northern states, who largely opposed slavery's expansion believed the federal government should stop its spread. The southern states rallied behind the notion of state's rights in order to protect their slave-trading interests and allow for its expansion to the newly forming states in the West. Tensions, which had been largely kept in check throughout the 1840s and 50s reached a boiling point with the election of President Lincoln in 1860. Following his inauguration, several states succeeded from the Union, sparking a brutal war lasting four years. The war resulted in the end of slavery throughout the United States and the passage of important Constitutional Amendments, which would be used throughout the nation's history to advance civil rights to marginalized groups. As you explore some of the important locations associated with the war in New York, consider the following questions: What role did New York play in the Civil War? What effects did the Civil War have on the "home front?" New York Social Studies Scope and Sequence Standards 4.5c, 7.8c,d, & 11.3c For Teachers: Lesson Plan for Civil War in New York

Mirror, mirror on the wall, who's the coolest cat of all? We're actually not quite sure we're fully qualified to award that title...but here is a collection of our favorite historic photos of felines from our partners!

World War II was the largest military conflict in history. An estimated 70 million people died worldwide. Beginning with the rise of Hitler in Germany, the world plunged into war, just twenty years after the First World War. The United States was slow to join the conflict directly, finally declaring war on the Axis Powers after the bombing of Pearl Harbor in December 1941. However, prior to this formal declaration, the US government, while technically remaining neutral, sent military aid and equipment to the British through a law called the Lend-Lease Act. After Pearl Harbor, the United States directed their complete industrial and economic energy into the war effort. This approach to war, known as Total War, involved the vast majority of the American population in some form or another. The United States in general, and New York in particular, transformed during this conflict to meet the needs of the US military and its allies. As you read, consider the different ways New Yorkers stepped up to contribute to the war effort (8.6b, 11.8b) and how WWII can be considered a "Total War" (8.6b, 11.8b) For Teachers: Lesson Plan on WWII from home