Our Mission

Enhance teaching American history using music video in a project-based environment that teaches across the curriculum, incorporates digital media and fine arts and aligns with Common Core Standards.

The History Happens collection, through the use of innovative technology, will offer an effective way to teach American history to elementary and middle school age children through the use of music, rhythm and song lyrics, so that memorization of details and facts will be learned more easily, with greater recall and ultimately lead to a greater interest in the people, places and times of our rich cultural heritage.

Hear from professional educators
(and see videos)

History Happens is a collection of music videos about characters from American history. The goal is to inform and inspire young people that an individual can make a difference--as evidenced by the many acts of courage, endurance and passion that make up the American story. These music videos and accompanying teachers guides can be used as a platform for all kinds of innovative, multi-disciplinary, project-based teaching/learning experiences.

Professional Testimonies

"I helped write the national standards for the National Council for the Social Studies, those standards that address social studies in particular, and I believe that History Happens addresses those standards."
— Pat Nickell, former president, National Council for the Social Studies

"History Happens is a unique, arts-infused approach to teaching social studies through the personal stories of individuals who were there when history happened. Students with diverse learning styles will be captivated by the multimedia music videos and vivid images. Project-based, hands-on activities reinforce reading, writing, speaking and listening skills aligned with the Common Core Standards�in English Language Arts as students explore the major concepts of Social Studies and Arts and Humanities."
—Judy Sizemore, Education Consult, Partners for Education/Berea College

"I've used History Happens in my classroom, then I copied the lyrics and the students were very enthusiastic about learning it.
—Missy Wright, 4th grade teacher
"As an English teacher, I've found music to be one of the most stimulating and exciting ways to engage students across the curriculum."
— Michael Rychlik, SAIL High School, Tallahassee, FL

"History Happens collection promises to awaken middle school students to a new interest in history by an imaginative blending of music and the arts through video."
—Daniel Blake Smith, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY

History Happens has enlisted the advice of children, parents, teachers, scholars, and historians as well as the endorsement and support of national organizations such as the National Council of the Social Studies, the Kentucky Humanities Council and the Baker Children's Center in Boston. Emmy Award winning television producers, Academy Award winning filmmakers and Gold Record recipients make up our production team as we pursue our mission.