Crucial sources of enemy information were obtained by surveillance, code-breaking, and subterfuge throughout World War II. Intelligence agencies helped the Allies win the war by slipping behind enemy lines to serve as spies or working to break Axis message codes and steal critical information. In this program, students explore the Code Talkers, Native American men who served in the U.S. military and used their native languages to create codes that were never broken, even after the end of the war.

Shortly before the D-Day invasion, Dwight D. Eisenhower outlined instructions for the most comprehensive effort in history by an army to fight a war while also trying to minimize the damage to cultural treasures and monuments. Just after World War II, Ike was introduced to the hobby of painting and enjoyed it thought the rest of his life. In addition to learning about this merge of art, history, and Eisenhower, students will "paint like Ike" and finish a painting Ike left incomplete upon his passing.

Following World War II, many Americans kept souvenirs of lost loved ones or their time in the war. Many of these articles were stored in boxes or trunks and then tucked away in attics, basements, and garages for decades. In this program, students crucially evaluate a variety of primary sources related to women on the American home front during World War II.

As Nazi tyranny spread across Europe, the Germans and their collaborators persecuted and murdered millions of other people they deemed "inferior" and a threat to the German racial community. In this program, students will learn about the Holocaust through primary source stories of those persecuted and honor them by remembering that each person has a name and a story.

Every aspect of American life was refocused towards the goal of winning the war during World War II, and everyone tried to do their part to support the Allied troops. Students will learn about the propaganda and rationing programs that were a way of life for those on the home front as they examine primary sources and play a fun rationing game. 

In this engaging lesson, students are introduced to the history of Veterans Day, the importance of honoring veterans, and the service of World War II veterans. Through the "Hello Heroes" letter-writing project, they write thoughtful, personal letters to World War II veterans, expressing gratitude and asking questions about their military experiences. The activity emphasizes the value of service, helps students develop letter-writing skills, and connects them with history as the 80th anniversary of D-Day approaches.