Lest We Forget Project (Jordan O'Connell)

Select a controversial (or lesser-known) American figure from our era of study, then prepare and record a 5 minute YouTube presentation that explores that person’s life and reconsiders his or her historical legacy here in the 21st century.

In assuming the role of the historian, your effort – available for all the world to see – will promote the pursuit of truth in an era in which historical understanding is not just dismissed, but is often criticized or outright rejected.

Researching a historical figure involves looking for primary sources as well as secondary sources.  Primary sources refer to anything that was written by that person, like autobiographies, memoirs and letters.  In addition to reading what they wrote or said firsthand, it’s also important to find secondary sources, or things other people said about them. These can include people who lived at the same time as the person you’re interested in, or scholars who have studied them more recently. Between the internet and Howard College libraries, it’s easy to find plenty of information. 

To start your research, check out the following databases through the Howard College libraries: