Smithsonian political curators Harry Rubenstein and Larry Bird give a behind-the-scenes look at the buttons, signs, hats, and novelties in the presidential campaign memorabilia collection of the National Museum of American History.

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One of the most iconic political advertisements in American history was the 1964 “Daisy Girl” spot produced by the presidential campaign of Lyndon Baines Johnson. Professor Robert Mann uses that ad among others in his class on political communication at Louisiana State University. This week’s class looks at the history of campaign advertisements.

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Each week American Artifacts takes viewers into archives, museums and historic sites around the country. The American Antiquarian Society in Worcester, Massachusetts, is an independent research library founded in 1812 by Revolutionary War patriot and printer Isaiah Thomas. American History TV visited the library to look at their early American political collection, including ballots, cartoons and party newspapers.

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University of Missouri history professor Jeffrey Pasley discusses his work as an author, teacher, blogger and former political speechwriter.  Mr. Pasley is the author and editor of several books, including "The Tyranny of Printers" and “Beyond the Founders.”

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Democrat Pat Schroeder of Colorado served in the U.S. Congress for 24 years. When she was first elected in 1972, she was a 32-year-old mother of two young children. When she arrived in Washington, she was one of only fourteen women in the House. In this speech at the History Colorado Center in Denver, she talks about the obstacles that women and other minorities faced in the 1970s, and describes her work as a representative at the height of the women’s movement.

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The National Archives hosts a discussion on the history of women’s suffrage, with an emphasis on the impact of Mary McLeod Bethune. Panelists explore the past and current role of women in government and the gender divide in Congress.

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Jonathan Hansen presents a history of America's presence at Guantanamo Bay.  The author reports on the United States' early interest in the area, which was central to U.S. plans to control the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean.  Mr. Hansen examines the creation of the U.S. naval base and prison at Guantanamo and its continued use despite calls for its closure.

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Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell talks about the political career of fellow Kentuckian John J. Crittenden, a member of the U.S. Senate in the 1880s.  A friend and ally of Henry Clay's, Crittenden also served as Kentucky's governor and twice as U.S. attorney general. Senator McConnell emphasizes Crittenden’s commitment to the Union before and during the Civil War and reflects on what current lawmakers can learn from former legislators. This event was hosted by Eastern Kentucky University.

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How is slavery interpreted at historic sites – and how has that interpretation evolved over the last quarter century? Those were among the questions addressed at a conference convened at Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello to consider the history of slavery scholarship and how it makes its way to the American public.

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These are unedited excerpts from a 1995 conversation with President Eisenhower’s son, John. A retired U.S. Army Brigadier General, he talks about his father’s role as Supreme Allied Commander Europe. He also discusses Ike’s relationships with American and British generals and how he compromised with Allied nations to bring World War II in Europe to an end. Independent producer George Colburn conducted this interview as part of a documentary series on Dwight D. Eisenhower’s military and political career – a period covering from 1941 to 1961.  His latest project –  “Eisenhower’s Secret War” – debuts on public television stations nation-wide in May. Hosted by Evan Thomas, author of “Ike’s Bluff," Mr. Colburn’s two-part program focuses on Ike’s campaign to wage peace in the aftermath of World War II.

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