Sure, those dusty old encyclopedias are important for learning about American history. But the Web makes using that knowledge a whole lot more fun! Check out what one second grade class did with their voyage into the world of the Undergound Railroad. Make your stop at www2.lhric.org/pocantico/tubman/tubman.html to see how these kids put history into action. After reading about the life of Harriet Tubman, they put together a great interactive site. Learn all about this conductor of the Underground Railroad through the eyes of kids, with illustrated timelines, fun quizzes and crossword puzzles. Even better, maybe this great class project will inspire you to start a Web site of your own. There's a lot you can do with historyÐwhy not share it with other cyberkids?

If ever a military battle captured the imaginations of war buffs worldwide, it would be the Invasion of Normandy. As the landing phase of Operation Overlord during World War II, it was the scene of great strategy, honor and sacrifice. Join the Allied victory in progress at Britannica Online's Normandy Web site, which chronicles the battle from the earlier European hostilities to the liberation of the French. Get ready to storm the beach at www.britannica.com/dday and immerse yourself in international politics, airborne attacks and military conspiracies. The comprehensive site has audio clips of speeches, films of the fighting inland, and biographies of leaders like Eisenhower and Churchill. Plus, you'll have the chance to decipher secret code messages and inspect battle documents. Charge!!!

Castles, moats, Vikings and clashing armor! What more could you want? Get thee to the year 1066 and witness one of the most fascinating medieval battles, the Battle of Hastings. www.battle1066.com is your time machine to early Britain, where Vikings, Romans, Saxons and Normans were all fighting for the land that is now England. Hastings was the ultimate fight of the era: in the English corner, the beloved Saxon king, Harold II, and the challenger, crossing the English channel from France, William the Conqueror! Who will win? You'll just have to log on and find out. And while you're wandering through the battlefield, check out the Bayeux tapestry, which tells the tale through hundreds of feet of needlework. (Disclaimer: This site now contains advertisements.)

From the American Civil War to the first lunar landing mission, humankind's past is both exciting and educational. At The History Place, www.historyplace.com you'll be able to take in archived photographs, timelines, documents and major speeches from the ages. Featured exhibits include a photo history of John F. Kennedy, the timeline of World War II in Europe and a chronological history of the American Revolution. Other treats include the majestic scenic photography of Ansel Adams and the life and times of Abe Lincoln. Points of view from historians around the globe and the Speech of the Week prove that history was never meant to be static. And don't forget to stop by the Homework Help page, where you can turn your next history paper from a chore into an adventure. Enjoy the drama as it unfolds before your eyes and ears! (Disclaimer: This site now contains advertisements.)

The history of Africans and African Americans has been ignored by Europeans and Americans of European descent for hundreds of years. "Over the past 5,000 years," a Columbia University professor once said, "the history of black Africa is blank." To counter this, a Harvard scholar and African American, Dr. Carter Godwin Woodson, founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History. In 1926 the organization succeeded in establishing a "Negro History Week." In 1976, the celebration was be renamed and extended into "Black History Month." At www.kn.pacbell.com/wired/BHM you can learn about slavery, African American leaders, and read poetry by Maya Angelou and Rita Dove. This Web site is full of challenges, too. Try this one: After reading the lyrics to "Buffalo Soldier" by Bob Marley, consider how this modern "Dreadlock Rasta" is similar to the "Buffalo Soldiers" of the 9th Cavalry and 54th Volunteer Infantry.