Trench Art, which emerged during 19th-century conflicts and gained prominence amid the harsh conditions of World War I’s Western Front. It examines how soldiers repurposed battlefield debris—particularly brass shell casings—into vases, jewelry, and everyday items during quiet moments between combat. Crafted in No Man's Land and behind the lines, these objects reflect both the ingenuity and emotional resilience of troops seeking to connect with home. The collection showcases the artistry that arose from war's destruction, offering a poignant lens into the material and personal culture of wartime life.

More than twenty years ago, I introduced students to historical wargaming—a hobby I had cherished since youth—as a way to deepen their engagement with history. Though computer games expanded the audience, they lacked the tangible aesthetic and pedagogical value of traditional board wargames and miniatures.

“The College Board doesn’t care about military history,” I tell my AP-bound Accelerated US History students—though always tongue in cheek, because what historians mean by military history often differs from student assumptions. While AP US History rarely covers grand strategy or the social history of the military in depth, it does offer space to explore military history as part of broader historical processes.

At the end of the World War II unit, students absorb the stark reality of loss through a chart titled “World War II Deaths,” where towering bars represent military and civilian fatalities across nations. Some graphs spotlight smaller countries with staggering percentages of population loss, while the mention of Holocaust victims lingers as a footnoted reminder, deferred for another lesson.

Despite being far from battlefields, educators can still teach them effectively by adapting key elements of the staff ride. Cecily Zander shares how she taught the Battle of Gettysburg in Texas, offering creative strategies for immersive learning.

Tired of teaching through a Western lens? This personal narrative follows one historian’s shift toward global military perspectives—and the conference that changed everything.

One well-intentioned assembly missed the mark. Here’s how a veteran engagement project went wrong and what it taught about meaningful student connections.

If you’re a secondary teacher, chances are you already teach military history—you just haven’t called it that. This post affirms your work without piling on more.