The dark history of Mount Rushmore - Ned Blackhawk and Jeffrey D. Means
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TEDEd Animation
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Between 1927 and 1941, workers blasted 450,000 tons of rock from a mountainside using chisels, jackhammers, and dynamite. Gradually, they carved out Mount Rushmore. Today, the monument draws nearly 3 million people to South Dakota’s Black Hills every year. But its façade belies a dark history. Ned Blackhawk and Jeffrey D. Means explore the destruction of the sacred Six Grandfathers Mountain.
WatchThink 5 Multiple Choice &
3 Open Answer Questions Dig Deeper Learn More Discuss 1 Guided Discussion &
3 Open Discussions
3 Open Answer Questions Dig Deeper Learn More Discuss 1 Guided Discussion &
3 Open Discussions
Today, many works of art and monuments are being removed from public viewing because of questionable actions of either the artist or subject. Should Gutzon Borglum’s ties to the KKK be a factor in deciding the future of Mt. Rushmore?
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Meet The Creators
- Educator Ned Blackhawk, Jeffrey D. Means
- Director Anton Bogaty
- Narrator Jake Hart
- Composer Cem Misirlioglu, Greg Chudzik
- Sound Designer Cem Misirlioglu
- Director of Production Gerta Xhelo
- Editorial Director Alex Rosenthal
- Producer Bethany Cutmore-Scott
- Associate Editorial Producer Cella Wright
- Content Associate Abdallah Ewis
- Script Editor Alex Gendler
- Fact-Checker Jennifer Nam
