Comparing Firsthand and Secondhand Accounts

Khan Academy

This engaging educational video clarifies the distinction between firsthand (primary) and secondhand (secondary) accounts using the historical context of the Oregon Trail. Narrator David introduces the concepts through two contrasting books: a fictional travel diary from 1871 and a modern history textbook. By analyzing how each text describes the use of "buffalo chips" (dried dung) for fuel, the video demonstrates the unique characteristics of each source type.