st class before the exam. that you should already be studying for. study guides are on blackboard. please, please start this weekend. also by the way, remember, both of the si's have posted when the review sessions are. first one is sunday. have a nice weekend. >> this afternoon on "real america," we feature trial by fire, a 1956 episode of the u.s. army picture narrated by paul newman. this marks the 70th anniversary of the world war ii battle of the bulge in the film chronicles the story of the 84th infantry division during the battle. including veterans are flexing on their experience. that is today at 4:30 p.m. on

c-span three. >> this year c-span is touring cities across the country, exploring american history. recent visit to lafayette and west lafayette indiana. you are watching american history tv, all weekend, every weekend, on c-span three. >> the development of canals and railroads was important to the early growth of lafayette. we visited the big depot to learn more about the role of transportation in the city's history. >> the first one got here from ft. wayne in 1843. moving the wabash river down to the ohio river and up to toledo. it was possible to go by canal boat for the entire distance. it was possible to go up to new york city or any place on the great lakes. that was significant because

this was a transfer point. the farmers to bring their grain . there were animals that could be processed here, there were various packing plants here that could transfer those products, the slaughtered animals, the packing in the grain canal boats and later onto the railroad to finish off the canal. trains came in the 1850's prior to the civil war, putting us into contact with chicago toledo, new york, and the great lakes. of course, southwest down to new orleans. the way that they were located they went right to the center of town. once the group went directly north and south on 5th street to the north, crossing the wabash river. the other ones came through at a diagonal.

alongside was the southwest, so those trains went diagonally across the city. you had one set of tracks, as you will see with hospitals on either side. you had to have fire stations on either side and you had to have excuses for why you relate. ultimately you begin to see railroad cars being built here at the shops and at one time the largest employer in the county was in louisville, where they move their shops from down there at new salem. railroad cars were being built here. lafayette's location was near the river and had resources for the people with a significant bunch of enterprising people. those are all the reasons that lafayette became significant. >> find out where the c-span local content vehicles are

going, next, online at c-span.org/local content. you are watching american history tv, all weekend, every weekend. >> today at 6:30, "project runway" cohost, tim gunn hosts a discussion on holiday decorations and traditions at the white house, including lyndon b. johnson and chief usher, gary walters. you're on the c-span three american history tv. >> each week we help to tell the story of the 20th century. >> 70 years ago, 1944, the german army launched