Wisconsin Family Council is pleased to introduce a new resource to help parents and teachers instill patriotism in their children and students. These ideas are taken primarily from How to Raise an American by Myrna Blyth and Chriss Winston, subtitled 1776 fun and easy tools, tips and activities to help your child love this country. [NOTE: Listing of websites does not necessarily imply Wisconsin Family Council's endorsement of their contents.]
December 1, 1955 - A milestone in the U.S. civil rights movement. Rosa Parks, a black seamstress in Montgomery, AL, was arrested after she refused to give up her seat to a white man.
December 12, 1787 - Pennsylvania became the second state to ratify the U.S. Constitution.
December 15, 1791 - The first ten amendments to the Constitution, known as the Bill of Rights, went into effect following ratification by the state of Virginia.
December 20, 1606 - The "Susan Constant," "Godspeed" and "Discovery" set sail from London. Their landing at Jamestown, VA, was the start of the first permanent English settlement in America.
December 25, 1868 - U.S. President Andrew Johnson granted an unconditional pardon to all persons involved in the Southern rebellion that resulted in the Civil War.
December 25, 1776 - Gen. George Washington and his troops crossed the Delaware River for a
surprise attack against Hessian forces at Trenton, NJ.
December 26, 1620 - The Pilgrim Fathers landed at New Plymouth, MA, to found Plymouth Colony, with John Carver as Governor.
December 31, 1862 - U.S. President Lincoln signed an act admitting West Virginia to the Union.
Talk to your children and students about the history of Veterans Day, originally Armistice Day that celebrated the signing of the truce between Germany and Allied forces that ended World War I on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, 1918. Armistice Day became Veterans Day under President Eisenhower in 1954 to honor all who had served in America's wars since World War I and in the following 50 years lost meaning for many. Since September 11 many have a renewed appreciation for and understanding of the sacrifice, "courage, duty and honor" of the US military and many schools and communities across the country honor veterans on this day.
Interview a veteran about his experience. Research the war in which he served.
Listen to music that was popular during different wars.
Check out a website that gives a battle-by-battle overview of each of our country’s conflicts (www.historycentral.com)
October
Columbus Day
(traditionally celebrated October 12—now celebrated the second Monday of October)
Talk to your children and students about the history of Columbus Day. It was once a day of great celebration, a time to honor a great explorer, visionary and adventurer. The Pledge of Allegiance was originally written in 1892 for school children to recite as part of the 400th anniversay of Columbus' voyage. Celebrations in every state were organized years in advance. In stark contrast, the 500th anniversary in 1992 was almost ignored and Columbus received more condemnation than praise for his actions.
Read a book about Columbus.
• Follow the Dream by Peter Sis (Knopf Books for Young Readers), ages 4-8
• Meet Christopher Columbus by James T. Dekay (Random House Books for Young Readers), ages 9-12
• Pedro's Journal by Pam Conrad (Scholastic), ages 9-12
For older children, check out the Columbus Navigation home page for the history, navigation and landfall of Columbus.
Make a special Italian spaghetti dinner or order pizza.
