December 7, 1941

A day which will live in infamy.  That was what President Franklin Roosevelt stated as he declared war on Japan. Sixty-seven years ago today, the world had changed, and the United States became involved in the greatest war ever known.  Over 2,ooo people, mostly American sailors died on that day, but they did not die in vain.  A sleeping giant was awoken, and the US became a part of the largest military invasion in history.  The Allies triumphed over the Axis powers of Germany, Japan, and Italy, only to usher in the era of nuclear weapons.  Although World War II began in 1939, the US remained neutral until the surprise attack 0n Pearl Harbor Hawaii around 8 in the morning.  The world was now at war, and America answered the call to aid those against fascism.  It is disappointing to know that the younger generation has failed to live up to the example of the World War II generation, when they stopped caring about what happened on this day. 

Ari

Nursery Rhymes

Many of the nursery rhymes we have grown up with are catchy, and we can recite them without even realizing the meaning behind them.  How many people really know that ring around the roses refers to the Bubonic plague, and that when people say ashes ashes, they are referring to the cremated bodies of the dead.  I found this really cool website that provides the historical backgrounds of our favorite nursery rhymes. Here is another example:

Mary Mary quite contrary, 

How does your garden grow?

With silver bells and cockle shells 

And pretty maids all in a row.

The Mary they are talking about is Mary Tudor, the oldest daughter of King Henry VIII, also referred to as "Bloody Mary."  She was a devout Catholic ruling a Protestant country, and a lot of Protestant officials were killed during her reign.  The garden in the rhyme is a graveyard, and it grew through executions.  Silver bells and cockle shells are symbolic for the various torture devices that were used on the victims.  Maids are short for "Maiden" which was the name of the execution device similar to a guillotine.  Unfortunately, unlike the guillotine one's head did not always get severed cleanly, so sometimes it took more than one whack.  Gruesome I know, but oh so interesting.

If you want to check it out for yourself here is the website:

www.rhymes.org.uk

Live big,

Ari

Remembering September 11th

It is crazy on how vividly I can remember that day seven years ago.  And I can't believe it has been seven years.  My oldest students were only 10 years old when it happened, and I realized that soon I will be teaching students who are going to be too young to remember that day.  Of course, I believe that this event needs to be remembered and taught to those who don't understand.  It saddens me that some day  the tragedy of 9/11 will be just another day, and go by unacknowledged by younger generations.  I believe that it is important to remember.

Live big, and love life,

Ari

Our History of Freedom

While doing my daily lesson planning, I have been doing a lot of research about the founding of our county, and the American Revolution.  While doing all this research I stumbled upon this really good PBS video series called Freedom: A History of Us. So far I only have episodes 1-4 of this 16 episode series, but I already am planning to incorporate them into my US history classes. What I like about this series is that so many famous people got involved and showed their support by promoting the importance of history.  Katie Couric narrates the video, but celebrities like Tom Hanks, Anthony Hopkins, and Brad Pitt lent their voices to narrate the writings of our American founding fathers, and colonists.  I am looking forward to viewing more of these videos as soon as am able to get them. So stay tuned.

=)

Ari

Dr. Seuss Goes to War!

I read an interesting article in my History magazine by Kathy Monahan, about the cartoons during World War II.  Famous characters such as Mickey Mouse and Bugs Bunny were used to aid the war effort at home. These familiar faces were used for a massive propaganda campaign that asked everyday Americans to buy war bonds, ration books, and to conserve fuel.  Disney and Warner Bros. even produced animated films to be shown to the servicemen during training.  Theodor Geisel, or more famously known as Dr. Seuss, was an active participant in using cartoons for the war effort.  Although, these cartoons at times could be racist, they were proven to be effective in the context of World War II.  This type of strategy would not work in today's society, especially with the war being fought now.  I agree with this article that today's cartoons are trying to educate the people, mostly the young children, through innovation and new technology.  I think it is more likely that Mickey Mouse would be going green rather than going to war.

D-day

Today is the 64th anniversary of D-day, or when the Allied forces invaded through Normandy.  It is such an unbelievable moment in our nations history.  It saddens to me to realize that those heroes will someday not be here to tell their stories.  It just stresses the importance of listening now, and learn as much as we can before lose the chance.  Let's hope that we learn from our history.

=) Ari

Dora A. Sorell

On May 14, 2008, my students and I were invited to hear Holocaust survivor Dora A. Sorell speak.  I gave my students the option to write a reflection on what they heard, and to include their reactions to Dora's story.  I thought I would add my own reflection, because I feel that I was privileged to be able hear her story.  Dora decided to share her story by writing a series of letters to her oldest grandchild, Miriam.  Later, those letters were published into her book, Tell the Children: Letters to Miriam, which I received a signed copy.  I have seen and heard a few other Holocaust survivors speak and they were good, but Dora really connected with the students.  She told jokes, made them laugh, and shared personal experiences that the students responded to.  Through Dora, I believe my students learned more about the Holocaust then I could have taught them, because I certainly learned a lot.  

The Patchwork Path

I am taking a children's multicultural literature class for my masters degree, and my instructor is having us read various children's books.  I just have to share this one book I recently read.  It is called The Patchwork Path by Bettye Stroud, and it is about a  young slave girl and how she used her mother's quilt to escape the South.  The quilt was stitched using symbols which was actually a map of the Underground Railroad, and the young girl and her father were able to escape to Canada.  The story is an adaptation of an oral history passed down in the family of Ozella McDaniel Williams, and mentions actual landmarks that were used in the Underground Railroad.  I just started this class, so I hope to blog about more interesting books.

=) Ari

The Other Boleyn Girl

I told my mom I was going to blog about the Other Boleyn Girl, so I think she will get a laugh.  For those who have not read the book or seen the movie, I would recommend reading the book, because you will experience a great story unfolding.  However, if you do not want to read the book, then see the movie and you will see a good story unfold.  I have read the book twice, and it gets better each time.  Although, it is not completely historically accurate it is a good fictional depiction of the Tudor and Boleyn families.  Not much is known about Mary Boleyn, the main character of the book, but I think Philippa Gregory built an engaging story line about the "other" Boleyn girl.  I had some issues with the movie, but I guess any film adaptations are never as good as the books.  The costumes were beautiful, but I feel that so much interesting information was left out.  If I had to rate the book I would give it 5 beheaded queens out of 5.  As for the movie, I would give it 3 out of 5.

=) Ari 

 

My trip to New Orleans

I just recently visited family in New Orleans, and I was so intrigued by its history.  I wanted to do and see everything. I visited the Oak Alley plantation, which is still a working sugar plantation.  However, the best part was learning that they filmed Interview with the Vampire at that location, which was like my favorite movie when I was in high school.  One of the highlights of my trip was my visit to the National World War II Museum.  I was able to share this experience with my mother, and I really appreciate her coming along with me on this momentous occasion.  I went picture crazy snapping shots of about everything.  I think my mother thought I was even crazier when I purchased an authentic World War II helmet, which I had to carry on the airplane.  It was neat that there were actual WWII veterans volunteering their time to share their experience with the many visitors that encountered them.  Of course I did not leave New Orleans without going to the French Quarter, and a stroll down Bourbon Street.  We went to see St. Louis Cathedral, walked through Jackson Square, and took pictures of Brad and Angelina's house.  I was very fortunate to have the opportunity to visit such a historical place, and I will forever cherish the memories.

=) Ariana

"Wild Bill"

"Remember, the past is a prelude to the future.  Teaches you how to go forward."

-William "Wild Bill" Guarnere

If you have not seen the mini series "Band of Brothers" I highly recommend it, because you get to meet one of the coolest American heroes to come out of World War II.  "Wild Bill" was quite the character, and I enjoyed his book "Brothers in Battle: Best of Friends" which is about his experience with the 101st airborne, along with his buddy Babe Heffron.  Their story is just one of the reasons why I love to learn about World War II, and why I continue to enrich my mind with books.  

Until next time!

=) Ariana

Why I love History?

I honestly don't know.  I just do.  I must love history, because I have based my entire career on this subject.  I am a history teacher, and I just started sharing my love and knowledge with the high school students I teach.  I do not expect them to love the subject I do, but I can only hope they begin to appreciate and respect past events that have shaped our world today, good or bad. It is funny for me, because even though history is old, I feel like I learn something new everyday.

=) Ariana