History is the study of past events and times and its connection with people. It is a record of important events.
Reasons to study history:
History tells us what humans have done and shows us what it means to be human.
History improves our judgement since we can learn from the past. This helps us make decisions in the present and future.
History inspires us. It encourages us to be brave, strong, adaptable, and have humor in our lives.
History helps us to be better thinkers in our ability to organize and interpret information and to reason and solve problems.
History shows us to understand others and find common ground with other people from around the world.
History gives us stories that entertain and teach us about people and places from the past.
Statue of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty is in New York City, United States. It is a large statue of a robed female representing Libertas, the Roman Goddess. She carries a torch and a tablet evoking the law which has the date of the American Declaration of Independence (July 4, 1776) written on it. The Statue of Liberty was a gift of friendship from the people of France to the United States and is recognized as a universal symbol of freedom and democracy. The Statue of Liberty was dedicated in 1886.
Victorian England
The Victorian era was a period of time between 1837 and 1901 in England when Queen Victoria reigned. Around 1840, Duchess Anna of Bedford started afternoon tea which was a small meal between lunch and dinner. It usually included tea, cakes, scones, sandwiches, and crumpets. This afternoon tea became popular with many people in England in all social classes. People would usually have tea time in the garden, dining room, or parlor and use their best china, silver, and linens.
President
A president is the leader of a country. Countries with democratic goverments usually vote for presidents. In the United States, presidential elections are held every four years. The President of the United States of America is the head of state, head of the United States government, leads the executive branch of the federal government, and is the commander-in-chief of the US Armed Forces. In 1789, George Washington became the first US president.
Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace is the London residence and main workplace of the reigning monarch of the United Kingdom. Monarchy is a form of government in the UK in which a king or queen is head of state. Buckingham Palace is used to receive and entertain guests on state, ceremonial, and official occasions. The core part of Buckingham Palace was built in 1703 as a house for the Duke of Buckingham. The changing of the guard is a ceremony where the old guards hand over responsibility for protecting Buckingham Palace to the new guards.
The Great Depression
The Great Depression was an economic decline that began in 1929 in the United States. Around that time there was a stock market crash. It affected countries worldwide. The Great Depression involved bank closures, high unemployment, decline in business, difficulty for farmers, homelessness, hunger, and people feeling discouraged. Many people searched for work and some traveled to different places by train to try to find jobs. The Great Depression lasted until the late 1930s.
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a fight between the United States and the British Empire. It was partly because of disagreements over shipping and trade on the seas, and the U.S. involvement in foreign affairs. There were also battles against Native Americans over land in the west. Some of the battles of 1812 occurred at sea and some on land in Canada and the U.S. The war ended in 1814 with the Ghent Treaty to stop fighting.
The early 1900s
The early 1900s were the first years of the 20th century. There was fast economic growth and wealth. The United States became a world leader in its economy, industry, and agriculture. Railroads, cars, trolleys, factories, mining, labor unions, and film making were important. The Wright brothers flew the first airplane in 1903.
The Enlightment
The Age of Enlightment was a cultural movement of the 18th century in Europe and centered in France. During the reign of Louis XIV of France from 1643-1715, France was the leading European power. The Enlightment was led by philosophers and focused on thinking and reasoning. The 18th century was an age of elegance and wigs were popular. There was a rise in wealth, capitalism, and scientific knowledge.
Native Americans
Native Americans were the first people to live in the Americas before Europeans like Columbus arrived in 1492. Different tribes and cultures lived in different areas. Some of the largest tribes are the Navajo, Cherokee, and Sioux. Native Americans lived off the land by gathering food, planting crops like corn, and hunting animals for food, clothing, and shelter. Some Native Americans were moved to reservations as Europeans colonized the Americas.
Hawaii
Polynesians were the first known settlers of Hawaii who arrived sometime in the 8th century. In the 18th century, American traders came to Hawaii. In 1894, the Republic of Hawaii was established as a US protectorate. During World War II in 1941, there was an attack on Pearl Habor on the US naval base in Hawaii. Hawaii became the 50th state of the US in 1959. A new US flag with 50 stars became official in 1960.
The Wild West
The Wild West occurred from 1865 to 1895. It involved the western United States during its frontier period. This period was famous for cowboys, native Indians, lawmen, pioneers, prospectors, gamblers, scouts, outlaws, gangs, and gunfighters. Some famous people of the Wild West were Wyatt Earp, "Wild Bill" Hickok, "Billy the Kid", Butch Cassidy, the Sundance Kid, and Jesse James.
1950s America
The word “boom” has been used to describe many things of the 1950s that occurred after World War II ended: the booming economy, the booming suburbs, and the baby boom. Middle-class people had more money to spend on homes, cars, and other consumer goods. Diners, drive-in restaurants, rock and roll music, and televisions were popular in the 1950s.
Girl Scouts
The Girls Scouts was formed in the United States by Juliette Gordon Low in 1912. She started the organization for girls in Georgia. It grew to a national and international group. Girl Scouts teaches girls about the outdoors, character, leadership, citizenship, business, community service, and other skills.
American Pioneers
The pioneers were the first people to settle in the frontiers of North America during mostly the 1800s. Many pioneers were farmers. They went west to live and use the land to set up homes and farms.
Colonial America
Colonial America occurred from 1607 to 1776 as Europeans sailed to America and set up colonies. The first colony was founded at Jamestown, Virginia in 1607. The 13 colonies were Virginia, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, South Carolina, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Georgia, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Delaware.
U.S. statehood
There are 50 states in the United States. The 13 original colonies received their statehood between 1777 and 1790. The rest of the US states joined between 1791 and 1959. The last 4 states to join were New Mexico and Arizona in 1912, and Alaska and Hawaii in 1959.