Loads of quirky, cool, and astonishing historical facts, including famous Americans, American firsts, the U.S. government, and forgotten ideas and plans.
Loads of quirky, cool, and astonishing facts about some of the world's greatest inventions.
Enter the world of the weirdest sports records! From the largest dodgeball game to the fastest round of golf, this book has it all.
Introduces the history of money and discusses its development from items such as shells and furs to legal tender; features a glossary; and lists resources to explore the subject further.
The Emancipation Proclamation, issued by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863, declared all Confederate slaves to be free. Because the order only applied to Southern states that the Union did not control, few slaves benefited immediately. However, many see the historic document as a key turning point in the U.S. Civil War and in the movement to abolish slavery.
Explore the colorful customs, people, and places of South Dakota. With straightforward text and captivating photos, this book is a great introduction to the state. Maps and symbols are included to enrich the student's understanding of geography and state identity.
The first enslaved Africans landed in North America in 1619 to begin a life of forced, unpaid labor, harsh living conditions, and cruel treatment. The Southern economy grew dependent on slave labor, and the terrible institution was not abolished until after the American Civil War. Although slavery ended almost 150 years ago in the United States, its legacies of racism, prejudice, and the struggle for equal treatment persist today.
Introduces the Greek god Hermes and explains his importance; features well-known Greek myths about this god; and includes map of ancient Greece and family tree of the Greek gods.
Introduces the Greek goddess Hera and explains her importance; features well-known Greek myths about this god; and includes map of ancient Greece and family tree of the Greek gods.
Introduces the Greek god Hephaestus and explains his importance; features well-known Greek myths about this god; and includes map of ancient Greece and family tree of the Greek gods.
Born into slavery, Frederick Douglass was struck by the unfairness and cruelty of slave life and escaped as a young man to the North. A skilled speaker and writer of Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, Douglass became a fierce fighter for the end of slavery and later led the early civil rights movement.
La Llorona (The Crying Woman) is a sad and haunting tale from Mexico. Parents have told the story for hundreds of years to misbehaving children and to guard against vanity. Some say the story is about Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés and a native Mexican woman who served as his translator. Her loss can be compared to the loss of native Mexican culture after the Spanish conquest.
The 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln was killed by an assassins bullet on April 15, 1865. Lincoln preserved the union of the nation, but after the Civil War he struggled with Congress and the people over Reconstruction. Despite the war and political strife, Lincolns life and legacy touched the hearts and souls of millions then as it does today. This play draws from the writings of many of those people and from Lincoln himself.
Slavery in the United States became illegal in the 1860s. Before that, many slaves found their way north by following the Big Dipper, or the Drinking Gourd as they called it. Our story begins in 1880 with Old Ellie and Old Sam, two escaped slaves who share their brave story along the path to freedom called the Underground Railroad.
In the early 1800s, white settlers and missionaries were intent on bringing the English language to the illiterate Native Americans. Sequoyah was intrigued by these leaves of paper with strange marks that talked. Doing what no one had ever done before, Sequoyah set about creating a written Cherokee languagehelping preserve the tribe's history and culture even today.
In 1845, Frederick Douglass's first autobiography became a bestseller. Many readers could not believe that such a brilliant writer was ever a slave. When Douglass wrote the book, slavery had not yet ended so he kept secret how he escaped from Maryland. By 1881, the Civil War had ended slavery and Douglass felt the time was right to reveal how he escaped. This play is adapted from Douglass's own words from The Life and Times of Frederick Douglass.
Most people take it for granted: riding a bike. In the late 1800s, the bicycle first came to the United States from Europe. This new "steel horse" was wildly popular. But for women, who either worked in factories or stayed at home, the bicycle liberated them like nothing ever has. One two-wheeled invention changed fashion, opened doors, and led to a movement in women's rights still felt today.
France wanted to show its support of American democracy by giving the country a gift for the centennial. This gift would become the Statue of Liberty. Reading Essentials in Social Studies.
This book looks at the geography, history, resources, and people of the West region of the United States. Reading Essentials in Social Studies.
Begins with a factual overview of the War of 1812 and then continues with a fictional story centering on Sophie Turner and her father. The Turners are slaves owned by President James Madison and his wife, Dolley. Reading Essentials in Social Studies.
The first monarchies date back to about the time civilization began. Many existing monarchies have survived for centuries. The monarchy of Great Britain is more than 1,000 years old. Reading Essentials in Social Studies.
This book introduces pioneer pilots Otto Lilienthal, the Wright brothers, Roland Garros, and Anthony Fokker. Flying aces such as the Red Baron, Albert Ball, and Edward Mannock are also discussed. Reading Essentials in Social Studies.
This book looks at the geography, history, resources, and people of the Midwest region of the United States. Reading Essentials in Social Studies.
This book looks at the geography, history, resources, culture, and people of China. Reading Essentials in Social Studies.
Jonah Robinson wanted to entice people to South Dakota, so he proposed building a monument out of a mountain. Robinson found Gutzon Borglum, a talented sculptor who took on the incredible task. Reading Essentials in Social Studies.
