Tag: History

Welcome to the curious calendar anomaly that is the leap year, a year that occurs every four years to balance our earthly orbit and keep our calendars running smoothly. This quirk in timekeeping has fascinated cultures through the ages, sparking unusual traditions, mathematical conundrums, and scientific discoveries. In this deep dive into leap year lore, […]

The Lunar New Year also known as “Spring Festival” in some areas, is the observance of the new year using the lunisolar calendar. It’s traditionally celebrated in several Asian countries such as China, South Korea, Tibet, and Vietnam, not to mention diaspora communities of Asian descent in the US and all around the world. The […]

“Independence Day” or “July 4th” — two names for the patriotic holiday set aside for the commemoration of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. On that day, the Continental Congress put the original 13 colonies in motion toward the creation of a new nation — the United States of America. That’s certainly […]

Every March, people around the world celebrate the bravery, determination, leadership, and accomplishments of important women who have shaped history during Women’s History Month. These women come from all walks of life, races, ages, and religions, and have overcome major obstacles to achieve their goals. Each day, they inspire people both young and old to […]

February is designated as Black History Month in the United States. This special time gives people across the country the opportunity to showcase and celebrate the many achievements and contributions of Black and African Americans.  Why Was February Chosen for Black History Month? On September 9th, 1915, Carter G. Woodson, an alumnus of the University […]

Whether you are a homeschool parent or providing after school enrichment for your children, you are no stranger to the common question, “Why do I have to study history?” A main tenet of education is that children grasp and retain concepts better when they feel that what they are learning is relevant. Students may believe […]

Each Fourth of July, our nation celebrates independence from Great Britain. Did you know our nation has a second holiday dedicated to freedom? Juneteenth is a day designated to honor and commemorate the end of slavery in the United States. On June 19, 1865, federal troops finally reached one of the deepest parts of the […]

The history of Presidents Day is a bit of a brain teaser. It began as a celebration of George Washington’s birthday, which is February 22, 1732, but during most of the 1800s, it was simply an unofficial observance. In the late 1870s, it became a federal holiday when Senator Stephen Wallace Dorsey of Arkansas proposed […]

Why do we celebrate Black History Month in our homeschool? It all started with a momentous trip to New York City that we took when my boys were both in the middle school grades of our homeschool journey. Since we live somewhat rurally, the whole of the trip was an eye-opener, but our walking tour […]

Theodore Roosevelt was the youngest president to serve and an extraordinary one. He worked very hard to improve the quality life for the average American. Born and raised in New York, Roosevelt was homeschooled, then went on to attend Harvard University and then later studied Law at Columbia. He entered the politics field afterwards, becoming a part […]

June 14 is Flag Day in the United States. It is a day set aside to celebrate the adoption of our country’s most recognizable symbol. Many nations have a dedicated day to honor their flag, and in the U.S. we chose this date because our flag was first adopted on June 14, 1777. Students are […]