As American holidays go, Columbus Day is unique. Unlike our other civic celebrations, Columbus Day commemorates an event that occurred centuries before the United States was even a nation. With the holiday just two weeks away, explore our free ebook with stories, speeches, and songs about Columbus—and the themes of exploration, immigration, and the New World.
On September 25, 1493, Christopher Columbus began the second of his three famous voyages of discovery. Almost one year after his trailblazing first voyage, Columbus sailed from Cádiz with 17 ships, bound for the Caribbean.
Thought Columbus Day had already passed? Well, you would be right to think so–but did you know that for much of its history Columbus Day was celebrated on October 12? As we noted in our history of Columbus Day, it was on the morning of October 12, 1492, that the lookout on the Pinta first saw the New World. In 1866, Italian-Americans in New York City marked the day–October 12–by celebrating … Read more »
As we celebrate Columbus Day this weekend (read our history of the holiday, here), take a look at this poem by Edward Everett Hale that provides a great example of how to use poetry and literature to teach about the American holidays.
Hale, whose short story “The Man without a Country” is featured here, was a Unitarian minister and anti-slavery activist, was a prolific author of stories, essays, and … Read more »
Distinguished scholar-teachers Amy and Leon Kass demonstrate how short stories, speeches, and songs can be used to enhance civic education and how a pedagogical approach that stresses learning through inquiry can make primary sources come alive for students of all ages.
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“What a wonderful collection of American songs, speeches, and stories. It should be valuable for teachers, students, parents, and readers of all kinds.”
— Diane Ravitch