On this day in history, 1885, Mark Twain published his famous novel The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Learn more about Twain’s distinctively American sense of humor with a lesson plan for his short story, “The Man That Corrupted Hadleyburg” (1899), regarded by many as his most successful fiction after his two celebrated novels, Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn. After working through the lesson plan, watch WSPWH editors Amy and Leon Kass … Read more »
On August 12, 1898, the United States and Spain signed an armistice agreement, bringing an end to the Spanish-American War. The agreement, called the “Protocol of Peace,” marked a decisive American victory and signaled the transition of the US into a world power, with Spain relinquishing control over Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines.
Thanks to a new feature from Google, inquisitive history buffs have the opportunity to take a tour of Mark Twain’s home from the comfort of their desktop. Instead of traveling to the historic Hartford, Connecticut museum where Twain lived from 1874–91, users can enjoy a virtual walk-through free of charge.
Our latest NEH launchpad for EDSITEment is up! Take time this month to explore Mark Twain’s short story “The Man That Corrupted Hadleyburg,” which examines the role of enterprise, commerce, and virtue in a democratic society. And use Alexis de Tocqueville’s chapter on “The Principal Source of Belief among Democratic Nations” to understand the power of public opinion in the age of equality and individualism to … Read more »
On November 30, 1835, Samuel Langhorne Clemens (pen name Mark Twain) was born in Florida, Missouri, but he spent most of his childhood growing up in Hannibal, Missouri, where his family moved when he was four. Located on the Mississippi River, Hannibal provided the setting for the fictional town of St. Petersburg in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.
As a teenager, Twain worked as … Read more »
The latest issue of Smithsonian magazine has an article about Tom Sawyer, a fireman and saloon owner in San Francisco who Mark Twain befriended during his time in the city working as a reporter. According to Sawyer, Twain named his novel’s character after him. Speaking with a reporter in 1898–22 years after The Adventures of Tom Sawyer was published–Sawyer explained:
“You want to know how I came to … 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