The USS Arizona Memorial is the final resting place for many of the battleship's 1,177 crew members who lost their lives on December 7, 1941. The Memorial commemorates the site where World War II began for the United States. Visitors experience history through the national memorial's program tour, museum, and wayside exhibits.
The memorial offers tours, exhibits, a film, and educational programs.
As President, Franklin D. Roosevelt led the United States through the trying times of the Great Depression and World War II. The Memorial serves as an enduring tribute to Roosevelt's presidency.
The memorial hosts special events throughout the year. The website offers historical information about Roosevelt and his presidency, a calendar of events, and general visitor information.
The site focuses on Lincoln's life in Kentucky. The Birthplace Unit demonstrates his humble beginnings with a symbolic birth cabin enshrined within a neo-classic Memorial Building. The Boyhood Home Unit at Knob Creek Farm was home to Lincoln during his formative years. Events in Kentucky helped mold a young boy into the man who became the nation's 16th President.
The site offers a short film, exhibits, tours, educational programs, and occasional recreational and educational events (including living history events).
Gathland State Park was once the home of George Alfred Townsend, a noted Civil War journalist. Today, it is the site of a unique collection of buildings that Townsend both designed and constructed, some of which have been restored. In addition, the park is home to a monument dedicated to war correspondents and includes part of the the South Mountain battlefield. The Appalachian Trail also traverses the park.
The park offers tours, exhibits, occasional Civil War reenactments, and a variety of outdoor activities including hiking and backpacking. The website offers an events calendar, visitor information, and a history of the park.
At Monument Hill, a crypt and granite monument honor the men who died in the 1840s Dawson Massacre and Black Bean Death Lottery. The nearby Kreische House and Brewery preserve the life and work of Heinrich L. Kreische and other early European immigrants who settled the area.
The sites offer tours.
Professor Edward T. Linenthal discusses the similarities and differences in cultural reactions to the events of September 11, 2001, and the aftermath of the Oklahoma City terrorist bombing of April 19, 1995. He explores the co-construction of narrative and memorial process in light of considerations for the World Trade Center and a memorial at the site.
The bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln's birth was celebrated in 2009. This year, 2011, marks a related sesquicentennial. Sesqui? What's that? It means "one and a half," and a sesquicentennial marks something's 150th anniversary. In 1861, 150 years ago as of April 12, Confederates fired on Fort Sumter, SC, and the American Civil War began.
Historical sites, museums, societies, and other organizations have been gearing up to celebrate this anniversary for months, if not years—and as educators you can take advantage of their materials and events.
Looking for digitized primary sources? Downloadable lesson plans? Interested in planning a field trip? Your state (as well as your local community) may have new resources available, or in development, for you.
Many states have chosen to make the sesquicentennial an official affair, overseen by a committee or commission recognized by the governor. The websites created by these groups vary widely in quality, but they're a good starting place for exploring the sesquicentennial. Many include timelines, calendars of events, digitized primary sources, educator sections, directories of historic sites, discussion forums, and other resources. The following states have publicized their sesquicentennial preparations online:
What states aren't here? Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming do not currently have state Civil War commissions. Illinois may have one forming, and Louisiana may have one that has no web presence.
Ask your students to think about this list. Why might these states not be celebrating the sesquicentennial? The answer for some of them should be clear—they weren't states at the time! Yet textbooks emphasize disagreement over whether slavery should extend into the territories as one of the causes of the Civil War, and history certainly didn't stop happening in these regions during the war.
Consider giving your students a state. Maybe you want all of them to study your own state's Civil War history. Ask them to look at how your state is commemorating the sesquicentennial. What Civil War sites are located in your state? Are they preserved? What was happening in your state in 1861? How much of its history in that year was driven by the Civil War? Were there major events that seemed unrelated to the war? What events seem to be talked about most often in your textbook and the resources about your state's 1861 history that you can find? What events are given very little space? Does your state have a history of celebrating Civil War memorials? What kind? Have celebrations changed over time?
You might also give each student a different state. Include wildcards, like Hawaii and Alaska, that weren't even territories at the time. Have them research 1861 in their state histories. What was happening in each state (or the areas that would become their states)? How much was related to the Civil War? Were there events that your students think deserve commemoration (even if they weren't related to the war)? Have them put together a theoretical sesquicentennial commemoration for their state, celebrating the year 1861. Remind them that events don't have to be Civil War-related!
If you've looked through the sesquicentennial websites above and can't find resources to suit your needs, try searching our Website Reviews. We've visited more than 300 websites with resources on the years 1850–1877, and annotated all of them.
However you want to approach Civil War history, chances are good you'll find a site with relevant resources cataloged here.
Associate Curator of Textiles and Historic Interiors at Colonial Wiliamsburg, Kim Ivey, discusses the fad for mourning art following the death of George Washington in December 1799.
To listen to this podcast, select "All 2009 podcasts," and scroll to the January 26th program.
The San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site holds a significant responsibility to preserve the history of the State of Texas and the United States. The famous Battle of San Jacinto that brought Texas its independence was fought on this site. Because of the great importance of the battle to the course of history, the battleground is of state, national, and international significance, a fact that is attested to by the site's National Historic Landmark status. The primary purpose of the 1,200-acre site is to commemorate the battle and to preserve the battleground on which Texan troops under General Sam Houston achieved the independence of Texas by defeating a Mexican army led by General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna on April 21, 1836.
A second website related to the battleground, maintained by the Friends of San Jacinto, can be found here.
The site offers a multimedia presentation and occasional recreational and educational events (including living history events).
In 1948, the battleship Texas became the first battleship memorial museum in the U.S. That same year, on the anniversary of Texas Independence, the Texas was presented to the State of Texas and commissioned as the flagship of the Texas Navy. In 1983, the Texas was placed under the stewardship of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and is permanently anchored on the Buffalo Bayou and the busy Houston Ship Channel.
The site offers tours and occasional recreational and educational events.