Category: American Culture

Madison Square Garden!

US Adult LiteracyLeave a comment

The World’s Most Famous Arena – Madison Square Garden (MSG)

Did you know that the famous arena, MSG, hasn’t always been in its current location on 34th street?

Did you know that it could move again?

Before the current day Madison Square Garden, which was completed in 1968, there were actually three other Madison Square Gardens.

The construction of the original Madison Square Garden was  completed, and MSG I was open for business in Manhattan  in 1871.However, it wasn’t open for long before a new Madison Square Garden was built.

In 1890 the second Madison Square Garden opened on the same site as the original.  Once again, this Madison Square Garden was not open for long before yet another Garden was built, now the third different Madison Square Garden within 60 years. 

The third Madison Square Garden, completed in 1925, took under a year to build.

  

Madison Square Garden III was the first Madison Square Garden that was not located near Madison Square Park, It was located on Eighth Avenue between 49th and 50th Streets in Manhattan.  People from all over came to see Madison Square Garden for sports and entertainment, like the prior ones, but this Garden became extremely popular very quickly.

Lastly, the current day Madison Square Garden opened in 1968.  All of the Madison Square Gardens had a big impact on the culture of New York City, even though they were not all on the same site. The MSG that we know today has a lease that expires this year- in 2023! There have been talks about whether it will move, but so far, no decision has been made. Who knows? Maybe the next MSG will be in the Lower East Side!

Resources: 

Madison Square Garden (1925) – Wikipedia

Madison Square Garden – History of New York City (shu.edu)

Madison Square Garden Facts & History | MSG | Official Site

Share this:

MLK Jr. Day

US Adult LiteracyLeave a comment

What is Martin Luther King Jr. Day?

It is an American holiday to celebrate the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

King was born on January 15, 1929, in Atlanta, Georgia.

Who was Martin Luther King Jr.?

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was born in Atlanta, Georgia in the United States in 1929. At that time in America, black people didn’t have the same rights as white people. Black people had to sit in the back of buses. The schools were separated by skin color and there were even separate public restrooms for black people and white people. This was called segregation. Black people’s lives were not very good.

Martin Luther King Jr. Leads March for Civil Rights

Martin Luther King Jr. was a minister in the Baptist Church. He fought against racial segregation. He wanted equal rights for all people, but he didn’t use violence in his fight. He asked people to fight peacefully. For example, he asked black people to ride in the front of the bus. More than 200,000 people went to Washington D.C. to listen to him speak and ask the government to change unfair laws.


Photo of Dr. King

Because of Martin Luther King Jr., many laws began to change in the United States. But many white people disagreed with him and his ways. In 1968, Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated(1) by a white man.

Dr. King was assassinated in 1968. Just 15 years later, in 1983, then President Ronald Reagan signed this holiday into U.S. law. People first observed(2) the holiday three years later, in 1986. At first, the holiday was not popular with all American states. Some didn’t like the name and so they called it “Civil Rights Day”. However, in the year 2000, all 50 states observed the holiday using its correct name. The musician, Stevie Wonder helped the campaign(3) for the holiday. He released(4) a famous song called “Happy Birthday” in 1980. The song made millions of Americans aware of the campaign. Six million people signed a petition(5) for the American Congress to create the holiday. It is still the largest petition in U.S. history in favor of an issue.

Check out Stevie Wonder’s Happy Birthday song here!

Many African-Americans also sing this song during birthday celebrations!

Resources:

Martin Luther King, Jr. (5minuteenglish.com)

ESL Holiday Lessons: English Lesson on Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Vocabulary:

(1)  To assassinate – verb – to kill someone important or famous

(2)  To observe – verb-  to obey a law, rule, or custom

(3) Campaign– noun- a plan with of a number of activities directed toward reaching a goal 

(4) To release– verb– to make a product available for the public to buy, often with a celebration;

(5) Petition– noun– a document signed by a large number of people demanding or asking for some action from the government

Share this:

Winter Holidays Expressions!

US Adult LiteracyLeave a comment

Holidays times call for a holiday lesson on English idioms and phrases! It is likely that throughout December you will hear more idioms and phrases related to the upcoming winter holidays – Christmas, New Year’s, Chanukah, Diwali, and Kwanzaa.

Below is a list of 5 holiday expressions you might hear, with examples.

  1. Happy Holidays!

 This is a super common phrase that you’ve probably already heard!

 We usually say Happy Holidays in December because it includes everyone’s holidays in just one greeting! 

Instead of trying to figure out who does and doesn’t celebrate Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanzaa, Diwali and the New Year, you can simply say Happy Holidays to wish everyone a happy holiday!

When someone says Happy Holidays to you, you can respond with a cheery (1) “Thank you! Happy Holidays!”


  1. The more, the merrier!

This phrase is excellent if you love to host (2) parties with lots of people.

The more, the merrier is usually used in response to someone asking if they can invite an extra guest.

For example:

Christian: Alex, Thank you for inviting me to your New Year’s Eve party! Can I invite my boyfriend?

Alex: Yes of course! The more the merrier!


  1. A scrooge/a grinch

This phrase is based on 2 famous holiday stories. Both Scrooge and The Grinch are angry or grumpy (3) characters in the stories. 

If someone calls you a scrooge or a grinch, they are calling you an unkind person who hates the holidays!

For example: 

Izzy: Can we listen to Christmas music?

Tina: No, I hate Christmas music!

Izzy: Ugh! Don’t be such a grinch!

  1. Ring in the New Year!

To ring in the new year means to celebrate the end of the year and the beginning of the new year.

For example: I don’t want to go out on December 31st. I just want to ring in the new year with my friends and family this year! 

  1. Get into the holiday spirit!

Getting into the holiday spirit means that you finally feel excited about the holiday season. You feel the “spirit” or the energy of the holidays!

For example: I bought all of my Christmas gifts, and I watch a Christmas movie every night while I drink hot chocolate. I’m really getting into the holiday spirit!

Source: English Holiday Idioms, Expressions & Other Common Phrases – Ellii Blog

cheery (1) adj. happy 

to host (2) verb. to have guests over 

grumpy (3) adj.to be In a bad mood

Share this:

Fifth Avenue for All- Holiday Season in NYC!

US Adult LiteracyLeave a comment

Arguably, the best time of the year in NYC is here! It’s finally the holiday season. The holiday season in New York City is famous for many reasons. Visitors from all over the world come to see the famous Rockefeller Christmas tree, Rockette Christmas Spectacular, and window displays on Fifth Avenue.

 

With the excitement of the holidays, come large crowds. It can be hard to comfortably enjoy the holidays and the scenery within the small confines of the city blocks.

For this reason, the mayor is trying something new this year! The new open streets program, called Fifth Avenue for All, closes nine blocks, from 48th to 57th streets, on Dec. 4, Dec. 11 and Dec. 18. No cars will be allowed in that area on those days from noon to 6 p.m.

The goal, according to the association, is to provide a “one-of-a-kind holiday experience for families and sightseers of all ages” as the Big Apple looks to continue its post-pandemic recovery during the busiest shopping season of the year.

Don’t miss the oversized red holiday mailbox at 51st Street, which will collect letters to Santa. These letters will be mailed to “The North Pole” and sent replies.

Also coming to Fifth Avenue on those three Sundays: food kiosks, seating areas and live music.

Source:

5th Avenue Goes Car-Free From Rockefeller Center to 58th in December: What to Know – NBC New York

Share this:

It’s Fall in New York City!

US Adult LiteracyLeave a comment

Autumn, also known as Fall to many Americans, is one of the best times to be in New York City!

We all know the seasons, so let’s learn a new word,

“Foliage”.

Fall Foliage to be specific!

The noun “foliage” (pronounced: Fole-EE-edge) means – plant leaves collectively.

So when you imagine “fall foliage”, you may imagine the photo below:

Luckily for us, this beautiful scene is right here in New York City!

Whether you’re a plant lover, or not, checking out the fall foliage around NYC can be a fun free activity for the whole family. (or a romantic retreat!)

Take a look at these 5 fall foliage spots to check out in New York City!

  1. Fort Tyron Park in Washington Heights!
    Fort Washington Ave at Cabrini Blvd

    2. Prospect Park in Brooklyn

    Eastern Pkwy, Brooklyn, NY 11238

    3. Central Park, Manhattan

    Central Park Lake, Near 74th street and Central Park West

    4. Alley Pond Park, Queens

    Union Tpke, Oakland Gardens, NY 11364

    5. Greenbelt Nature Center, Staten Island

    700 Rockland Ave, Staten Island, NY 10314

    My favorites are Central Park and Alley Pond Park!
    If you have been to one the parks above, let us know in the comments!

    Happy Fall!


    Share this:

    Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

    US Adult LiteracyLeave a comment

    Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (AAPI Heritage Month) is an annual celebration that recognizes the historical and cultural contributions of individuals and groups of Asian and Pacific Islander descent to the United States. AAPI Heritage Month 2022 will take place from Sunday, May 1 to Tuesday, May 31.

    Why the Date of AAPI Heritage Month is Significant

    The month of May was chosen for AAPI Heritage Month because it commemorates the immigration of the first Japanese people to the United States on May 7, 1843. May is also a significant month because it recognizes Golden Spike Day, May 10, 1869, which marks the completion of the transcontinental railroad that was built with significant contributions from Chinese workers.

    Anti-Asian Racism

    Since their immigration to the United States, Asians have been met with xenophobia, racism, bias and violence. Chinese workers were abused, robbed and murdered in San Francisco in the 1850s. In 1854, the California Supreme Court ruled in People v. Hall that people of Asian descent could not testify against a white person in court, meaning that white people could avoid punishment for anti-Asian crimes. 

    During World War II, from 1942-1945, people of Japanese descent were incarcerated in internment camps across the nation. In 1982, Chinese American Vincent Chin was murdered by two white men in Detroit because they believed Asians were taking auto industry jobs from whites. In March 2021, a man shot and murdered six women of Asian descent at three spas in the Atlanta area.

    At the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, racist and xenophobic rhetoric about the origins of the virus led to a spike in anti-Asian racism and violence, with AAPI people of all ages and cultures being verbally and physically harassed and murdered in cities across the United States. As a response to the rise in anti-Asian violence, the AAPI Equity Alliance, Chinese for Affirmative Action, and the Asian American Studies Department of San Francisco State University launched the Stop AAPI Hate coalition on March 19, 2020. The coalition tracks and responds to violence, hate, harassment, discrimination, shunning and bullying of AAPI people.

    AAPI Heritage Month 2022 commemorates the victims of the 2021 spa shootings along with all other Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders who have been lost to anti-Asian violence during the pandemic and throughout history.

    from history.com

    Share this: