February is Black History Month. To celebrate, watch the video to learn about Ronald E. McNair, the second African-American astronaut in history. The video comes from StoryCorps, a great website you can use to practice your listening skills.
After you watch the video once or twice or three times, click on the “Take the Quiz!” button below to test your understanding:
This Monday is an official U.S. holiday – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Martin Luther King was a civil rights leader and preacher, and one of the most important people in American history.
From Simple English Wikipedia:
Martin Luther King, Jr. (January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968) worked hard to make people understand that black people should always be treated equally to white people. He gave speeches and led rallies to encourage African Americans to protest without the need for violence.
One peaceful strategy was for African Americans to have sit-ins. This is where they would sit in a restaurant seat that was supposed to be only for white people. They would politely ask for some food and refuse to leave until someone gave them food. Another strategy that King used was leading boycotts. This is where people would refuse to buy goods or services from people who did not treat white people and black people the same.
Dr. King was born in the Atlanta area on January 15, 1929. He first began to be well-known in 1955 when he led a protest against the way black people were segregated on buses. At that time they had to sit at the back of the bus, separate from white people.
In 1963, a civil rights march in Washington, DC happened that made King even more famous. It was officially called the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. It was held on August 28, 1963. The final speaker was Martin Luther King, Jr. He made his legendary “I Have a Dream” speech which was heard throughout the world.
Here is Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” Speech:
99 years ago this Saturday, Francis Scott Key wrote the lyrics to the national anthem of the United States, “The Star-Spangled Banner.” It describes a battle during the War of 1812.
The national anthem is usually played or sung before sporting events like football or basketball games, and on other important national holidays.
You can listen to “The Star-Spangled Banner” and read the lyrics at the same time:
O say can you see
By the dawn’s early light,
What so proudly we hailed
At the twilight’s last gleaming,
Whose broad stripes and bright stars
Through the perilous fight,
O’er the ramparts we watched,
Were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets’ red glare,
The bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night
That our flag was still there;
O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave,
O’er the land of the free
And the home of the brave?dawn = early morning
hailed = saluted
twilight = early evening
gleaming = glowing
broad = wide
perilous = dangerous
o’er = over
ramparts = walls
gallantly = bravely, impressively
glare = brightness
bursting = exploding
star-spangled = decorated with stars
From Cleveland.com:
Did you know the following facts?
• The Fourth of July was not declared a national holiday until 1941.
• The stars on the original American flag were in a circle so all the Colonies would appear equal.
• Benjamin Franklin thought the turkey was a better choice as the national bird than the bald eagle.
• The number of Americans who will spend the holiday at other people’s homes is approximately 41 million.
• The first official Fourth of July party was held at the White House in 1801.
• Approximately 150 million hot dogs are consumed on this day.
• Presidents John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and James Monroe all died on the Fourth. Adams and Jefferson died on the same day within hours of each other in 1826.
• The percentage of American homes with an outdoor grill is 87 percent.
• The amount of chicken purchased the week before the holiday is 700 million pounds.
• The Declaration of Independence was signed by 56 men from 13 colonies.
• In 1776, there were 2.5 million people living in the new nation. (Today there are 311 million.)
• There are more than 30 towns nationwide that have the word “Liberty” in their names.
University Settlement is 126 years old. It has been helping people on the Lower East Side and New York City as a whole for a long time.
Below you can see the cover of a book about University Settlement. It’s called Legacy of Light. The first part was written by University Settlement CEO Michael Zisser, and the second part was written by author Jeffrey Scheuer. It’s a nice desciption and history of our organization – and it’s got great pictures, too. To read it, click on the image below, or click here.
This Monday is an official U.S. holiday – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Martin Luther King was a civil rights leader and preacher, and one of the most important people in American history.
From Simple English Wikipedia:
Martin Luther King, Jr. (January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968) worked hard to make people understand that black people should always be treated equally to white people. He gave speeches and led rallies to encourage African Americans to protest without the need for violence.
One peaceful strategy was for African Americans to have sit-ins. This is where they would sit in a restaurant seat that was supposed to be only for white people. They would politely ask for some food and refuse to leave until someone gave them food. Another strategy that King used was leading boycotts. This is where people would refuse to buy goods or services from people who did not treat white people and black people the same.
Dr. King was born in the Atlanta area on January 15, 1929. He first began to be well-known in 1955 when he led a protest against the way black people were segregated on buses. At that time they had to sit at the back of the bus, separate from white people.
In 1963, a civil rights march in Washington, DC happened that made King even more famous. It was officially called the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. It was held on August 28, 1963. The final speaker was Martin Luther King, Jr. He made his legendary “I Have a Dream” speech which was heard throughout the world.
Here is Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” Speech: