Pearl Harbor Bombed

61 years ago today Pearl Harbor was bombed in a surprise attack by the Japanese. This is event drew the United States into WWII. The day after Pearl Harbor was bombed, President Roosevelt appeared before Congress and said, "Yesterday, December 7, 1941-- a date which will live in infamy-- the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan." Following that speech, the Senate voted 82 to 0 for war against Japan and the House of Representatives approved the resolution 388 votes to 1. Three days later Germany and Italy delared war against the United States.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VqQAf74fsE

Check out the video above. It includes actual footage of President Franklin D. Roosevelt addressing Congress the day after the bombing of Pearl Harbor.

Back Off England!

Today in history, December 2, 1823, President James Monroe introduced the Monroe Doctrine to Congress. The first 5 people to post facts and information about the Monroe Doctrine in the comments will receive extra credit!

Articles of Confederation Adopted Today!

November 15, 1777 the Second Continental Congress approved the Articles of Confederation which were the beginnings of the U.S. Constitution.

Pride in Our Heritage. Honor in Our Ancestors.

Did you know that November is Native American Heritage Month? George H. W. Bush designated November 1990 "National American Indian Heritage Month". While we still have continued to celebrate Native Americans and their history in the month of November past 1990, there is still no legal national holiday specifying November as a national holiday.

The purpose of Native American Heritage Month is to honor the original inhabitants of these lands and their influence on other world cultures over the years. They have contributed in the areas of agriculture, medicine, mathematics, government, economics, and so much more! Use the link below to find specific examples of contributions made by Native Americans.

http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=3748131

Do you think that "Native American Heritage Month" should be a national holiday recognized by Congress? Use the comment box to tell me your answer and explain why or why not.

Which 8th Graders Want Extra Credit?

The U.S. Constitution was written by 55 very different men. Which Founding Father are you most like? Take the quiz below to find out...

http://www.constitutioncenter.org/FoundersQuiz/

The only way to earn points for this Extra Credit assignment is to take the quiz and respond by commenting on the blog by Friday November 20th. I have provided an example!

2009 Veterans Day

"A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself."
Joseph Campbell

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wK0T4pVHP28

Tomorrow, November 11, we celebrate Veterans Day! Did you know that Veterans Day has been a national holiday for over 50 years? U.S. President Woodrow Wilson first proclaimed an Armistice Day in 1919 in remembrance of the signing of the Armistice (treaty) that ended World War I. Congress later changed the name from Armistice Day to Veterans Day in 1954.

In our 8th grade U.S. history class, we have been learning about the 13 colonies and their struggles for freedom in the Revolutionary War. We read the colonists' Declaration of Independence in which they fought for their unalienable rights to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness". Let us remember the colonists who helped to fight for our freedom in 1774 and the men and women that continue to protect our freedom today that we so often take for granted.

What do you think the Joseph Campbell quote above means?