Posted by
mrsbooks on Tuesday, July 22, 2008 9:00:00 PM
One of my favorite authors is David McCullough. His thorough research and passion for American history has sparked me to learn more about this great country. He remarks in Parade, June 22, 2008, that U.S. history is in danger because "For at least 25 years, we've been raising young Americans, who are, by and large, historically illerate. History has not just been pushed to the back burner, it's been pushed off the stove." Yikes, that quote refers to my generation too. I graduated in 1987. So I'm a part of a generation that wasn't taught good American history.
And I can attest to that. I vaguely remember in 9th grade U.S. history that my teacher tried to make it interesting to us. But he really didn't take it beyond the textbook. He had passion for American history, but he had a difficult time translated that to hormonal 15-year olds. And, truth be told, at that time, I didn't care either. But my dad could make history come alive.
My dad would talk about current events with the locals who ate at his restaurant. He'd discuss history and politics. He made history interesting. My mother also loved history, although she'd rather speak about Shakespeare, King Henry VIII, and Queen Elizabeth. But these discussions and passions that my parents' had were seeds that dropped on me as an adult.
Finally, my grandfather explained what patriotism was. It was 1976, and my family and I were participating in Revolutionary War reenactments. It was fun, and I learned a lot. My grandfather's favorite presidents were George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. He explained who they were and why they were his favorite presidents.
What can be done now? Again, I always go back to the parents, but in the U.S., you do have more control over your children's education than you think you have. Instead of a week lounging at Disney World or at the beach, go take day vacations to your local city and state seats of government. Read (or listen to audiobooks) books on American history from historians like David McCullough and Doris Kearns Goodwin. Study and then translate this history to your children as you ride in a car or sit around the dinner table. Before visiting places, research them by going online with your kids and researching the old fashioned way, at the library.
Finally, check out what's being taught in school. You have a right to review your children's textbooks. Do that. Make sure that they're learning real history, not revisionist drivel. Sit down with your children and go through the history books together. Read the captions and sidebars. Look up historical figures during the time period that your kids are studying in school and add that for discussion at the dinner table. You make history come alive, and your kids will absorb it with you. Try it!