Marian Anderson 125, February 27, 2022

listal.com

Contralto Marian Anderson was born 125 years ago today, on 27-February-1897. I have seen other dates mentioned. During her career she broke many color barriers. She is most famous for her 1939 concert in Washington, DC. The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) refused to let her sing before an integrated audience in Constitution Hall. First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and her husband took up the cause and arranged for her to sing from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial on 09-April-1939. My grandmother and two oldest aunts joined with the First Lady and resigned from the DAR. The DAR later repudiated its position.

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier -- September 1, 2021

Washington Evening Star, 11-November-1921

I went to Good Shepherd School in Pacifica and talked to Junior High kids about the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. They are participating in a DAR essay contest on the subject. I talked about the background, of honoring people who died in wars, and how the industrial war of World War One required bigger memorials. They asked good questions.

400th Anniversary of the Voyage of the Mayflower -- September 19, 2019

www.listal.com

Monday I went to Good Shepherd School in Pacifica and talked to Junior High kids about the "400th Anniversary of the Voyage of the Mayflower." They are participating in a DAR essay contest on the subject. I talked about how the Mayflower and the Pilgrims were not very important in US history but became a major cliché in the 19th and 20th Centuries. I talked about how the kids should think about their senses when they write their essays, especially smell. It was fun, and they asked good questions. After, I was very tired.

The Women’s Suffrage Campaign -- September 17, 2018

Dearborn Independent, 24-September-1918

Today I went to Good Shepherd School in Pacifica and talked to Junior High kids about the topic of the current DAR essay contest, inspired by the upcoming centennial of the Nineteenth Amendment, which gave women in the US the right to vote. I gave them background on voting rights over the years since the Constitution went into effect. They listened and they asked some good questions.  Now I'm tired.

Remembering the War to End All Wars -- August 28, 2017

New York Tribune, 11-November-1918

Today I went to Good Shepherd School in Pacifica and talked to Junior High kids about the topic of the current DAR essay contest, inspired by the upcoming centennial of Armistice Day: if you were living at the end of the war, what effect would it have on your life?  I talked about the effects the war had on peoples' lives.  I pointed out that we had been at war all their lives, but it didn't have much of an effect because, from the US point of view, they are all limited wars.  I talked about total war, mobilization, propaganda, censorship, 100 percent Americanism, conscription, influenza and suffrage.  I also pointed out that in 1918 they didn't call it World War One.  People were hoping there would not be another one. 

100th Anniversary of the National Park Service -- September 19, 2016

San Francisco Call, 24-June-1913

Today I went to Good Shepherd School in Pacifica and talked to Junior High kids about the topic of the current DAR essay contest, inspired by the Centennial of the National Park Service, taking a trip with their family to a national park.  I talked about the history of national parks and the National Park Service.  I talked about ways to make a more interesting essay that would catch the attention of readers.  I had extra time with the 6th graders, so I talked about making the trip from what is now Pacifica to Yosemite in 1916.  They were amazed that it would take a train, a streetcar, a ferryboat, a train, probably an overnight stay in Merced, another train and a bus.  

A Colonial Family's Reaction to the Stamp Act -- September 17, 2015

Today I went to Good Shepherd School in Pacifica and talked to Junior High kids about "A Colonial Family's Reaction to the Stamp Act." They are participating in a DAR essay contest on the subject. I talked about the background of the French and Indian War and the Stamp Act.  I told them I couldn't talk about what people did about the Stamp Act, but I could give them a list of interesting names and terms that they could look up.  I gave them James Otis, Jr and boycott and Committees of Correspondence and things like those.  It was fun, and they asked good questions.  After, I was very tired. 

A Child's Journey Through Ellis Island 2 -- October 2, 2014

Exhibitors' Herald, 28-May-1921

Today I went to Saint Anthony-Immaculate Conception School in San Francisco and talked to my daughter's 5th grade about "A Child's Journey Through Ellis Island." They are participating in a DAR essay contest on the subject. I talked about the skills involved in writing a good essay and targeting it to your audience. I gave them background on US immigration history and nativist reaction to immigration. We talked about who they were travelling with, how they would get to Ellis Island and what would happen on the island. It was fun, and they asked good questions. After, I was very tired.   When I got home, I had to work on a production problem. 

Alice Brady was the daughter of theatrical impresario (great word) William A Brady.  She was a popular actress in silent and sound films.  She played Carole Lombard's mother in My Man Godfrey.  In the lost film The Land of Hope, she played a Russian immigrant who arrived at Ellis Island. 

A Child's Journey Through Ellis Island -- September 20, 2014

Exhibitors' Herald, 28-May-1921

Today I went to Good Shepherd School in Pacifica and talked to grades 6-7-8 about "A Child's Journey Through Ellis Island." They are participating in a DAR essay contest on the subject. I talked about the skills involved in writing a good essay and targeting it to your audience. I gave them background on US immigration history and nativist reaction to immigration. We talked about who they were getting, how they would get to Ellis Island and what would happen on the island.   It was fun, and they asked good questions.  After, I was very tired. 

Alice Brady was the daughter of theatrical impresario (great word) William A Brady.  She was a popular actress in silent and sound films.  She played Carole Lombard's mother in My Man Godfrey.  In the lost film The Land of Hope, she played a Russian immigrant who arrived at Ellis Island. 

Children During the American Revolution -- September 12, 2013

Today I went to Good Shepherd School in Pacifica and talked to grades 6-7-8 about Children's Lives During the American Revolution. They are participating in a DAR essay contest on the subject. I talked about how they will be writing a lot of essays in junior high, high school and college, so it important to practice certain skills:
Analyze.  Study the topic/question.  Make sure you understand the words.  Looking up the words you know and use every day might give you an idea of what to write about.  I asked if anyone there was a child.  Then we discussed the definition of "child."
Angle.  I said the person who reads the essay for the DAR might have to read hundreds.  How can you make yours stand out?  Look for a unique angle.
A___.  I said I'd fill that one in later.  After I finished, I said it was "Amuse."  If someone has to read hundreds of essays, they'll remember yours if you find a good story or anecdote to tell.

It was fun, but I am tired. 

Unsung Heroes -- September 11, 2012

Today I went to Good Shepherd School in Pacifica and talked to grades 6-7-8 about unsung heroes of the Revolutionary War. They are participating in a DAR essay contest on the subject. They had trouble with the idea of an unsung hero.  I asked if there was such a thing as a sung hero.  I told them how cultures used to make songs about their great heroes.  I mentioned Gilgamesh, the Iliad and the Odyssey, the Aeneid, Beowulf and the sagas.  I talked about different groups and people from each group who are not famous.  One example was Joseph Louis Cook, Akiatonharónkwen, a man of mixed African and Mohawk descent, who led the Oneidas on the side of the Patriots. The sketch "Colonel Louis of the Oneidas" is by John Trumbull. This was the fourth year I have talked to the 8th graders.  I enjoyed the experience, but I'm very tired.