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History- 1.26

Identify and describe the events or people celebrated during the following national holidays, and examine why we celebrate them:

Martin Luther King Jr Day

Presidents' Day

Memorial Day

Independence Day

Columbus Day

Veterans' Day

Thanksgiving Day

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This board will help you learn all about the different national holidays we celebrate and why. Have fun exploring and learning along the way! Follow the directions in the directions board!

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Here are your directions for the board and read closely!

1. Start with Martin Luther King Jr.

2. Next check out Presidents' Day.

3. Then head to Memorial Day.

4. After that, go to Independence Day.

5. Next, head to Columbus Day.

6. Almost done! Go to Veterans' Day.

7. Lastly, check out Thanksgiving Day.

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Visit this website and answer these questions:

1. Who does this holiday celebrate and honor?

2. In Martin Luther Kings first major role in the Civil Rights movement, who was he sticking up for?

3. What was the title of the famous speech Martin Luther King Jr gave?

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Meet the civil rights leader in our Martin Luther King facts and discover how he changed history for millions of African-American people during the Civil Rights Movement...
Martin Luther King facts

Full name: Michael King Jr.
Born: 15 January 1929.
Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
Occupation: Minister and activist.
Died: 4 April 1968.
Best known for: Campaigning for the rights of African Americans during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s.

1) Martin Luther King Jr was born in the United States of America to African American parents. At birth he was named Michael King, but his father later changed his name to Martin Luther King Jr.

2) When Martin Luther King was growing up, life was hard for African Americans. The Southern United States operated under the 'Jim Crow laws' that kept black and white people separated in what was called 'segregation'. Black people had different schools, toilets and even sections of the bus to white people. They were also denied the right to vote in elections.

3) Martin Luther King had his first experience of segregation at just six years old, when he was told he wasn't allowed to play with his white friend anymore - his friend's father wouldn't allow it!

4) His first major role in the Civil Rights Movement came in 1955, after an African American lady - Rosa Parks - was arrested for refusing to give up her seat to a white man on a bus. This sparked outrage in the African American community and Martin helped to organise a boycott of the city's buses. After 381 days of protest, a court finally ruled that such segregation laws should no longer be recognised.

Did you know that we have a FREE downloadable Martin Luther King primary resource? Great for teachers, homeschoolers and parents alike!

5) Martin was a great believer in peaceful protest, inspired by the Indian activist Mahatma Gandhi. His protests used no-violent tactics, even when the protesters themselves were met with violence from the police.

6) In 1963, Martin gave his famous "I Have a Dream" speech, at a famous rally named 'March on Washington.' Over 250,000 people gathered in the country's capital to hear Martin and other activists speak about the importance of civil rights. It has become one of the most famous speeches in history and focuses on Martin's dream of a society where black people and white people live together in harmony.

7) In 1964 - 99 years after the abolition of slavery - the Civil Rights Act was passed, outlawing racial segregation and discrimination in the USA.

8) In October 1964, Martin won the Nobel Peace Prize! He was told over the phone whilst he was in bed suffering from exhaustion - it had been a long, hard fight for civil rights!

9) Tragically, Martin Luther King Jr was assassinated in 1968 in Tennessee, where he had given a speech the day before. He was standing on the balcony his hotel when he was shot. James Earl Ray was convicted of his murder and spent the rest of his life in prison, despite claiming to be innocent. James died in 1998.

10) Martin Luther King Jr is remembered for his tireless work during the Civil Rights Movement and his dream that one day everyone would be treated as equals. A statue built in his memory now stands in Washington D.C. and each year, the third Monday in January is celebrated as Martin Luther King Jr. Day, an American federal holiday.

Want to know more? Check out Nat Geo Kids' and Nelson Mandela articles to learn about the vital work of these incredible activists.

What do you think of our Martin Luther King facts? Let us know by leaving a comment, below!

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Martin Luther King facts | National Geographic Kids

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Learn about the world-famous civil rights campaigner in our Martin Luther King facts. Born in Atlanta, Georgia in the United States of America, Martin Luther King is famous for campaigning for the rights of African Americans during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s and his assassination in 1968...

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https://wljt.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/43c3ae84-c685-4828-9d7e-1c8fc09cad3f/presidents-day-all-about-the-holidays/

Visit this link and watch the video!

Answer these questions:

1. When is Presidents Day?

2. What did Presidents Day start out as?

3. Who does Presidents Day celebrate now?

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For this board, I would like for you to research Veteran's Day for yourself and write down 4 interesting facts you find about it. Have fun!

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Martin Luther King Answers:

1. Martin Luther King Jr

2. Rosa Parks

3. I have a Dream

Presidents Day Answers:

1. Third Monday in February

2. George Washingtons' Birthday

3. All the Presidents

Memorial Day Answers?

1. It honors those who have died while serving in the US military.

2. Visit cemeteries and memorials and place American Flags by their graves.

Independence Day Answers:

1. July 4th.

2. Declaration of Independence

3. Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson

4. Pursuit of Happiness

Columbus Day Answers:

1. It celebrates the landing of Christopher Columbus in the Americas in 1492.

2. Some think the arrival in America led to the mistreatment of Native Americans.

3. Answers may vary.

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Read and watch the video in this article. Then, answer the questions.

1. When is Independence Day?

2. What did a committee of men get together to write that declared us free?

3. Name two of the men that made up this committee.

4. Finish this quote: "Life, liberty and the __________________."

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Americans celebrate July 4 as Independence Day. Look at the map to see when and how other countries celebrate their independence.

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Read this article and answer these questions!

1. Who does Memorial Day honor?

2. How do people honor them?

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Memorial Day is a national holiday in the United States. It is also a state holiday in many states. The holiday honors troops who have died in past wars like World War I and the Korean War. Memorial Day was first held in 1865 after the American Civil War. It was called Decoration Day at that time. The holiday was first called Memorial Day in 1882, and became a federal holiday in 1967. On June 28, 1968, the United States Congress made a law that said that the official Memorial Day holiday is May 30, but that Memorial Day was to be observed by Federal Employees as a paid holiday on the last Monday in May. Memorial Day is thought of by many Americans as being the start of summer.

Images for kids

Confederate Memorial Monument in Montgomery, Alabama

"On Decoration Day" Political cartoon c 1900 by John T. McCutcheon. Caption: "You bet I'm goin' to be a soldier, too, like my Uncle David, when I grow up."

Memorial Day observances in small New England towns are often marked by dedications and remarks by veterans, state legislators, and selectmen.

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Memorial Day is a national holiday in the United States. It is also a state holiday in many states. The holiday honors troops who have died in past wars like World War I and the Korean War. Memorial Day was first held in 1865 after the American Civil War.

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Read this article and answer the questions:

1. What does Columbus Day celebrate?

2. What is an issue found with this holiday in the late 1990's?

3. What is your opinion on the holiday of Columbus Day after reading more about it?

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Columbus Day is an American holiday. It celebrates the landing of Christopher Columbus in the Americas on October 12, 1492. The holiday used to be celebrated every October 12, but that was changed in 1971. Columbus Day is now celebrated every year on the second Monday in October.

Americans have been celebrating the anniversary of Columbus's landing since at least 1792. During the last half of the 1800s, October 12 was celebrated in cities with large numbers of Italian Americans. Since Columbus was Italian, they wanted to honor his achievement. In 1937 it became a national holiday. Columbus Day is often marked by public ceremonies and parades that often include floats depicting the ships of Columbus.

The 500th anniversary in 1992 led some people to reflect on the meaning of the holiday. Many Americans object to Columbus Day. They think the arrival of Columbus and other Europeans led to the mistreatment of Native Americans. Alternative celebrations, such as Indigenous Peoples Day, have been suggested.

In Latin America, Columbus's landing is observed as Día de la Raza ("Day of the Race" or "Day of the People"). This is a celebration of the culture that developed over the centuries as native cultures melded with Spanish culture.

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Columbus Day is an American holiday. It celebrates the landing of Christopher Columbus in the Americas on October 12, 1492. The holiday used to be celebrated every October 12, but that was changed in 1971. Columbus Day is now celebrated every year on the second Monday in October.

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For this board, I want you to begin by researching the history of Thanksgiving. See why and how it all began.

After you do so, visit the link above. One thing you will read is that we can practice showing gratitude by asking and answering the question, "Who are you grateful for?"

Today, we are going to write a letter to someone we are thankful for. Grab a letter off the back table and begin.

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Happy Thanksgiving! Explore articles and activities focused on gratitude and together-time with family.