"No. Ms Jessica didn't mention it. You know, she didn't have the little holiday tag on the calendar either.. i wonder why. Maybe she didn't know" (please take no offense to this Jessica. He frequently thinks that adults really do not know common things and he blames it on our bad teachers).
So we talked about why today is an important day to remember. I got out our Usborne book,
"the world wars" (with internet links to tons of info!) and looked up Pearl Harbor.
We read the section on it... I learning right along with him and having trouble answering some of his questions about why we were called the Allies... And who the Axis was. And.. why countries are called "her/she".
So let's be honest (as i have to admit since my sister may call me out on it!)... i think this is only the 2nd year that i actually know why today's date is important. not because i never heard of pearl harbor, i knew "generally" what happened. but the date certainly did not stick. nor did the significance. (on a side note, my sister has been quizzing me for years about this as she finds history interesting... and i just could never get it straight.. the date & it's not the same as d-day.) I swear i did well in American History... but for the life of me I can't remember even being IN that class!
I do not want my kids to be like me in that respect.
we are in fact, a military family. that has really shaped me as an adult into wanting to know and respect history. so basically i learn right along side Garrett who finds it fascinating. Not only that, but i have an intimate understanding of the sacrifices made by the brave men and women and their families. I think back and remember about choking when my mom suggested going to Washington DC, Gettysburg, Thomas Jefferson's home... (the list goes on) for vacation. The first time i remember feeling any allegiance really is during Desert Storm. I remember realizing that it was a big deal. people were dying. and of course.. the 7th grade spring choir show was dedicated to the armed forces. we sang all the branches' songs. and recently garrett's choior show for Veteran's day did just that...
I'm hoping to instil the importance of history and the respect for our country.
tonight we listened to FDR's speech after Pearl Harbor .... i don't think i ever heard it!
FDR speech
...along with many radio clips from KDKA (Pittsburgh!) announcing the news and reports from Hawaii. It is such a stark difference from what we have today, where we expect up to the minute reports. funny, it was probably more accurate then.
it was a good lesson. so the question i have is why isn't it a "tag" on the calendar charts?? lol!
It's great you're rising to the occasion to fuel G's need for more info on historical events. This *was* an important happening and it's kind of arbitrary what days we choose to include in wall calendars and to celebrate at school, isn't it? You get to create your own calendar at home, and that's what's important.
ReplyDeleteYou are such a good mom!! Keep it up!
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