The three branches are of the federal government are executive (the President and the White House), legislative (the House of Representatives and the Senate) and judicial (the Supreme Court.) Today we visit all of them, but our first stop is …[Continue]
In Pursuit of Tolerance
Edmund Burke, an eighteenth-century writer and philosopher said “The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.” If spreading tolerance and stopping hatred is important to you, the following sites offer both historical perspective …[Continue]
Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park in northern Wyoming, our country’s first National Park, is known for its spectacular geothermal wonders: mud pots, steam vents, hot springs, and roaring geysers. Every year the park accommodates more than four million visitors, yet it remains …[Continue]
Supreme Court
The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest court in the land, and the only court specifically created by the Constitution. It consists of nine justices, appointed for life by the President, who weigh in the meaning of …[Continue]
Conflict with Iraq
Twelve years ago, U.S. led air strikes drove Iraq’s armies out of Kuwait but left Iraqi President Saddam Hussein in power. Now we face another showdown with Hussein. The following sites, (some written expressly for students) explore the why’s and …[Continue]
Geography Games
The recent National Geographic – Roper 2002 Global Geographic Literacy Survey has shown us that only 36% of young American adults know which two countries are fighting over the region of Kashmir. And about 11% of polled Americans (ages 18 …[Continue]
Fire Safety
Fire Prevention Week is celebrated every October. Originally proclaimed as Fire Prevention Day in 1920 by President Woodrow Wilson, it commemorated the anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. In 1925, President Calvin Coolidge expanded the event to a …[Continue]
Alaska
When Alaska joined the Union in 1959, it was the first new state in forty-seven years. And although it is the largest state, it has a relatively small population; only Wyoming has fewer people. Alaska’s vast unspoiled wilderness is home …[Continue]
Pledge of Allegiance
“One nation, under God, with liberty and justice for all.” Do these words violate the religious freedom guaranteed by our Constitution? Last month a federal court declared the Pledge of Allegiance unconstitutional. Is this absurd? Or is this religious freedom? …[Continue]
France
On July 14, 1789, a huge crowd of Parisians captured the Bastille fortress, forcing King Louis XVI’s troops to withdraw. Bastille Day is a French national holiday (akin to our 4th of July) celebrating the birth of the French republic …[Continue]
