History Classroom - Weekly Programming Update

	TV Shows This Day In History Videos Games Shop
	• History of Labor Day: Short videos and background information • 50 Years Later: March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom • HISTORY Classroom programming: Clash of the Gods: Beowulf, Monday, September 2 at 6am/5c • HISTORY Classroom programming: Making the 9/11 Memorial, Monday, September 9 at 6am/5c • 102 Minutes That Changed America, Wednesday, September 11 at 9/8c
	HISTORY Classroom is now on Twitter! Look for us at @HistClassroom, where we will be sharing information about our classroom initiatives, programs and activities!
	History of Labor Day: Short videos and background information Every year, Americans celebrate Labor Day on the first Monday in September. But what is the history behind this holiday? During the second half of the 19th century, growing industrialization meant that workers labored for increasingly long hours, often for low pay. In response, they organized labor unions, strikes and protests to achieve better working conditions and wages. Events such as the Homestead Strike of 1892 focused national attention on the issues workers faced. Many unions had started a tradition of celebrating "labor day" during September. This tradition was formalized by the U.S. government when Labor Day became a federal holiday in 1894. Throughout the 20th century, workers made strides to ensure fair treatment on the job. Today, we continue observe this holiday in honor of the workforce. Read more about the history of Labor Day. Short video: The History of Labor Day Short video: The Fight to End Child Labor Photo Gallery: Labor Day (Note: The National Archives has an excellent Photo Analysis Worksheet for students to engage with what they see in photos. This resource would be useful for analyzing many photos on History.com.)
	50 Years Later: March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom This week, people worldwide celebrate and honor the 50th Anniversary of the historic March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Organized by civil rights groups, the Washington, D.C. rally was attended by over 200,000 Americans who gathered from across the country to support a call for equality and civil rights for African Americans. At the march, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his iconic "I Have a Dream" speech which galvanized the civil rights movement. Dr. King, along with many other speakers, performers and marchers asked that the nation live up to the democratic ideals of freedom and equality outlined in its founding documents. Watch related videos and read more about the March on Washington. Great short video for the classroom: Bet You Didn't Know: March on Washington National Park Service: Teaching With Historic Places Lesson Plans The National Park Service has excellent lesson plans entitled Teaching With Historic Places which uses properties listed within the National Park Service's National Register of Historic Places to enliven history, social studies, and other subjects. Visit http://www.nps.gov/nr/twhp/topic.htm#civil to view Teaching With Historic Places lesson plans related to the Civil Rights Movement, and find additional resources at the Teaching With Historic Places website.
	HISTORY Classroom programming: Clash of the Gods: Beowulf Monday, September 2 at 6am/5c The epic poem Beowulf is one of the most widely read works in the English language. Clash of the Gods: Beowulf explores the significance of this classic epic, investigating how and why this tale of heroism has been so widely read for generations. As the Beowulf epic continues to capture the imagination of readers, historians and archaeologists have searched for physical evidence that might confirm whether or not a real-life Beowulf existed. Radio carbon testing, archaeological excavations and careful analysis have unearthed new information regarding the context in which the story was created and why these Norse myths have prevailed. This program examines these new dimensions to the Beowulf epic, and provides an excellent visual companion to this landmark text. Curriculum Links: Clash of the Gods: Beowulf would be useful for History, English Literature and Global Studies courses, and for course units on mythology and literary theory. It is appropriate for 8th grade students and above. View the classroom guide.
	HISTORY Classroom programming: Making the 9/11 Memorial Monday, September 9 at 6am/5c Due to some sensitive language and content, teachers should watch it before showing it to students. In the wake of the 9/11 attacks, Americans from all walks of life joined together to rebuild the area around the World Trade Center. As time passed, a huge decision loomed at the site: what was the best way to memorialize and pay tribute to those who lost their lives? This 1-hour HISTORY special is a behind-the-scenes exploration of the process of constructing the 9/11 Memorial, from its inception through its installation. An architect named Michael Arad was the winner of a worldwide competition to design a memorial for the site. Arad’s design, entitled “Reflected Absence” is situated on 8 acres of land near the Twin Towers site, with two waterfalls cascading into reflecting pools below the surface of the ground. Bronze parapets at the site are inscribed with the names of those who lost their lives on 9/11 and in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. This program gives students an opportunity to reflect on the significance of 9/11 through the eyes of those who conceptualized and created this meaningful memorial. Curriculum Links: Making the 9/11 Memorial would be useful for U.S. History, Current Events, Social Issues, and Politics courses and for activities related to 9/11 commemorations. It is recommended for 9th graders and above. View the classroom guide. View the 9/11 Infographic, short videos and more.
	102 Minutes That Changed America Wednesday, September 11 at 9/8c Due to sensitive content, it is recommended for mature high school students and college students. As the events of September 11, 2001 unfolded in New York City, some witnesses were frozen with shock, some helped others, and many ran as fast as they could from the growing disaster. Many onlookers also grabbed their video cameras to record history as it happened; despite the chaos and danger, many people kept their cameras rolling throughout the catastrophe. 102 Minutes That Changed America is a special presentation which runs without commercial interruption, retracing the events of that tragic morning through real-life camera footage from more than 100 individual sources. This documentary presents educators and their students with an excellent opportunity to reflect upon the events of September 11th, the role of the professional media and amateur journalists, and the on-going ramifications of that tragic day. Curriculum Links: 102 Minutes That Changed America would be useful for History, American Studies, Journalism, Media, and Politics courses. It would also be appropriate for September 11th commemorations and activities. View the classroom guide. View the 102 Minutes That Changed America Interactive.