Across the pond

"Teaching is the royal way to learning." Jessamyn West

Archives de Catégorie : HISTORY

Famous quote

“FAILURE IS NOT AN OPTION.”

“On April 11th, 1970 the Apollo 13 lunar module launched into space on a routine mission; however, for the three astronauts on board, this mission would veer far from plan. While in flight, an explosion caused damage to the spacecraft and depleted the oxygen supply of the crew. Through the miraculous efforts of those at ground control and the strength and courage of the flight crew, all were safely returned to Earth.

This bring them back alive attitude, as expressed in flight director Kranz’s words to his staff, “Failure is not an option,” is indicative of the spirit of HUMAN ACHIEVEMENT !”

by the Kennedy Space Center, Florida, USA

The Civil Rights movement in the USA

The Civil Rights movement took place in the 1950s and 1960s in the USA.

African Americans set up  a national campaign for EQUAL RIGHTS.

In order to protest against inequalities between white Americans and African Americans, they organized boycotts by refusing to buy particular products.

In 1961, groups of black and white people from Northern US rode together in buses in the Deep South (the most southern states of the south-east US : Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina and eastern Texas) as protest against segregation on public transport there. They were called the FREEDOM RIDERS.

In Southern States, the policy of SEGREGATION consisted in forcing African American to use separate schools, restaurants, hotels, cinemas etc, from those used by white Americans. 

If you want to learn more about segregation, how the movement was triggered and about freedom riders , you should watch this video :

 

Watch Freedom Riders on PBS. See more from American Experience. 

In 1963, there was a march to Washington led by Martin Luther King (the most important leader of the Civil Rights movement). At the Lincoln Memorial, he made his famous ‘I have a dream’ speech.

    

 

Nowadays, new Civil Rights Museums Emerge in the USA, read and learn about them HERE.

J. Edgar

  • J.Edgar Hoover was born in 1895 and died in 1972.
  • He developped the FBI (the Federal Bureau of Investigation) which is a US government police organization that investigates national crimes. The FBI is also responsible for the safety of the country against international enemies. 
  • J.Edgar Hoover directed the FBI for almost 50 years which made a very powerful man.

 

Here are interesting articles to learn more about the film :

 

 

July 4th / INDEPENDENCE DAY

HISTORICAL LANDMARKS

  • By the mid 1700′s, British settlers had established 13 colonies on the east coast stretching from Maine to Georgia.
  • These 13 colonies are still represented on the American flag by the thirteen red and white stripes.
  • A growing opposition to the British Crown (George III) and to the British taxes led to the first conflicts between British soldiers and Americans especially in Lexington , Massachussetts.
  • This conflict triggered the American revolution (1773-1783)
  • On July 4, 1776, the leaders of the 13 colonies signed THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE.
  • This DECLARATION was mostly written by Thomas Jefferson but among those who signed were : Benjamin Franklin, John Adams and John Hancock.
  • The DECLARATION asserted American independence from the British crown and American sovereignty.
  • No wonder this date appears on the tablet the Statue of Liberty holds in her left hand

ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS SENTENCES OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE

” We hold these truths to be self-evident : that all men are created equal ; that they are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights ; that among those are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

INDEPENDENCE IN THE USA

  • INDEPENDENCE is a major value in the American way of life and the American way of thinking.
  • American kids are encouraged to become independent at early age throughout the educational system or at home. For example, they learn it through “sleepovers” at each other’s houses or when they get their driving licence as early as 16.

INDEPENDENCE DAY IN TODAY’S AMERICA

  • Nowadays Indepence Day is a uniquely American holiday which is observed nationwide.
  • It is celebrated on July 4th.
  • It is a way for the Americans to exhibit their patriotism and also to come together to reaffirm their identity and unity.
  • To commemorate this date, everything is in red, white and blue.

  • Family and friends gather to enjoy barbecues or picnics : they usually eat hot dogs, hamburgers and apple pie considered as the patriotic foods of choice !

  • There are outdoor concerts, processions and  fireworks and one of the most famous is the one displayed in New york. Check this out !

Image de prévisualisation YouTube

  • Of course the tune you’ll be most likely be hearing on that day is :

The Star Spangled Banner !

Image de prévisualisation YouTube