Wednesday, August 29, 2012

In the Mail: Social Studies School Service’s U.S. History Catalog


This morning’s mail featured the 2013 edition of the Social Studies School Service’s  U.S. History catalog. We urge our history teachers to order a catalog today, now that the school year is underway.

The catalog features over 120 pages of classroom materials for history education classrooms. These items include primary sources, AP U.S. History materials, maps, DVDs, PowerPoint presentations, charts and posters, games, simulations history readers and much more.

One of the new and noteworthy offerings is Active Classroom: lessons in U.S. History. This is a digital alternative to traditional textbooks. Go to this link to learn more

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

"The Year of Jubilee Has Come" 150th Anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation

Below is the text of an editorial by Rev. Samuel Chenery Damon. He was the publisher of The Friend, a monthly intelligencer in Honolulu. It refers to the Emancipation Proclamation by President Lincoln. It went into effect on January 1, 1863.

We at History Education Hawaii, Inc., call attention to the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation coming on January 1, 2013. As best as we have been able to find there are no official celebrations scheduled in Honolulu. We'd like to change that by joining with our partners and friends in Hawaii. The significance of the Emancipation Proclamation did not go unnoticed in the Hawaiian Islands.

Please contact History Education Hawaii at our email, historyeducationhawaii@gmail.com, or call 808-721-0306.

Historically yours,

Jeffrey Bingham Mead



The Year of Jubilee has come.
Source: The Friend, Honolulu. January 1, 1863
(Note: Proclamation text appears in the February, 1863 edition)

To-day-January 1st, 1863, -all the slaves in the rebel states of America are legally free, so declared Abraham Lincoln, as Commander-in-Chief of the military and naval forces of the United States. Near four millions are legally freemen to-day, who were slaves-chattel slaves-yesterday. What Congress could not do, neither the President as civil magistrate of the people, has been done by him as a military commander. Let no one of our readers imagine that we are so sanguine in our opinions, of short-sighted in our views, that we suppose the terrible struggle in America is about to cease. By no means, we are not sure as it has reached its acme. Conflicts in nations usually last in proportion in the length of time that the forces have been gathering, which give life to those conflicts. Now, as we read the history of America, two representative men –a Puritan freeman, from the yeomanry of England, and an African slave, from the coast of Africa-both landed in America in 1620. The one represented voluntary labor, and the other involuntary servitude. During more than two hundred and forty years they have been there at work. The question is now settled-shall freedom or slavery control the destinies of America? This is the question. The freemen of the North cast their vote for freedom. The slave-holders of the South, outvoted, unsheathed the sword, hence this struggle, fierce and bloody. The conflict could not be avoided. Anthony Trollope was right when he said the North must fight.

If there is anything which savors of puerility and childish gossip, it is to refer to the “Morrell Tariff,” or the antipathy of the Northern people to their Southern brethren, or of the Southerners to the Yankees, as the cause of the war. Other countries have their sectional differences far stronger, yet are living in peace. President Lincoln is right when asserting in his late Message, that slavery is the cause of the war. Could anything be more supremely silly than the position assumed by Bishop McCosky, of Michigan, in a sermon which he lately preached in Brooklyn, at the opening of the grave Assembly of the Triennial Episcopal Convention. The Christian Times, an Episcopal paper of New York, reports him to have made this statement, viz., that “our national calamities are all to be ascribed to the denial of the Apostolic Succession in the ministry of the church, and the rejection of the dogma of Baptismal Regeneration, the acceptance of which would go far to redeem us from the perdition to which we are hastening.”

The Editor, who is an Episcopalian, aptly remarks:

“More in sorrow than in anger, we pronounce this sermon an insult to the church; or, if endorsed by the church, then an insult from the church to the nation which protects it and guarantees it in all liberties, so that even such a sermon as this can be preached by one of its chief ministers.”

We cannot speak for others, but for ourself we can obtain views most satisfactory relating to the probably issue of the present struggle, by reading Hume, Alison, Hallam, Bancroft and other historians, who are deeply versed in the history of the Anglo-Saxon race and its branches. The Puritan element is more potent in the United States than some imagine. To suppose the leaders of the Southern rebellion will succeed in establishing permanently a confederacy of states with Negro slavery as the corner-stone, is to suppose them capable of throwing a dam across the stream of civil liberty, which has been running broader and deeper for hundreds of years- that stream commenced flowing more than a thousand years ago- “as well dam up the waters of the Nile with bulrushes.” The barons of England tried it in the days of the “wars of the Roses,” and in the language of Alison, “they watered the English plains with blood, from which has arisen a harvest of glory.” On one battlefield, thirty-six thousand Britons fell by mutual slaughter.

The Barons of the South,” (to apply to the slave-holders of the Southern States, an epithet coined by old John Adams,) have declared that they would decide the present “irrepressible conflict” by an appeal to arms. The freemen of the North accepted the challenge, and now the contest is raging. How long it will rage, no mortal can foresee-but longer, we fear, than some imagine. The political cancer –SLAVERY- which has been so long eating away the vitals of the nation, must be cut out. We hope there is vitality sufficient in the nation to survive the operation. If not, then Ichabod-thy glory has departed-must be written upon the nation’s ruins.

President Lincoln, speaking in the name of liberty, the age and the Gospel, proclaims freedom to the slaves in the Rebel States; and to the Loyal Slave States he would offer adequate pecuniary compensation for their slaves. What he has done, we believe the highest interests of humanity and the national welfare demanded, and had he done less, we fear it would have driven him from the White House. “Sink or swim, live or die, survive or perish,” we are for supporting the President of the United States in this important measure. He has but endorsed the Declaration of Independence. He has but renewed his oath to support the Constitution. We have no fears of the ultimate results.


Monday, August 27, 2012

Notice of 2012 Annual Meeting

The annual meeting of History Education Hawaii, Inc., is scheduled for Wednesday, September 26, 2012 at 4:00 p.m., Hawaii Standard Time. It will be held at the law offices of John S. Carroll, Attorney-at-Law, 800 Richards Street, Suite 800 in Honolulu. The purpose of the meeting is to elect officers and directors as well as transact other business that may be properly brought to the meeting.

Monday, August 20, 2012

National Radio Day 2012


Today marks National Radio Day. We first call your attention to this quote from DeSoto Brown's book 'Hawaii Recalls-Selling Romance to America,' from the Radio Heritage Foundation's web site:

"Hawaii was well served by radio. Ordinary people of the 1920's and 30's were exposed for the first time to the sounds of the world's faraway places [like Hawaii] and they liked it. The programs they heard from paradise typically included lovely Hawaiian music, the haunting native language being spoken, and lots of evocative descriptions of the many beauties of the isles. Radio's strong point has always been that it demands the use of the listener's imagination to picture what it's talking about, and this worked very much in favor of Hawaii as the announcer told of being right on the beach at Waikiki with the warm waves lapping the sand almost at the base of the stage itself, the blue skies above, and the trade winds in the palm trees overhead. There's no question that the nights spent dreaming by the radio as it spoke of paradise and played soft tunes of the islands inspired many to make the trip to alohaland to see all this for themselves. The utilization of predominately live entertainment on both local and national radio shows also provided steady and secure employment for musicians, thus keeping that segment of the arts lively and healthy."

The Library of Congress has a special collection of recorded radio broadcasts. Go here for a description.

According to the Imagine Hawaii web site, "The first radio programming in Hawaii was in October of 1920. The audience was very small, in fact it was heard in only one home, alerted to the transmission in advance. The first commercial radio stations were KGU and KDYX. On May 11 of 1922, these two commercial stations came alive. Governor Farrington greeted the first audience. These enterprises grew. By 1929, radio stations were using newly a newly developed recording medium, much like a phonograph record, to prepare and present music and voice. That same year, President Hoover's inaugural address was received in Hawaii and retransmitted by Hawaii Radio station KGU."

Finally, go here for an example of 'Hawaii Calls' that was broadcast on December 29, 1949. 





Sunday, August 19, 2012

Free Online Course: Constitution 102 by Hillsdale College


Constitution Week 2012 is September 17-23.

A FREE ten-week online course is scheduled to begin September 4, 2012. Constitution 201: The Progressive Rejection of the Constitution and the Rise of Bureaucratic Despotism is being offered by Hillsdale College.

This course will be taught by faculty from Hillsdale College. According to Imprimis, a Hillsdale publication, the course "will offer an in-depth look at American progressivism-its historical roots and principles; its rejection of America's founding principles and Constitution; its political successes in the New Deal, the Great Society, and recent years; the ongoing debate between progressives (or modern liberals) and conservatives; and the chances of a constitutional revival." 

Though this online course is offered free of charge a suggested donation of $50 is requested to help defray costs.

To register for this course sign up at this link today. 

Saturday, August 18, 2012

Update: July 4 in Hawaii History Blog Project


Last month History Education Hawaii initiated a unique blog project. This one focuses on how the Fourth of July American Independence Day holiday has been celebrated in Hawaii.

Go to this link for this insightful historical blog site. All of the text content is directly transcribed from Hawaii-based newspaper sources such as The Friend, The Polynesian, the Pacific Commercial Advertiser (today's Honolulu Star Advertiser) and so on.

For example, go to this link for an editorial published in The Polynesian -the official voice of the Hawaiian Government- that appeared in the July 4, 1846 edition. Read how the 4th of July was celebrated in Hanalei, Kauai in 1866 as published in the Pacific Commercial Advertiser that year. Want to learn how the 4th of July was celebrated in the Manoa Valley house of Haalilio in 1840? Read this story from The Polynesian.

Looking for a project? We are in need to volunteers to transcribe  articles for future postings. Please contact History Education Hawaii at historyeducationhawaii@gmail.com.

And stay tuned! We'll have an announcement soon -and a call for volunteers- because the number of topic-centered historical blogs is expanding!

If you are excited about history, and we know that you are, we think the future is looking bright!

U.S. History Adjunct Professor Wanted: Wayland Baptist University


One of our regular readers contacted us about an adjunct job available as found on Craigslist. The job is for an adjunct professor to teach undergraduate U.S. History at the Hawaii campus of Wayland Baptist University. 

Please be sure you have at least 18 graduate credits and a Master's degree in History. The ad on Craiglist  requests that Cv's be sent to higav@wbu.edu. Good luck!

Friday, August 17, 2012

Happy Hawaii Statehood Day 2012


History Education Hawai, Inc., send its best wishes and aloha to all in this Hawaii Statehood Day. While it is a state holiday we are aware that many are working on this Aloha Friday. Rest assured, so are we!

The anniversary of Hawaii's admission as the 50th state comes every third Friday of August. We refer our readers to the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum's web site:

President Eisenhower stated his support for the idea of statehood for Hawaii early in his administration but appropriate legislation failed to make it through Congress until the Hawaii Admission Act of 1959. President Eisenhower signed the bill into law on March 18, 1959. In June of 1959 the citizens of Hawaii voted on a referendum to accept the statehood bill and on August 21, 1959, President Eisenhower signed the official proclamation admitting Hawaii as the 50th state.

We also call to your attention this 54-second newsreel footage from Archive.org. It is dated March 16, 1959.

Complimentary Access! Colonial Williamsburg's Gift to the Nation


We're delighted to inform our readers that for a limited time only Colonial Williamsburg's Gift to the Nation, 'The Will of the People' electronic field will be available FREE. 

Complimentary access will be provided September 1-30, 2012, online 24/7, on-demand video streaming.


 "Colonial Williamsburg's Gift to the Nation in this election year of 2012 offers students an opportunity to interact virtually with historical characters and provides teachers with unique resources to engage students in the study of citizenship and our founding democratic principles. The Electronic Field Trip "The Will of the People" examines the presidential election of 1800, one of the most bitter in U.S. history, and provides a surprising lesson for a 21st-century student. Thomas Jefferson explains how negative campaigning, partisan politics, and contested elections have been a part of our political system since the earliest days of the republic."

We hope you'll take advantage of this opportunity to bring this exciting, relevant program into your school or home!


Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Hawai’i History Bee and Bowl 2013!


We're delighted to inform our members, friends, teachers and students alike that the next annual Hawai’i History Bee and Bowl will be held at Iolani School, Honolulu on Saturday, February 9, 2013.

Last year’s tournament featured a competitive field of six teams from Hawaii public and private schools. "We look forward to another great day of history quiz competition this year," said Dave Madden, founder of the tournament that is now held throughout the USA and internationally.

For the results of the last tournament go to this link on our news-blog. 

This program is sponsored each year by History Education Hawaii, Inc., the recognized Hawaii Council of the National Council for History Education

The registration deadline is February 8, 2013 EST. To register click this link and follow the instructions.    

Click this link for the Tournament format, and this link for the Game format. Download a copy of the official rules here.

"We're inviting all schools across Hawaii to send teams to participate," said Jeffrey Bingham Mead, co-founder and president of History Education Hawaii. "We're also inviting others to co-sponsor this event and provide prizes for winning teams and individuals."

History Education Hawaii, Inc., Welcomes Christopher J. Wong



History Education Hawaii, Inc., is pleased to announce that Christopher J. Wong has been named to its Board of Directors.


Born and raised in Kalihi Valley, Wong is an alumni of Kamehameha Schools and Hawaii Pacific University, where he graduated with a bachelor degree in business administration. Wong founded Blue Tides Pacific, LLC. He was appointed to the Hawaii state Commission for National and Community Service. Recently, Christopher Wong was the marketing and public relations specialist of the Hawaiian Mission Houses Historic Site and Archives until joining as the manager of the marketing and public relations staff at Hawaii Energy Connection. Wong was named to the Pacific Business News ‘Forty Under 40’ in 2010.

“We’re delighted that Chris would join the board of History Education Hawaii,” said president and co-founder Jeffrey Bingham Mead. “He brings a wealth of talents, passion, innovation and leadership to the table. Christopher Wong’s energy, commitment to creative solutions is refreshing.”

History Education Hawaii, Inc., is the officially recognized ‘Hawaii Council’ of the National Council for History Education (NCHE).
 It is a technology-based independent, nonpartisan, not-for-profit corporation serving the history learning community of the state of Hawaii that promotes leadership, study, research, effective, innovative history teaching and learning best practices.
 It collaborates with educational institutions, facilitates interactive, professional and interactive programs involving history-buffs, history educators and students, teacher-candidates, historians and historic preservationists, foundations, museums as well as the government, military and business communities of Hawaii.


Tuesday, August 14, 2012

A Portal to the Past: Hawaiian Kingdom Property Taxes


The King Kamehameha V Judiciary History Center located in Ailiiolani Hale is presenting a lecture on the history of property taxes in the Hawaiian Kingdom. 

A Portal to the Past: Hawaiian Kingdom Property Taxes will be held Thursday, August 30, 2012, 
5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Free and open to the public.


Executive Director Dr. Thomas A. Woods of the Mission Houses Museum shares his insight about Hawaiian Kingdom property tax law and records for Kona. Initiated as a project to identify the extent and style of ranching in Kona, Dr. Woods examined six years of 19th century kingdom tax records for the Kona area. Who knew that dogs and cats were taxed? How did land ownership change, who were the leading 'awa growers, who owned fishnets and stores? Discover the Who's Who of Kona during this most dynamic period of history.

RSVP by August 29, 2012 to 539-4999 

Monday, August 13, 2012

College: What It Was, Is and Should Be: a Special Online Conversation with Professor Andrew Delbanco

You are invited! We received word from the National Humanities Center that "a special online conversation" entitled College: What It Was, Is and Should Be is scheduled for September 20, 2012, 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. This online forum is open to all.

The forum will be hosted and facilitated by Professor Andrew Delbanco. He is a National Humanities Center Fellow, Julian Clarence Levi Professor in the Humanities and Director of the American Studies Program at Columbia University, New York.  
   
Graduating from college has traditionally been, and for many Americans still is, a much-desired goal. But increasingly the value and make-up of a college education is being questioned. Is college worth the expense? Is a degree needed for success in contemporary America? Should college prepare a student for a job or for a life? 
  
Professor Andrew Delbanco addresses these and other timely questions in his new book College: What It Was, Is  and Should Be. Professor Delbanco explores the history and purpose of American higher education and illuminates how tensions between character formation and professional training, as well as those between teaching and research, have shaped our colleges and universities.

This eventdoes not provide credit hours. Register today for this free, online conversation on a subject that has profound implications for America's future.  Click here.

Thursday, August 9, 2012

Reminder: NCHE 2013 Annual Conference Submission Deadline is September 24!

Here's an important reminder to Hawaii history teachers, historians, students and history buffs! 

It's not too late to submit a session proposal for the 2013 Annual Conference of the National Council for History Education

*The submission deadline is September 24, 2012. 

Have you developed a unique strategy for teaching history that you would like to share with other educators? 

Did you perform research that provides new insights into a historical topic? 

Have you participated in a history institute and would like to share your knowledge with others?

The 2013 Call for Proposals, containing topic suggestions and submission details, is available here

Questions? Contact the NCHE Office by phone (240-696-6612) or by email.

"6 Campus Protests That Changed The World”

 Sara Miller of OnlineClasses.org sent us word of a new article that may interest you. 

"We recently published an article 6 Campus Protests That Changed The World that dovetails well with your audience. Perhaps you would be interested in sharing with them." 

Go to the hyperlink above. If you have items of historical interest please send your requests to our email address at historyeducationhawaii@gmail.com any time. 
 

NCIS Invites Applications for 2012 Grants and Awards

We've received an announcement that the National Coalition of Independent Scholars is soliciting applications for its 2012 Grants and Awards Committee. Hawaii scholars, including historians and history educators, are urged to apply now.

The Committee will award the Eisenstein-DeLacy Prize for the best published article by an NCIS member. This prize will be awarded with a $200 honorarium. Additionally, there will be three travel awards each of $200 for travel to an academic conference or to assist travel related to research.
All applications must include a CV.

For the Eisenstein-DeLacy Award, a copy of the article to be considered must also be included, with information on place and date of publication. More than one article may be submitted. For the travel awards, a travel and expense budget and description of research project must be submitted. If the travel is to a conference, all related materials must also be included.

The deadline for submitting applications is September 15, 2012

 The decisions of the Grants and Awards Committee will be announced by October 15, 2012 and will be posted on the NCIS website, along with profiles of the winners.

Please send applications directly to the membership committee at membership@ncis.org/

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Top 50 Fascinating History Blogs


Which U.S. president announced the end of World War II? Of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, which was the first destroyed? When and in which civilization were fireworks invented? 

If you were able to rattle off the answers to these history trivia questions as if someone just asked you your middle name, you will have a fabulous time perusing our list.

On the other hand, those who struggle with history will also enjoy the following links. After all, everyone still has a lot to learn about the past. 

Click here for Top 50 Fascinating History Blogs. Enjoy!

HEH Director Dr. Dave Wang Published in 2012 Virginia Review of Asian Studies


We're delighted to announce that Dr. Dave Wang, a member of the Board of Directors of History Education Hawaii, has been published. 

The Virginia Review of Asian Studies has published Dr. Wang's article entitled American Ginseng and Its Effects on Americanization in the Review's 2012 edition:

"American Ginseng, nicknamed Flower Flag Ginseng[1], was the most important commercial good in the trade between China and the United States during the late 1700s leading into the early 1800s. American Ginseng had a tremendous impact on the Americanization of the United States. However, the effects that American Ginseng had on the formation of the United States and American society have been largely forgotten by scholars both in China and the United States."

To read Dr. Wang's paper go to the link above and click Table of Contents, or go to this link. Scroll down to the list to his paper, click the link and download the Word document.