NCHE 2013 Civil Rights Conference: Request for Proposals

The National Council for History Education (NCHE) announced this morning that proposals are being accepted for its 2013 Civil Rights Conference. 


The conference will focus on the desegregation of South Carolina's colleges and schools. It is scheduled to be held January 25-26, 2013, at South Carolina State University in Orangeburg, SC. 


All proposals must be received by 5:00 p.m. on September 17, 2012. Late submissions WILL NOT be accepted. 

Go to this link for more information, including required forms.

National History Club Welcomes Mililani High School

You can imagine how delighted we were to hear from Robert Nasson of the National History Club that Mililani High School in Central Oahu has created an NHC chapter!

We hope this is merely the beginning. History Education Hawaii urges your middle or senior high school to join with dozens of others across the country in supporting historical literacy through the NHD and its affiliate, The Concord Review. 

PBS NOVA Series: Killer Subs in Pearl Harbor, Broadcast Wednesday May 23

Many people were not aware until recently that stealth Imperial Japanese mini-subs plied the waters of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. They were part of the December 7, 1941 attack that brought America into World War II.

On Wednesday, May 23 PBS will re-broadcast a NOVA series documentary, 'Killer Subs in Pearl Harbor.'

 "NOVA dives beneath the waters of Pearl Harbor to trace provocative new clues to one of the most tragic events of World War II—the sinking of the USS Arizona. More than 1,000 crew members perished in the greatest single loss of life in United States naval history. For decades, it has been thought that a bomb dropped by a Japanese aircraft sank the Arizona. But the discovery of a group of Japanese midget subs in and around Pearl Harbor has raised questions about the battleship's final hours.

NOVA's team of expert investigators journey to the seafloor to explore the wreckage of the most mysterious of these subs. Did this mini-sub and its two-person crew make it into Pearl Harbor and fire torpedoes at the Arizona? They pursue this puzzle with unprecedented access to the remains of the Arizona and other unique evidence, including aerial photos taken by Japanese aircraft and moving testimonials from U.S. and Japanese veterans. "Killer Subs in Pearl Harbor" is a gripping investigation of the possibility that these tiny but lethal mini-subs may have played a crucial and previously unsuspected part in the tragic events of that "Day of Infamy."


History Education Hawaii highly recommends this broadcast. Among those featured is Burl Burlingame who was recently appointed as the first curator of the Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor.

You can watch the full episode at this link to hulu.com and at this link on the PBS web site. We also call your attention to this detailed description courtesy of GreatHistory.com.

The National History Club Wants YOU!

One of History Education Hawaii's partners is the National History Club. It was founded in 2002 by The Concord Review Inc. (TCR), which publishes the only scholarly review of history essays written by secondary students.

In October 2006, The Concord Review (TCR) board of directors voted to establish the NHC as an independent affiliate to accommodate its rapid growth. The NHC was awarded a seed and planning grant from the Argosy Foundation in the fall of 2006. The Argosy Foundation is a private family foundation established in 1997 by John Abele.

We are very interested in seeing the establishment of a chapter of the National History Club in Hawaii. If your school is interested in forming such a chapter please contact us at historyeducationhawaii@gmail.com or, better still, contact Robert Nasson
Executive Director, National History Club at RNasson@nationalhistoryclub.org
The National History Club Inc. (NHC) inspires students and teachers to start history club chapters at high schools, middle schools, and within other student and community programs. Members of local history club chapters participate in local and national programs, and create their own projects and activities. The NHC also provides chapters with resources and services that will help them increase the activity and impact of their history club. To date, the NHC has founded history club chapters at high schools and middle schools in 43 states, and there are over 12,000 student members.

Let's get Hawaii on record with NHC chapters at high schools and middles schools throughout our island paradise! Go to this link to learn how you can start a chapter in Hawaii now! 

Hawaii Museum Celebrates U.S. Military History

(Photo Credit: Honolulu Star Advertiser)

Honolulu's Star Advertiser reported on Saturday:

"The U.S. Army Museum Hawaii in Waikiki marked Armed Forces Day on Saturday by hosting its annual Living History Day. In period dress were Colin Chang, left, in a Korean War-era Army uniform, Michael Wee in a Vietnam War-era uniform, Jeff Wong attired as a 1900s U.S. Marine, Alex Wong in a World War II U.S. Marine uniform, Ray Taga in a U.S. Army Korean War uniform, retiree Ford Matsunaga, Ryan Yamashiro in a Vietnam-era Army uniform, and Larry Hoe outfitted as Medicine Crow of the Absaroka Tribe, who was a scout for Col. George Custer's 7th Cavalry at the Battle of the Little Bighorn in 1876."

Colonial Williamsburg's “The Will of the People” Electronic Field Trip Complimentary Access

Attention Hawaii history teachers! Here's something to plan for your classes in September! And it's FREE!


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 entitled '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're pleased to report that Colonial Williamsburg is offering FREE 24-hour access to this electronic field trip starting September 1, 2012 and concluding on September 30, 2012.

For more information about the Emmy Award-winning series of live, interactive television broadcasts, teacher guides, and online resources, call 1.800.761.8331, email EFTSupport@cwf.org or visit this link.

You'll get:

On-demand video streaming over the Web

Email Thomas Jefferson

Interactive online games

Downloadable resources, such as the teacher guide and program script (PDF)

Comprehensive lesson planshttp://giftnation.history.org/about

Colonial Williamsburg Presents "American Ideas: Declaring Independence" Webcast Tomorrow, May 19, 2012

History Education Hawaii has learned that Colonial Williamsburg will present its fifth "American Ideas" interactive webcast live from behind the Governor's Palace at 3 p.m. Saturday, May 19.  

The webcast begins with a special edition of the Revolutionary City program, "When in the Course of Human Events: Declaring Independence," featuring Patrick Henry debating Tory John Randolph after giving his famous "Give me liberty, or give me death" speech in the spring of 1775. 

The webcast is hosted by well-known Hampton Roads public affairs broadcaster Cathy Lewis live on Colonial Williamsburg's "Connect" website. Her guests include characters from each of three scenes in the webcast and Taylor Stoermer, Ph.D., Revolution historian from Colonial Williamsburg's division of research and historical interpretation. 

Two additional scenes include "Liberty to Slaves," which takes place in November of 1775 with enslaved people pondering Dunmore's Proclamation that granted freedom to slaves who fought for the British, and "The Court of Tar and Feathers," that deals with the issues of free speech and treason in July 1776.    

For the live interactive webcast, "Connect" will take questions from the on-site audience and emails any time before or during the webcast at connect@cwf.org. Viewers can also send questions to the panel during the program via Twitter or through the live chat room. 

Discussion segments between the three scenes will ponder the questions, "What events were taking place in the colonies that prompted Henry to give his speech in the spring of 1775?" and "What choices did free citizens and enslaved people have to make?" 

The panel will discuss why relating to our history matters and what the role of government should be. From the Boston Tea Party to the current Tea Party movement and the Occupy Wall Street demonstrations taking place across the country today, the very roots of the American Revolution can be found in citizens debating each other about issues of the day.   

A Colonial Williamsburg admission ticket or Good Neighbor pass provides access to the live webcast audience area behind the Governor's Palace gardens. 

The May 19 webcast is one in a series of Colonial Williamsburg live webcasts debating our nation's most basic values and how they shape our republic. In late June, the subject will be "What Does Independence Day Mean to Me," and the final subject will be "The Election of 2012" in the fall. Interested citizens may visit the Connect website any time to join the debate.