Social Studies
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Who is your Historical Hero? Read and watch below.
Who do you think of when you hear the word “hero”? Superman? Batman? Aquaman? Wonder Woman? (She’s one of our favorites, of course!)
Those are all superheroes from comic book and movie fame, so it’s only natural that some of them might have come to mind upon hearing the word “hero.” However, did you know that you don’t have to have superpowers to be a hero? It’s true! You don’t even have to have big muscles. You don’t have to be tall or beautiful or handsome or incredibly strong. You can be an average, ordinary person and still be a hero. In fact, some of the biggest heroes throughout history were just regular people like you and me. If you saw their pictures, you wouldn’t think “Hero!” right away. But upon hearing their stories, you would definitely conclude that their actions were heroic and worthy of the history books. One of the things we like best about studying history is learning about the people who shaped history. Sure, some of those people were larger than life and influenced events due to their position. Former United States Presidents, such as George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, would fall into this category. But there are millions more ordinary people who have taken heroic actions and made a difference in the lives of others over the course of time. Some of these people performed courageous acts in the face of unbelievable odds in a moment’s time to save lives. Others may have worked thanklessly for years for a cause that benefitted others years in the future without ever reaping the benefits themselves. Do you have a favorite hero from history? What person stands out to you for their actions that helped others? It all depends upon what you think of as a hero. In the distant past, the ancient Greeks and Romans used the word “hero” to describe courageous men whose actions brought favor from the gods. Today, however, a hero can be just about anyone. It doesn’t have to be a man. And a hero doesn’t necessarily have to be courageous, although most heroes could probably be described that way. Heroes are broadly defined as those people who act voluntarily in service to others or in defense of an ideal. Moreover, heroes act knowing that they risk their own health or reputation with no expectation of anything in return. There are some other qualities that many heroes tend to share. Here are some of the qualities that might define an individual as a hero: bravery, selflessness,courage, sacrifice, perseverance, compassion, nobility, excellence, commitment, leadership, decisiveness,expertise and humility. Which of these qualities do you think make up a hero? Historical heroes can include great warriors, courageous explorers, innovative politicians, clever inventors, and dedicated police officers, firefighters and doctors. From Susan B. Anthony and Harriet Tubman to Isaac Newton and the police officer who patrols your city streets, heroes can be found throughout history and even this very day. As you study history in school, give some thought to the people you learn about. How did they shape history? Which of them would you consider heroes? Could you have done the same thing in your shoes? Could you be a historical hero one day? Did You Get It? - See more at: http://wonderopolis.org/wonder/whos-your-historical-hero/#sthash.jjvShxO1.dpuf |
Where do Political Symbols come from? Read and watch below.
Before we talk about the mascots of the political parties, let’s learn a little about political parties first.
A political party is a group of organized voters who support certain policies for their communities, states and nation. The goal of a political party is to elect public officials, such as mayors, governors, senators and the president, who will support and carry out their goals. These goals may include policies on war, taxes and education. When people in a democracy disagree about what the government should do, registered voters express their opinion by voting for the candidate who most closely reflects their political views and opinions. Political candidates are usually members of political parties. This makes it easier for voters to know what the candidate believes in, his or her goals and what changes he or she will make if elected. Political parties range in size, and large political parties have millions of members and supporters. Two of the largest political parties in the United States are the Democratic Party and the Republican Party. In 1828, critics of Democratic President Andrew Jackson labeled him a “jackass.” President Jackson, however, made the most of this new label by focusing on the positive. He commented on the donkey’s admirable qualities such as stubbornness and strength. In 1870, Thomas Nast, the best-known political cartoonist of his time, drew a donkey to represent the Democratic Party in an illustration for the publication Harper’s Weekly. Nast continued to use the donkey in other political cartoons. By 1880, it had become the unofficial mascot of the Democratic Party. Much like the donkey, we can thank Thomas Nast for the Republican mascot — the elephant. In a cartoon published in November 1874, Nast drew the Democratic donkey wearing a lion’s skin. In the cartoon, the donkey-lion is scaring all the other animals, including the elephant, which Nast used to represent the Republican vote. Eventually Republicans began to view the elephant as a symbol of strength and intelligence, and it has since been adopted as the party’s symbol. - See more at: http://wonderopolis.org/wonder/where-do-political-symbols-come-from/#sthash.Dckpnug2.dpuf |