Today, over forty-two million people a year walk through Central Park in New York. The park itself is a beautiful oasis in the middle of the bustling New York City, however its history is less than sparkling. That same area used to be home to a thriving town called Seneca Village. It all started in…
When Is Pride Month? (Just here for the books? Scroll down to see the list of children’s books for Pride Month, and don’t miss the link where you can easily order them all!) Pride Month is in June! On June 28, 1969, when police raided the Stonewall Inn (a popular gay bar) and hit a…
June is African American Music Month! As usual, there are far too many influential Black musicians to name all of them in a single blog post, but these books will give a good start! Music is how the boys and I got started reading books about diverse Americans in the first place. I found a…
I have learned so much reading these children’s books for Disability Pride Month! I grew up learning about a few famous people with disabilities (like Ray Charles or Stevie Wonder, for my music lovers). But as the mission of showing all children that they belong in the pages of history is one of the pillars…
Note: This post is different from the usual format. As you might know, I live in St. Louis and have for most of my life. Over the past week, I have been part of the thousands who have responded as part of the recovery efforts and have been deeply moved by what I have seen….
What is Alcatraz Prison? The Alcatraz prison sits on an island off of San Francisco Bay, abandoned by the government in 1963 because it was too expensive to maintain – all supplies had to be delivered by boat, including fresh water and fuel. Additionally, the salt water caused rapid deterioration of buildings. It was only…
Why do we have Jewish Heritage Month? President George W. Bush proclaimed the month of May to be Jewish Heritage Month on April 20, 2006, after resolutions introduced by Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) and Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA), passed the House and the Senate, respectively, to honor the contributions of Jewish people to the…
I love to take advantage of any opportunity to learn, and Spring Break is no exception. While my boys and I are on a mission to visit as many National Parks as possible before my oldest turns 18, I make sure each trip has some element of diverse American history. Last year we went to…
April is Earth Month! Today’s blog post highlights diverse books for Earth Month, celebrating the people who have made a difference in the fight for a healthy planet. The History of Earth Month Earth Month is an expansion of Earth Day, started in 1970 by Junior Senator from Wisconsin, Gaylord Nelson. The 1960s and 1970s…
Right after the Civil War and the end of legalized enslavement, disgruntled racists were upset that they could not subject African-Americans to forced labor, so they decided to use their power to create new “legal” ways to keep them from advancement. What are Poll Taxes? Amendment 15 was ratified on February 3, 1870, allowing freed…