(This is a reprint of an article I published a couple of years ago. Its goal is to refresh our knowledge of Christopher Columbus instead of relying on hearsay). Think you know a lot about Columbus? After all, many of us rely on stories from childhood or on contemporary professors for an assessment of Columbus. […]
Memorial Day: Preserving the Tradition and Educating the Young
How are you celebrating Memorial Day this year? More importantly, who are you remembering? I was surprised that some of my students had no attachment to this American holiday except to eat food with family. Their response prompted me to ask you about your traditions for celebrating Memorial Day. Our Kids: Do They Understand the […]
December 7th, 1941- “A Date That Will Live In Infamy”
Will December 7th, 1941 be “a date that will live in infamy?’ Not if we don’t pause, reflect on the lessons of history, and pass it on to our children. This week, I taught a Jr. High Civics lesson on Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day to my students. They were particularly interested in the wreckage of […]
A Time of Thanksgiving
Welcome back to Common Sense Civics and Citizenship! At this time of Thanksgiving, please know how thankful I am for your participation in reading this blog or even stopping by to see what area of civics and citizenship we are covering each week. Thank you! Thanksgiving is a holiday of gratitude. We look back to […]
Veterans Day
November 11, Veterans. Day. Conversation about real American heroes is in short supply today, so let’s take a moment to discuss the importance of the Veteran. Why is Veterans Day important? Your first reaction might be, “Who would ask such a thing? Of course, the Veteran is important!” But why should you care? These eternally […]
September 11-What Do You Remember?
(In honor of our first fighters and responders in the War On Terror) About September 11, they say, “We will always remember.” What will we always remember? What memories will we pass down to our posterity? -the shock of villains using our freedoms against us -no longer naive about freedom and safety; we are never […]
Thoughts on Labor Day
Here are some of my thoughts for this Labor Day: – “No one else can do the work like you can in the way that you can. Developing yourself and your unique giftedness is an act of love that you give to the world around you.” -“Common Sense Citizenship values training but it also is […]
Juneteenth, a Celebration of Freedom
Juneteenth is short for June 19, 1865, when troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation. Juneteenth celebrates the end of slavery and the beginning of “all men (human beings) are created equal.” Freedom for all, not just some. So, let’s celebrate a day when America’s sin of slavery could be put behind […]
Memorial Day 2023: Remembering the Fallen
(Once again, I am sharing The Honor Project, a Memorial Day 2023 event of The Travis Manion Foundation that will inspire you). People continually express in the comments how concerned they are for our country. I can only tell you that I look daily for evidence that America is full of people who love their […]
Mother’s Day: Every Mother Has a Story
We all have a mother. Mother’s Day is a day that we can celebrate the gift of life we all have been given, no matter the circumstances. Life is a gift. Every mother has a story. Here is a portion of my motherhood story: Forty-three years ago, I was in a doctor’s office. I clearly […]
The Standard
Our country lived over 200 years under the standard of right and wrong. We as a nation understood that some things are wrong and inherently bad for society. There are also righteous ways that build a society. What Is The Standard? The standard was based on ancient wisdom and common sense. People regarded behaviors like […]
President’s Day
Today, I’m celebrating President’s Day by recalling past presidents’ wise words that still speak to us. Later this spring, I would like to return to Washington, D. C. to visit the Jefferson Memorial now that its refurbishing work is complete. I climbed the Washington Monument as a 13-year-old. No additional visits can top that experience, […]
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Like the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., today we need to focus on a higher place with a better goal. So, why does our nation continue to place a higher emphasis on skin color rather than the content of character? Dr. King would be so disappointed. Some of you remember Dr. King leading peaceful […]
Christmas Miracle
Who doesn’t need a story of a Christmas miracle? I never tire of reading about the courage of our forefathers at Christmastime as they built our nation. Their suffering, perseverance, willingness to die rather than surrender, and their hope for a better future speak volumes. They stepped up to the plate when all hope seemed […]
Christmas List For America
What would be on your Christmas list for America? I’m talking about what you want to see for yourself and the next generation. A coveted Christmas gift for your child might be a new pencil or a pair of socks in days gone by. Those were days of finding joy in simple pleasures. We complicate […]
