The History of Santa Claus

http://www.the-north-pole.com/history/index.htm

http://www.history.com/video.do?name=christmas&bcpid=2647858001&bclid=1675979322&bctid=1586348684

At 401 North, We're Thankful for...

I give Thanks for having a beautiful teacher and GREAT classmates.
Alvaro Martell

I am thankful for every good thing that has been happening and also the bad things that make you learn more about life.
Miguel Flores

I'm thankful for all the good things that are in my life. THANK YOU GOD!
Carlos San Juan Velasca

I 'm thankful for my family. I'm healthy, I can work and get food. All my family is alive, and I have a job. I want to give thanks for everything. I hope I can celebrate many Thanksgivings in my life. I also hope that the war stops and the whole world can live in peace.
Jenaro Zambrano

I'm thankful for my job and because my family members are all alive.
Eduardo M. Reyes

I'm thankful for having children and for knowing the truth. I'm thankful to Jehovah God and I can preach the good news. I'm happy to preach to other people. I'm thankful for everything.
Youn Shin

I'm thankful for this year for good health for my family, because my family is fine.
Ceciliana Hernandez

I'm thankful for God because this year all my family is healthy. Gratitude for God for his many blessings, because God is great in my family.
Sarai Griffis

In gratitude for all the blessings in this year for me and my family.
Lesly Hudgins

I'm thankful for having a good life. We have food for everybody; we can live with our families together, and the world could be in peace; no more war in the future.
Jing Zheng

I'm thankful for my family, also we have a job and we are healthy. I'm thankful for everything, because we are passing through a time of crisis.
Maria Rangel

I'm thankful for my family.
Martha Nyabwaya

Thanksgiving is almost here!!!!

It's about that time of the year when we get together with family and friends to celebrate, eat turkey and of course, watch football!!!!
But, did the Pilgrims eat turkey? Did they call their celebration Thanksgiving? When did the tradition of celebrating Thanksgiving on the last Thursday of November begin?
Watch some interesting video clips about the History and Myths about Thanksgiving at the History Channel - History.com

http://www.history.com/video.do?name=Thanksgiving

Jeopardy Website

Do you like playing Jeopardy with your students? Take a look at this website. It's awesome!
http://jeopardylabs.com/

20 Years of The Fall of The Berlin Wall

Gerard Malie/AFP/Getty Images

Eyewitness To History: The Fall Of The Berlin Wall

Twenty years ago today — on Nov. 9, 1989 — crowds swelled at the barrier that divided East and West Berlin as the wall that stood as a symbol of the Cold War came down. Where were you on that day?

Listen to NPR's Talk of the Nation Podcast

Worksheet for History of Veterans Day article

http://www.lessonwriter.com/LessonMenu.aspx?ID=27911 (for worksheet and lesson plan with answers, click on the tab that says Lessonsheet)

History of Veterans Day

World War I – known at the time as “The Great War” - officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, in the Palace of Versailles outside the town of Versailles, France. However, fighting ceased seven months earlier when an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. For that reason, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars.”

Soldiers in France, wait for the end of hostilities. This photo was taken at 10:58 a.m., on November 11, 1918, two minutes before the armistice ending World War I went into effect.

In November 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day with the following words: "To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…"

An Act approved May 13, 1938, made the 11th of November in each year a legal holiday—a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as "Armistice Day." In 1954 Congress amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word "Armistice" and inserting in its place the word "Veterans." With the approval of this legislation on June 1, 1954, November 11th became a day to honor American veterans of all wars.

Veterans Day continues to be observed on November 11, regardless of what day of the week on which it falls. The restoration of the observance of Veterans Day to November 11 not only preserves the historical significance of the date, but helps focus attention on the important purpose of Veterans Day: A celebration to honor America's veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.