The War of 1812 lasted for a year and a half when the peace treaty was signed on December 24, 1814. It had been a war that tested the strength of the young nation. The country saw the White House burned and the creation of the “Star Spangled Banner.” Since communication was slow in reaching the United States a terrible battle was fought on January 8, 1815 after the war was over. This battle showed the world that the United States could defeat the mighty British forces. It’s sad that the needless battle took place but it also became a coming of age episode in young America’s growth. It was because of this battle that Andrew Jackson became a well-known leader and eventually became the president in 1829.

Can you name the battle?

Answer:
The Battle of New Orleans

There are a lot of amazing things about this battle. To learn more read about the War of 1812 in Heroes & Heroines of the Past: American History Curriculum by Amy Puetz Fox.

Here are some clues. In December 1791 the first Congress ratified these amendments that had been proposed on September 25, 1789. These amendments gave the American people the freedoms that many who had opposed the Constitution were concerned should be included. What a wonderful Christmas present it was from the Founders to give their posterity the freedoms found in the first ten Amendments of the Constitution. What are they called?

Answer: The Bill of Rights

Many of the Founding Fathers were against the Constitution because it didn’t have this important element. But those elected to the First Congress created twelve amendments. On December 15, 1791 ten of them were ratified. It’s interesting that this took place just before Christmas when we celebrate the birth of Jesus who brought true freedom to mankind and the Founders cherished the rights of people by creating the Bill of Rights.

Read more about the Constitution and it’s creation in Heroes and Heroines of the Past: American History.

To learn more about American history check out these books by Amy Puetz Fox.

Here are some clues. Multiple problems with the Speedwell delayed their trip and they started out much later than they intended too. This lead to them arriving in the New World in November 1620. Stormy weather prevented them from going south to Virginia where their charter allowed them to land. Instead they settled in the New England area which allowed them to set up their own government.

Answer:
The Mayflower Compact

This was the first document of self-government created by the Pilgrims. Here is a copy of it.

“In the name of God, Amen. We, whose names are underwritten, the loyal subjects of our dread sovereign Lord King James, by the grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, etc., having undertaken for the glory of God, and advancement of the Christian faith, and the honor of our king and country, a voyage to plant the first colony in the northern parts of Virginia, do by these presents, solemnly and mutually, in the presence of God and one another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil body politic, for our better ordering and preservation, and furtherance of the ends aforesaid; and by virtue hereof do enact, constitute, and frame, such just and equal laws, ordinances, acts, constitutions, and officers, from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the general good of the colony; unto which we promise all due submission and obedience. In witness whereof we have hereunto subscribed our names at Cape Cod the eleventh of November, in the reign of our sovereign Lord King James, of England, France, and Ireland, the eighteenth, and of Scotland the fifty-fourth, Anno Domini. 1620.”

Read more about the Mayflower Compact in Heroes and Heroines of the Past: American History and Uncover Exciting History by Amy Puetz Fox.

To learn more about the Pilgrims check out these books by Amy Puetz Fox.

Here are some clues. In October of 1781 General George Washington with the help of their French allies surrounded this city in Virginia where Lord Cornwallis and his army was stationed. The victory at this place led to the end of the Revolutionary War. As the defeated British marched past the American and French soldiers the song, “The World Turned Upside Down” was played. What was the battle called?

Answer:
The Surrender of Yorktown.

During the battle one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Nelson Jr. actually owned a house in Yorktown. He was leading the Virginia militia during the battle and he noticed that the American troops were not bombarding his house even though the British were using it as their headquarters. He ordered them to fire on his house. It survived the attack and is still standing today.

Also, at the end of the battle Lord Cornwallis pretended to be ill and sent his sword as a sign of surrender by one of his officers to Washington. Washington in turn had one of his officers receive the sword.

After the victory at Yorktown, Washington issued an order saying, “Divine Service is to be performed tomorrow. . . . The Commander in Chief earnestly recommends that the troops not on duty should universally attend with that seriousness of deportment (manner) and gratitude of heart which the recognition of such reiterated (repeated) and astonishing interpositions (interventions) of Providence demand of us.

Read more about the Surrender at Yorktown in Heroes and Heroines of the Past: American History.

Read about Thomas Nelson Jr. in Freedom Founded: Short Biographies of the 56 Signers of the Declaration of Independence.

To learn more about the the American Revolution check out these books by Amy Puetz Fox.

Here are a few clues. In September of 1776 a young American solider took off his uniform and put on a brown coat and a broad-brimmed Quaker hat. Pretending to be a school teacher looking for work he went among the British troops in New York. After two weeks he felt he knew enough of the enemies plans to return to General Washington. Sadly he was captured and the papers hidden in his boots were discovered sealing his fate as a spy. Before being executed he said, “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.” Who was he?

Answer:
Nathan Hale
He volunteered to spy on the British in New York to help the Americans find out what they planned to do. Before he could return to the Americans he was captured and hanged as a spy. His cruel executioner tore up his letters to his family and friends saying, “The rebels should never know they had a man who could die with such firmness.” Read more about his story in Heroes and Heroines of the Past: American History.

To learn more about the American Revolution and Nathan Hale from this curriculum by Amy Puetz Fox.

Answer: Martin Luther King Jr.

Martin Luther King Jr. was born as Michael King Jr. on January 15, 1929. He became the leader of a peaceful approach to gaining civil rights. In 1963 he gave a now famous speech at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. It became known as the ‘I Have a Dream Speech.’ He said, “So even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream. I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal. . . . I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” He received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. Tragically he was assassinated in 1968. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a federal holiday celebrated on the third Monday in January.

Learn more about Martin Luther King Jr. in Heroes and Heroines of the Past: American History (Section 30 – Lesson 2).

Think you know the answer?

Or if you want a few more clues keep scrolling.

He was born in colonial Virginia on February 22, 1732. He dedicated most of his life to public service, including serving in the French and Indian War and later as the leader of the Continental Army during the American War of Independence. On December 14, 1799 he died at his home, called Mount Vernon. Have you guessed who it is?

That’s right George Washington!

George Washington is such a fascinating man to study and I could talk about him for a long time but instead I will just share a couple of my favorite stories with you.

Long before he was famous, he showed remarkable leadership skills. At the age of twenty-one he was selected by the governor of Virginia to take an important message to the French who had set up a fort on English land. The French were very cordial but refused to leave. Courageously, Washington made a dangerous journey back to Virginia. He faced the bitter cold of winter, a treacherous attack from an Indian guide, and dangerous river crossing in which he nearly drowned. When he finally returned to the governor, he had been gone for eleven weeks and had traveled eleven hundred miles.

Another of my favorite stories of Washington was just after the American Revolution was over. Here is the story from my book Heroes and Heroines of the Past: American History: “Some of the American soldiers were upset that they had not been paid for fighting against the English, and several times they rebelled.

Once they tried to make Washington the king of a new nation. Most men would have taken over the country, but Washington was a humble man. In March of 1783, several of the officers were becoming unruly. Washington gathered them together and began reading a prepared speech to them. He reminded them to stay loyal to their cause. At one point, he stopped and pulled out some glasses as he apologized to the men saying, “Gentlemen, you must pardon me. I have grown gray in your service and now find myself growing blind.” His selfless nature won the day. How could the soldiers turn on a man who had given everything and asked nothing in return.”

I could tell you about his miraculous escape during Braddock’s defeat, the crossing of the Delaware River on Christmas night in 1776, about the praying Washington, his determination at Valley Forge, his love of God, country, and family but I’ll stop here. These stories are include in my Heroes and Heroines of the Past: American History and Uncover Exciting History.

To learn more about the George Washington check out these books by Amy Puetz Fox.

A short history of Decoration Day
After the Civil War people began decorating the graves of those who died during that conflict. It was celebrated on May 30 and one of the largest events took place at Arlington National Cemetery. General Grant presided over the ceremony, and people went through the cemetery singing hymns, saying prayers, and putting flowers on the graves of Confederate and Union soldiers. After World War I the holiday expanded to include those who had died in all the U.S. wars. In 1971 Congress declared it a national holiday and it was set as the last Monday in May.

To do a three day countdown for Memorial Day and four other summer holidays (Mother’s Day, Flag Day, Father’s Day, and Independence Day) check out Summer Countdown by Amy Puetz Fox.

To learn more about the Civil War check out these books by Amy Puetz Fox.