This morning as we were getting ready for school, I had the TV turned on and was half watching the news... reactions about the Obama win... I knew that this was history in the making... the first black President of the United States... I thought I should let my eldest in on this... who knows, it may be one of those things she remembers when she's older, having been there to witness history in the making as a kid.
We first talked about voting... got her to relate by thinking of things they vote for in class - whether they want to play soccer or at the park... she got it and started to offer up all kinds of examples of things they'd voted on in class... this led to the idea that we vote for the people who will lead our country. We in Canada just did that recently, and last night was the United States turn... She was fascinated with lots of questions as she looked at pictures of the new president elect and his family on the TV screen, and asked what our Canadian Prime Minister looked like (more like "is that ours mom?" as she saw different people on the screen).
I think it's important to make our kids aware of world events when we witness history taking place before us! I still remember sitting in my classroom as a kid when the teacher told us about the fall of the Berlin Wall. That stayed with me. We were also given the assignment of asking our parents what major events in history they can remember witnessing in their lives. For some reason, that conversation with my mom across the kitchen counter is a vivid memory still... Kennedy's assassination being one that had stayed with her and a few others (I can't remember... mom, fill in the blanks!).
A black president. This will go right up there with the fall of the Berlin Wall, the end of the Cold War, the terrorist attacks of 9/11 and the worldwide SARS outbreak... amongst others!
What world events do you remember watching as history unfolded before your eyes? Post a comment - let me know!
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Great reminder
12 years ago
Hi Mel, I had to laugh while reading this because the earth-shattering news that I remember while growing up was:
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2. Hearing about the Wayne Gretzky trade- time stopped in Edmonton*hahah*
Aren't I awful?! Obama's win is certainly a light of hope...& I don't mean to make light of your post. But I couldn't resist contributing!
Hugs.
That's awesome Sarah! My mom added that she remembered Elvis Dying... I remember John Candy too! And I'm sure Wayne Gretzky would have hit close to home for you guys!!! Just discovered Tom's Blog tonight - kind of cool to feel a bit more connected to you Dukes across the country and world!
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