Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Top Ten US History Inspired Halloween Costumes

The following comes from an email I received from my good friends at Shmoop.com - Shmoop is an awesome site for teachers and students. It's history and literature lessons with a twist...

Check out the links below...

This Halloween, scare up some fun with these US history and lit-inspired costumes

Ten US History-Inspired Halloween Costumes

1. Put on a three-corner hat and cape, pull a cardboard boat around your waist, and pose as George Washington crossing the Delaware during the American Revolution.

2. Dress up as Benjamin Franklin with a kite and singed hair. Be careful around the French maids.

3. Pretend to hitchhike as Christopher Columbus with a sign that says "India or bust."

4. Dress up like Abe Lincoln - with two tickets in his breast pocket.

5. Test people's knowledge of US history trivia by putting on a turn-of-the-century suit, carrying some bags of fake money, and painting your nose purple. Yes, JP Morgan really did have a purple nose.

6. Try a scandalous costume for a trio: Marilyn Monroe, Jackie Kennedy, and John F. Kennedy.

7. Wear a suit and a Richard Nixon mask. Carry a hollowed-out pumpkin filled with film. You're reenacting the "Pumpkin Papers," a famous Cold War incident in which future President Richard Nixon took down Soviet spy Alger Hiss.

8. Dress up as Betsy Ross with a half-finished American flag. Include a rainbow flag, a pirate flag, and yellow smiley face among your book of samples.

9. Sport your finest 1920s-style outfit, a plastic Tommy gun, a cigar, and your best Al Capone accent. Rave about the merits of the 18th Amendment and Prohibition.

10. Roll up your sleeves and get ready to flex those guns. Rosie the Riveter is one of the best "girl power" costumes in history. (World War II: Home Front)

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Sunday, October 25, 2009

Still Out there....

It's been some time since I've addressed this blog. A few things have been happening. I have a 3 month old son, and as always my role as teacher, and now athletic director and father take away much of my time.

A big thank you to those that still keep me in your "inbox" and RSS feeds. There will be much more for me to contribute in due time.

I've taken steps to simplify my life - perhaps from a new found perspective of fatherhood - and this blog and is something I love to do... and thus, will be part of that simplified life.

I know I've promised some of you the opportunity to contribute to other sites I've created as well. Those will be on the horizon also. Sit tight and stick with me. First up, is www.TodayInUSHistory.com - so I'll be contacting those that showed an interest in researching for that site.... thanks in advance.

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Thursday, October 22, 2009

Daily History Quiz

For fun... here's a site where you can test your American history knowledge. Enjoy a new contest everyday.

http://www.historynet.com/quiz



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