European Holiday Project
Objective: The ultimate goal of this assignment is to gain a greater understanding of what modern
European nations deem significant in their history. You are to choose a national holiday (or a smaller local celebration) from a European country and determine what it is all about. The history of the
event, not the celebration of the holiday, is our main focus. Your findings shall be presented in essay form along with a nice fluffy poster to decorate the walls of Mr. Winschel’s classroom. You should follow the ensuing format. Good Luck!
The format below provides a basic framework for your essay. The order of paragraphs may be altered if you deem it necessary. While you are permitted flexibility in this regard, the information indicated below is required.
Introduction (#1): An introductory paragraph should catch the attention of the reader and explain what is forthcoming.
Item #2: General information about the celebration in the modern European country.
 Date(s)
 Activities surrounding the celebration
 Location where celebrated if not everywhere
 Etc.
Item #3: Historical event that is being celebrated and the immediate context in which it occurred.
 Description of event
 When it happened
 Major people involved
 Why it happened
 Local historical background to the event
 Etc.
Item #4: Larger context (European-wide) of the event.
 Is this event part of a larger movement (e.g. Reformation, revolutions, etc.) across Europe?
 What other major things (events or trends such as the Enlightenment) are occurring in Europe at this time? In general these should be events that are somehow related to your topic.
 Etc.
Item #5: Significance of event.
 What were the consequences/ramifications of the event?
 What about this event makes it worthy of celebration? What makes it outstanding?
 Etc.
Conclusion (#6): Wrap up your essay with a brief conclusion.
Poster: You should have a poster to go along with your essay. There is no specific format for the poster. It should simply indicate in an attractive manner something having to do with this celebration.
For example, you might have a collage of pictures of the event itself, maps, pictures of announcements of the celebration, pictures of people involved. The name and date of the holiday and the country should be clearly indicated somewhere on the poster. A few captions are also required. If time permits, you will present your poster to the class.

European Holiday Project
Expectations for final project
Essay
1. Cover page – Should include the same information as the cover page to the sample essay.
 Include a map showing your country within Europe
 Include your name, period, turn-in date
 Also include name of country, and date of holiday/celebration
2. Essay
 Should be double-spaced
 At least 4 pages and no more than 8 pages. The typical paper is 5-7 pages long.
 Margins no larger than those set at the default
 Font no larger than Times New Roman size 12
3. Bibliography
 At least four sources
 MLA (Standard for NA) format
 Attached to your essay at the end – does not have to be on a separate sheet of paper
Poster
1. Sized according to our discussion in class
2. Must be prominently expressed:
 The name of the Country
 The date of holiday
 The name of the holiday
3. Should have at least 4 pictures or drawings or other appropriate colorful stuff to dress up the presentation. Some captions are also required.
4. Must be neat and have your name and period somewhere on the front.
European History: Research Paper Rubric
1. Is the thesis clear?
2. Direction of paper clearly indicated in intro?
3. Body paragraphs clearly support thesis?
4. Substantial support in each paragraph?
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
N
N
N somewhat somewhat somewhat somewhat
5. Sufficient research clearly embodied in paper? Y
6. Title page with proper information? Y
7. Bibliography with proper number of sources?
8. Bibliography with proper format?
9. List of items from Holiday Guide?
Y
Y
Y
N
N
N
N
N somewhat somewhat somewhat somewhat
PSSA
Content
____/8
____/70
Format ____/5
Bibliography ____/7
Poster ____/10
FINAL GRADE ____/100

Name________________________________
FOCUS CONTENT ORGANIZATION
The single controlling point made with an awareness of task (mode) about a specific topic.
The presence of ideas developed through facts, examples, anecdotes, details, opinions, statistics, reasons and/or explanations.
The order developed and sustained within and across paragraphs using transitional devices including introduction and conclusion.
Period___________________
STYLE
The choice, use and arrangement of words and sentence structures that create tone and voice.
CONVENTIONS
The use of grammar, mechanics, spelling, usage and sentence formation.
2
Sharp, distinct controlling point made about a single topic with evident awareness of task (mode)
1
Apparent point made about a single topic with sufficient awareness of task
(mode)
0
No apparent point but evidence of a specific topic
Substantial, specific and/or illustrative content demonstrating strong development and sophisticated ideas
Sufficiently developed content with adequate elaboration or explanation
Limited content with inadequate elaboration or explanation
0 Minimal evidence of a topic
Superficial and/or minimal content
Sophisticated arrangement of content with evident and/or subtle transitions
Functional arrangement of content that sustains a logical order with some evidence of transitions
Confused or inconsistent arrangement of content with or without attempts at transition
Minimal control of content arrangement
Precise, illustrative use of a variety of words and sentence structures to create consistent writer’s voice and tone appropriate to audience
Generic use of a variety of words and sentence structures that may or may not create writer’s voice and tone appropriate to audience
Limited word choice and control of sentence structures that inhibit voice and tone
Minimal variety in word choice and minimal control of sentence structures
Evident control of grammar, mechanics, spelling, usage and sentence formation
Sufficient control of grammar, mechanics, spelling, usage and sentence formation
Limited control of grammar, mechanics, spelling, usage and sentence formation
Minimal control of grammar, mechanics, spelling, usage and sentence formation
NON-SCORABLE OFF-PROMPT
0
• Is illegible; i.e., includes so many indecipherable words that no sense can be made of the response• Is incoherent; i.e., words are legible but syntax is so garbled that response makes no sense • Is insufficient; i.e., does not include enough to assess domains adequately • Is a blank paper
• Is readable but did not respond to prompt
1. Is the thesis clear?
European History: Research Paper Rubric
Y N somewhat
2. Direction of paper clearly indicated in intro?
3. Body paragraphs clearly support thesis?
Y
Y
N
N somewhat somewhat
4. Substantial support in each paragraph?
5. Sufficient research clearly embodied in paper?
6. Title page with proper information?
7. Bibliography with proper number of sources?
8. Bibliography with proper format?
9. List of items from Holiday Guide?
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
N
N
N
N
N somewhat somewhat somewhat somewhat somewhat
PSSA
Content
____/8
____/70
Format ____/5
Bibliography ____/7
Poster ____/10
FINAL GRADE ____/100

Name________________________________
FOCUS CONTENT ORGANIZATION
The single controlling point made with an awareness of task (mode) about a specific topic.
The presence of ideas developed through facts, examples, anecdotes, details, opinions, statistics, reasons and/or explanations.
The order developed and sustained within and across paragraphs using transitional devices including introduction and conclusion.
Period___________________
STYLE
The choice, use and arrangement of words and sentence structures that create tone and voice.
CONVENTIONS
The use of grammar, mechanics, spelling, usage and sentence formation.
2
Sharp, distinct controlling point made about a single topic with evident awareness of task (mode)
1
Apparent point made about a single topic with sufficient awareness of task
(mode)
0
No apparent point but evidence of a specific topic
Substantial, specific and/or illustrative content demonstrating strong development and sophisticated ideas
Sufficiently developed content with adequate elaboration or explanation
Limited content with inadequate elaboration or explanation
0 Minimal evidence of a topic
Superficial and/or minimal content
Sophisticated arrangement of content with evident and/or subtle transitions
Functional arrangement of content that sustains a logical order with some evidence of transitions
Confused or inconsistent arrangement of content with or without attempts at transition
Minimal control of content arrangement
Precise, illustrative use of a variety of words and sentence structures to create consistent writer’s voice and tone appropriate to audience
Generic use of a variety of words and sentence structures that may or may not create writer’s voice and tone appropriate to audience
Limited word choice and control of sentence structures that inhibit voice and tone
Minimal variety in word choice and minimal control of sentence structures
Evident control of grammar, mechanics, spelling, usage and sentence formation
Sufficient control of grammar, mechanics, spelling, usage and sentence formation
Limited control of grammar, mechanics, spelling, usage and sentence formation
Minimal control of grammar, mechanics, spelling, usage and sentence formation
NON-SCORABLE OFF-PROMPT
0
• Is illegible; i.e., includes so many indecipherable words that no sense can be made of the response• Is incoherent; i.e., words are legible but syntax is so garbled that response makes no sense • Is insufficient; i.e., does not include enough to assess domains adequately • Is a blank paper
• Is readable but did not respond to prompt
1. Is the thesis clear?
European History: Research Paper Rubric
Y N somewhat
2. Direction of paper clearly indicated in intro?
3. Body paragraphs clearly support thesis?
Y
Y
N
N somewhat somewhat
4. Substantial support in each paragraph?
5. Sufficient research clearly embodied in paper?
6. Title page with proper information?
7. Bibliography with proper number of sources?
8. Bibliography with proper format?
9. List of items from Holiday Guide?
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
N
N
N
N
N somewhat somewhat somewhat somewhat somewhat
PSSA
Content
____/8
____/70
Format ____/5
Bibliography ____/7
Poster ____/10
FINAL GRADE ____/100

Your subject for this research project may come from the following list of holidays, or it may be something else of your choosing as long as it has been approved by the teacher. You may also choose to do a significant event that you feel deserves a holiday (perhaps an epic battle that drastically changed the course of history). In that case, see the teacher for approval and options.
Slovakia
Ireland
Country Holiday
National Uprising Day
St. Patrick’s Day
August 29
March 17
Date
Portugal
Liechtenstein
Italy
Germany
France
Greece
Poland
Poland
Portugal Day
Independence Day
Liberation Day
Unification Day
Armistice Day
Independence Day
Constitution Day
Independence Day
June 10
August 15
April 25
October 3
November 11
March 25
May 3
November 11
Netherlands
Spain
United Kingdom
Italy
Ukraine
Sweden
Ukraine
Norway
Northern Ireland
Croatia
Ireland
USSR (Russia)
Greece
Scotland
Austria
Switzerland
Liberation Day
Hispanic Day
Guy Fawkes Day
Republic Day
Victory Day
National Day
Independence Day
Syttende Mai
Orangemen’s Day
Statehood Day
October Revolution
Ochi Day
Bannockburn Day
Austrian National Day
Swiss National Day
May 5
October 12
November 5
June 2
May 9
June 6
August 24
May 17
July 12
June 25
Easter Uprising Day ( Easter Rising ) April 24 (date varies)
November 7
October 28
June 24 (date varies)
October 26
August 1
Germany
Russia
Portugal
Iceland
Lithuania
Finland
Hungary
East German Uprising Day
Russian Unity Day
Republic Day
Republic Day
Independence Day
Independence Day
Revolution and Day of the
Proclamation of the Republic
June 16-20
November 4
October 5
June 17
February 16
December 6
October 23
Others: Andorra (National Day), San Marino, Macedonia, Malta, Denmark, Croatia, France (Joan of Arc
Day), Estonia, Romania, etc.
Some other possible topics:
Battle of Hastings
Battle of Lepanto
Battle of Tours
Etc.