June 28, 2013
Ms. Lindsay Grimaldi
3647 Greenpoint Avenue
Long Island City, NY 11101-4534
Dear Ms. Grimaldi
Last month while attending the history convention in Los Angeles, I went to a session
titled “How to Bring History to Life.” O thoroughly enjoyed the session and have since
corresponded with the speaker, Mr. Martin Anderson. He led me to PBS’s website titled
“The American Experience”
Three of the feature sites would integrate nicely into what we have planned for the last
nine weeks of the school year. Each site includes:
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The Film & More
Special Features
Timelines
Maps
People & Events
Instructor’s Guide
I’ve listed the sites below along with the description provided by PBS. Hopefully, you
have access to the Internet at your summer home and will be able to take a quick look at
the sites.
Lindbergh (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/ames/lindbergh/filmmore/indes.html) At 25,
Charles A. Lindbergh – handsome, talented, and brave—arrived in Paris, the first man to
fly across the Atlantic. But the struggle to wear the mantle of legend would be a
consuming one. Crowds pursued him; reporters invaded his private life. His marriage,
travels with his wife, and the kidnapping and murder of their first child were all fodder
for the front page.
Eleanor Roosevelt (http//www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/eleanor/filmmore/index.html)
Eleanor Roosevelt struggled to overcome an unhappy childhood, betrayal in her
marriage, a controlling mother-in-law, and gripping depressions—all the while staying
true to her passion for social justice. This biography includes rare home movies,
contemporary footage, and . . . brings to vibrant life one of the century’s most influential
women.
MacArthur (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/macarthur/filmmore/index.html) No
soldier in modern history has been more admired—or more reviled. Douglas MacArthur,
liberator of the Philippines, shogun of occupied Japan, mastermind of the Inchon
invasion, was an admired national hero when he was suddenly relieved of his command.
A portrait of a complex, imposing, and fascinating American general.
After review the sites, let me know if you are interested in including them in your
American History sections. I will arrange with the media center to have an Internet
connection and large monitor available for all our sections on Friday of Weeks 5, 7, and
9.
I enjoyed spending two months back on Utah State’s campus. I decided to pursue my
master’s degree. After summer school, I took a quick trip to the Grand Canyon and Zion
National Park. What beautiful country!
I hope you are enjoying the final days of your summer vacation on Long Island.
Sincerely
Jon A. Richardson, Instructor
mcw