K12> SAVE OUR HISTORY: DEFINING DOCUMENTS

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Net Happenings - From Educational CyberPlayGround
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From: KispokoT@xxxxxxx
Date: Mon, 8 Dec 2003 14:53:24 EST
Subject: SAVE OUR HISTORY: DEFINING DOCUMENTS
To: NativeVillage500@xxxxxxx, KispokoT@xxxxxxx

The History Channel(R) Presents SAVE OUR HISTORY: DEFINING DOCUMENTS


Unique Stories of Five Key American Documents

Airs December 20 at 8:00 PM ET/PT

NEW YORK, Dec. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- The History Channel will spotlight some of the 
country's most critical documents and the drama that surrounds them. SAVE OUR 
HISTORY: DEFINING DOCUMENTS airing Saturday, December 20 at 8 PM ET/PT 
showcases five milestones relevant to all Americans.  The one-hour documentary 
features a sting operation involving the Bill of Rights; the heartbreaking 
tragedies leading up to the Fair Labor Standards Act; the controversy 
surrounding Brown v. the Board of Education; the awe inspiring transcript of 
John Glenn's trip orbiting the earth; and the current implications of key 
Native American-related documents.

The "Defining Documents" special is part of "Save Our History" the network's 
national campaign dedicated to history education and historic 
preservation.  The History Channel has chosen to focus on the "100 Milestone 
Documents," an initiative developed by the National Archives, National History 
Day and USA Freedom Corps, as part of its 2003 "Save Our History" campaign.

Each year The History Channel examines various efforts to preserve critical 
documents, artifacts and landmarks that are key to understanding the country's 
rich past. This year, in conjunction with U.S. News & World Report, the "100 
Milestone Documents" initiative called for people to vote for the top ten most 
influential documents from a collection of 100 documents chosen by the National 
Archives. Experts at the National Archives selected 5 touchstone documents to 
be featured in The History Channel SAVE OUR HISTORY: DEFINING DOCUMENTS 
special. As a bonus, the results of the national poll will be featured at the 
end of the show.

"These documents raise awareness of who we are, and where we come from. They 
are the fabric of what makes us a nation and define us as a people," said Dr. 
Libby O'Connell, Vice President of Historical Alliances, The History 
Channel.  "American history is not only about battlefields and landmarks, but 
is also about precious records that reflect the diversity and unity of our 
nation. Everything from Supreme Court decisions to letters and photographs tell 
our story and are worth the enormous amount of work and time -- often decades 
-- to preserve them."

SAVE OUR HISTORY: DEFINING DOCUMENTS explores the National Archive's 
preservation techniques and the hidden stories behind five diverse but 
continuously relevant documents including:

*  Bill of Rights

Intrigue and risky detective work are part of a sting operation to recover a 
highly valuable handwritten copy of the Bill of Rights.  Of the original 14 
copies only 9 still exist. In 5 states their copy of the Bill of Rights has 
been lost or missing. When one turns up, it takes the quick thinking and 
collaborative efforts of the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, two 
governors, the FBI and the U.S. Attorney's office to recover the document and 
get it back into the rightful hands of the state of North Carolina.

*  Fair Labor Standard Act

Their labor was cheap but their hardship was incalculable.  In the early 1900's 
2 million children under the age of sixteen worked in the harsh fields and 
factories of America.  Regardless of their health or safety, children as young 
as 5 labored in coalmines, textile mills and unregulated sweat shops. The 
National Child Labor Committee was formed and made an effort to put a face to 
the atrocities, but it was the fire tragedy at the Triangle Shirt Waist Factory 
in New York that galvanized the American public behind reform.

*  Brown versus the Board of Education

Although this class action suit was filed on behalf of African-American 
elementary school students in 1954, it not only ignited the Civil Rights 
Movement of the 50's and 60's but has influenced the Women's Movement of the 
1970's and the Gay Rights movement of the 80's and 90's.  It took two decades 
to bring Brown v. the Board of Education to the Supreme Court but its message 
that no matter his or her race, gender or sexual orientation, everyone deserves 
an equal chance has changed the country forever.

*  John Glenn & Friendship 7

It was the dark days of the Cold War and the Soviet-inspired space race. The 
challenge to be the first man to orbit earth fell to an American test pilot, 
John Glenn.  Although it meant functioning under stressful conditions in the 
tiny capsule known as Friendship 7, Glenn accepted the risks.  The transcript 
of that trip including his dazzling description of seeing earth is a historical 
treasure.  A pioneer of space, Glenn subsequently accomplished three orbits of 
the earth but due to serious malfunctions he nearly didn't make it home the 
first time. His words on that journey are preserved and reflect his 
awe-inspiring act of courage.

*  Jackson's Removal Act, The Treaty of Fort Laramie, The Dawes Act

Native American casino owners hit the jackpot.  They pay no taxes nor do any 
federal, state or local laws govern them.  Ironically, due to three milestone 
Native American related documents, there are 569 tribes recognized by the 
federal government as independent sovereign states.   Historical documents 
including Andrew Jackson's Removal Act, The Treaty of Fort Laramie and The 
Dawes Act have tried to manage "the Indian problem."   Their immediate 
implications caused hardship and suffering but the Native American tribes still 
managed to maintain their sovereignty.  Finally, some of the tribes are reaping 
financial benefits due to their sovereign status.

Educational outreach forms are an important component of the initiative. 
Educators can request an 88-page resource book, complete with lesson plans and 
primary sources. Sponsored by The History Channel and created by educational 
experts at National History Day and the National Archives, complimentary copies 
are available by e-mailing savehistory@xxxxxxxx or visiting 
www.historychannel.com .

Now reaching 86 million Nielsen subscribers, The History Channel brings history 
to life in a powerful manner and provides an inviting place where people 
experience history personally and connect their own lives to the great lives 
and events of the past.  The History Channel is the only place "Where the Past 
Comes Alive."  The History Channel received the prestigious Governor's award 
from the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences for the network's "Save Our 
History(R)" campaign dedicated to historic preservation and history 
education.  The History Channel web site is located at 
http://www.historychannel.com.

SOURCE  The History Channel

CO:  History Channel

ST:  New York

SU:

Web site:  http://www.HistoryChannel.com

http://www.prnewswire.com

12/08/2003 10:07 EST 

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