Celebrating Historic Black Communities: Gee’s Bend
After emancipation, many formerly enslaved Black people were faced with limited opportunities and stayed as sharecroppers at the plantations where they had been enslaved. The system of sharecropping left them perpetually in debt to the landowners and former enslavers. Gee’s Bend, Alabama was one such community.
Celebrating Historic Black Communities: Gullah-Geechee
The roots of Gullah culture are deep and begin across the Atlantic with the distinct cultures of various West and Central African nations. The majority of the enslaved people who arrived in Colonial America from Africa came through Sullivan’s Island, South Carolina where they were quarantined before proceeding to Charleston, South Carolina to be sold.
Angel Island Immigration Station: Ellis Island of the West
While many people immigrated through the better-known Ellis Island in New York, there was not a similar immigration processing station to manage immigrants coming from Asian countries via the West Coast. Angel Island off the coast of San Francisco, California opened as an immigrant detention center in 1910. It processed hundreds of thousands of immigrants mostly from China, Japan, Russia, and South Asia for over three decades until its closure in 1940.
The Middle East: What’s in a name?
The Middle East. You can’t consume the news or study history without hearing about this multicultural and multi-ethnic region. Many of us could probably point to it on a map or name some of the related countries, but it’s important to remember just how vast and vibrant this area is! Take a moment to pull […]
November Reading List: Native American Heritage Month & the History of Harvest Feasts
It’s November and here in the United States it’s Native American Heritage Month. Thanksgiving also takes place on the third Thursday of the month. This year, it’s on November 24th. The National Congress for American Indians describes Native American History Month: “The month is a time to celebrate rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories […]
Native American Heritage Month Teaching Resources
November is Native American Heritage Month. In our American History boxes, we talk about the role of Native Americans in every box. It’s only right. We need to talk about Native American history all year long, but November is a perfect time of year to do a deep dive. Here are some resources for appropriate […]
Is Wikipedia a Good Source for Historical Research?
This week we are starting a new series on historical research. In this blog post we will focus on historical research using Wikipedia, and its strengths and weaknesses. This post is by Stephanie Hanson, History Unboxed® Creative Director. When I was majoring in history, I had to write a senior thesis. The course was called […]
Happy Groundhog Day! Discover the History of Groundhog Day Traditions
Groundhog, groundhog, in your burrow, do we get to spring forward or will you see your shadow? With spring just around the corner, it’s that wonderful time of year where we look to our furry forecaster, the groundhog, to see if spring is here early or if we have 6 more weeks of winter. So […]
Five Ancient Civilizations You (Probably) Never Studied in School
When I was in 5th grade, we had an Ancient Greece festival. It was a lot of fun, especially since I pretended to be the Oracle at Delphi and told fortunes to all my classmates. We talked about ancient Greece during several different grade levels at school. I think we also studied the Egyptians and Romans in […]
Fashion and History: 7 Fun Facts
As the saying goes, everything old is new again. Fashion is one of those things that has been, and always will be, relevant. No matter how many new trends there are, clothes are something we use each and every day. Fashion is always evolving, but sometimes something that seems new to us, isn’t really all […]
Black History Month Teaching & Learning Resources 2025
Black History Month is celebrated every year from February 1-March 1 in the United States & Canada. Did you know that Black History Month is also celebrated in other countries around the world like the United Kingdom, Ireland, and the Netherlands? They celebrate Black History Month in October but the mission is the same. In […]
Black History Month Poetry Teatime
Poetry teatime is a wonderful way for parents and children to connect – whether you are a homeschooling family or looking to spend time together after a day or school or work. This month is special because it’s Black History Month and there is a rich history of poetry and verse that you can explore. […]
6 Episodes of Doctor Who for History Lovers
If you are searching for Doctor Who episodes for history lovers, you might be a Whovian! Just in case you don’t know, a “Whovian” is a fan of Doctor Who, the wibbly-wobbly timey-wimey British sci-fi show. As the Doctor travels through time and space, they often come into contact with famous historical figures or historical […]
How to Teach History in Homeschool: 5 Creative & Hands-On Ideas
Are you looking for ways to bring the study of history alive in your homeschool? Hands-on learning sparks student engagement and motivation. As homeschool parents, we love anything that brings kids to the table ready to learn! Read on for five fantastic ways to make history exciting for your learners through hands-on learning. 1. Food […]
A History of Memorial Day: Celebrating those Who Died in Battle
Did you know that Memorial Day wasn’t always called Memorial Day? If you ask your older relatives they might remember the holiday being called Decoration Day. It wasn’t until 1967 that the holiday became officially known as Memorial Day. It was established as a federal holiday on May 13th, 1938 and is celebrated on the […]
Tradition and Travel: How the Honolulu International Airport Honors Its Culture
As one of the most racially and ethnically diverse states in the US, Hawaii has a rich culture and heritage. Customs and traditions from the islands’ indigenous roots continue to flourish, and Hawaii has also become home to immigrant populations from countries like China, Japan, and the Philippines. This openness has highlighted the importance of […]
What was the Viking Revival? The History & Meaning of a Cultural Movement
In this blog post, we will explore 19th-century architecture, music, and art that were inspired by increased interest in the Vikings, often called the Viking Revival, as well as some learning resources to enhance Vikings Unboxed. Are you looking for more activities from other regions during the Middle Ages? Check out Charlemagne Unboxed and Benin […]
Ancient Eats: An Edible Exploration of the World. Discover Ancient Recipes and the Stories Behind Them
Go on a mouth watering journey through the ancient world with this family-friendly cookbook. Each of the more than 100 recipes is inspired by delicious historical dishes and adapted for ease of preparation in the modern kitchen. Taste your way through 18 cultures as you feed your mind with mythical origins and the historical significance […]
The Story of Jack (AKA, Mr. O’Lantern)
It all starts with an Irish folktale called The Legend of Stingy Jack. So who exactly is this “Stingy Jack?” As the story goes, Jack lived in a small Irish village. He was known among the villagers as a drunk and not a very nice person. In fact, the Devil himself heard many rumors about […]
The History of Valentine’s Day!
As we enter the season of rose bouquets and heart-shaped candies, I thought it’d be interesting to share the not-so-lovely story about how Cupid’s holiday came to be what it is today. The history of Valentine’s day is a bit patchy, with not a whole lot of specific details, but the story is definitely worth […]
Roman numerals, The Ides of March, and the Roman Calendar
While many people know that the Ides of March is the 15th of March, many don’t know what it actually meant and what its role in the Roman calendar was. Would it surprise you to know that the Ides of March was a sacred day long before Julius Caesar was assassinated?
The Benefits of Hands-On History Activities
You might have ended up here because you were looking for hands-on history resources. But have you ever thought about why this style of learning is so important? Sure, it’s fun. But is it effective? Short answer: Yes! Long answer: Yes, and Here’s Why! So what’s stopping you from doing hands-on history activities? Is it […]
STEM, History and Penicillin: Why History Matters in a STEM World
Guest blog post by Carol Bettencourt There is a lot of talk these days about the value of STEM – science, technology, engineering and math – in education. Proponents of a STEM-based education argue that to remain competitive, countries must educate their next generation of innovators, engineers and scientists. Job prospects and income tend to […]
Snuggle Up With Some Winter Holiday Books!
I love reading with my kids. And I especially love reading books about winter holidays. Reading books allows us to see how children and families around the world celebrate and acknowledge this special time. I’ve put together a list of some of our favorite winter holiday books here at History Unboxed that focus on Solstice, […]
Sugarplums! Recipe for a Victorian Holiday Treat
In the Victorian era, sweets made of dried fruits, with nuts, spices and sugar, were special holiday treats. These “sugar plums” were carefully prepared and then put in cones of festively colored paper to hang on the Christmas tree or packaged in pretty boxes for gifts. To create a special treat, and give yourself a […]
Women’s History Month Teatime
March is Women’s History Month and here at History Unboxed® we figured that it’s time for a Women’s History Month teatime. Check out the graphic below to learn about how Women’s History Month came to be. We’ve compiled a list of poetry and short readings we think lend themselves well to a Women’s History Month […]
Our Favorite Books for Festivals of the Dead
No matter who we are, we all come into contact with death. People around the world have their own traditions to mourn and celebrate the loss of loved ones. Americans celebrate Halloween as a spooky day with monsters and creatures. Other celebrations of the dead around the world are quite different. Books are a great […]
Plymouth Rock History for Kids: Myths, Facts, and Resources
In this post we will talk about the history of Plymouth Rock, the mythological stepping stone upon which the Pilgrims first stepped when they landed in the New World. To learn more about the Mayflower, the Pilgrims, and the Indigenous Wampanoag People check out Plymouth Unboxed or Thanksgiving Unboxed downloadable lesson. I don’t know about […]
Poetry Teatime: Saint Patrick’s Day Poetry for Kids
Saint Patrick’s Day is a wonderful opportunity to take a break with some tea, a treat, and a great poem or two. Ireland is a country full of amazing writers, so there is no shortage of people to pick from. Sometimes humorous, often melancholy, many times both, Irish poetry has something for everyone. Below, I’ve […]
Learning Resources for Ancient Pompeii
I don’t know about you, but when I think about what the city of Pompeii looked like immediately after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE, I envision a city completely buried by ash and dirt. But the city wasn’t completely buried, and tops of houses, sculptures, and other artifacts would have been poking […]
History of Languages in the Philippines by Pia Villanueva-Pulido
In celebration of Asian-American & Pacific Islander History Month, we are bringing you a special guest blog post on the history of language in the Philippines by Pia Villanueva-Pulido! Pia is an award-winning English and Humanities educator for the Gifted and Talented, a storyteller, a published freelance writer, and children’s author. She was born in […]
Celebrate Jewish American Heritage Month
May is Jewish American Heritage Month in the United States. It is a time for “hundreds of organizations and Americans of all backgrounds [to] [join] together to discover, explore, and celebrate the vibrant and varied American Jewish experience from the dawn of our nation to the present day.” In this blog post we’ll talk about […]
A Brief History of April Fools’ Day
Why It’s Important to Teach Asian American & Pacific Island History All Year Long
Why It’s Important to Teach Asian American & Pacific Island History All Year Long As this year’s Asian & Pacific Island Heritage Month comes to a close, History Unboxed® is bringing you a guest blog post by Rachel Juliette on the importance of teaching Asian & Pacific Islander history, not just during the month of […]
Hispanic Heritage Month Educational Resources
Hispanic Heritage Month starts on September 15th, and runs through October 15th. This year’s theme is Latinos: Driving Prosperity, Power, and Progress in America. The celebration starts on September 15th because that was the day that many Central American countries gained their independence. Like many of our month-long celebrations, Hispanic Heritage Month began as a […]
DON’T play this game (but here’s a few to play instead!)
‘Tis the season for getting cozy and playing games as a family. As the days get shorter, you can dust off your Monopoly, the Royal Game of Goose, or perhaps your Senet board from Ancient Egypt Unboxed. But there is one historic holiday game that we would love to share, but you absolutely should not […]
Move over, Gutenburg! Rethinking the Printing Press in a Global Story for Secular World History Learners
You likely learned in school that Johannes Gutenberg was responsible for inventing the printing press leading to a revolutionary spread of information across Europe. Religion fractured, governments were overthrown, and the arts flourished. While Gutenberg was responsible for developing the movable type printing press in Europe, a deeper look through the lens of global and […]
Why Authenticity Matters in Hands-On History Kits
At History Unboxed®, our commitment to authenticity sets us apart in the realm of education. We believe in going beyond textbooks, offering students a hands-on experience with materials sourced directly from the very places they are studying. But why is this so important to us? Cultural Authenticity When we use culturally authentic materials, it gives […]
Arab-American History Month: Celebrating Arab-American Resilience & Diversity
In 2021, American President Joe Biden was the first president to recognize National Arab-American Heritage Month. In April of 2022, the US Congress, the U.S. Department of State, and 45 states issued proclamations declaring April as Arab-American Heritage Month. Each year since then, President Biden has issued a proclamation declaring April as Arab-American Heritage Month. […]
Why Ancient Romans Collected Artifacts from Civilizations Older Than Themselves
From where we sit in time, it’s easy to lump the past together into one category, but even people living in eras long before our own could gaze in wonder at ruins and artifacts from times still older. For example, when Cleopatra looked out her window at the Great Pyramid of Khufu, she was looking […]
The Greenland Shark: What has this shark seen?
Greenland sharks are most well known for their long lifespans; the oldest specimen captured was as much as 500 years old, having been born 1504 and 1744. Can you imagine what this centuries-old shark could have seen?