My nephew once asked me why he should have to learn about history. He wasn't going to use it anyway. That is the common complaint of all children, but I've figured out why people say such things. Largely because they feel no personal connection to that history.
Which led me the realization of why ancient cultures might have used an oral story telling to share their history with the young beyond the lack of writing implements or materials. When you are telling somebody the story, person to person, you are connecting to them across generations. It becomes real, because it is the story of your people, told by your people. In that reality of history, it becomes easier to remember and it would inspire these young people to make their own stories, tell their own tales, and become part of the heroic past.
I answered my nephew, thusly: not knowing history is like taking the sun, moon and stars out of the sky; you will never know if it is day or night and you will quickly lose your way.
All week long I've been talking about saving an important piece of history and, in a way, saving one of the stars from falling out of the night sky. We have been trying to save the flame of liberty at the liberty memorial for months now and I came late to the game. But I was lucky that I was invited to the memorial and museum for a little interview and tour (the rest of you can eat your hearts out). So, I took my camera out and video the interview and experience.
Here is another video, overviewing more of the museum and another piece by the local news about efforts to save the flame.
Here is a great piece about Frank Buckles, last surviving soldier from World War I, who was recently honored at the Liberty Memorial.
Which led me the realization of why ancient cultures might have used an oral story telling to share their history with the young beyond the lack of writing implements or materials. When you are telling somebody the story, person to person, you are connecting to them across generations. It becomes real, because it is the story of your people, told by your people. In that reality of history, it becomes easier to remember and it would inspire these young people to make their own stories, tell their own tales, and become part of the heroic past.
I answered my nephew, thusly: not knowing history is like taking the sun, moon and stars out of the sky; you will never know if it is day or night and you will quickly lose your way.
All week long I've been talking about saving an important piece of history and, in a way, saving one of the stars from falling out of the night sky. We have been trying to save the flame of liberty at the liberty memorial for months now and I came late to the game. But I was lucky that I was invited to the memorial and museum for a little interview and tour (the rest of you can eat your hearts out). So, I took my camera out and video the interview and experience.
Here is another video, overviewing more of the museum and another piece by the local news about efforts to save the flame.
Here is a great piece about Frank Buckles, last surviving soldier from World War I, who was recently honored at the Liberty Memorial.
