Slavery in America began in 1619. It destroyed countless lives and led to a war that nearly tore the country in half. Slaves were counted as 3/5 of a person and were treated as pieces of property. Many brave Americans fought to abolish slavery and to provide equality for all people. Harriet Tubman became a conductor for the Underground Railroad and led 300 people to freedom. President Abraham Lincoln emancipated the slaves and reunited the country. In 1869, Congress passed the Fifteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, guaranteeing all men the right to vote. Congress also created the Freedmen’s Bureau to help former slaves find food, shelter, schools, and hospitals. Despite the great changes made, racism and injustice continued to exist and African Americans fought for equality for many years after slavery was banned.
Martin Luther King Jr. grew up knowing that there needed to be a change in the way that African Americans were treated, and he held a dream from the time he was a young boy that he would help make that change happen. Unlike most of the activists in the Civil Rights Movement, Martin Luther King Jr. was committed to nonviolence.
In The Liberty Bell: Saving the Sound of Freedom, the Mickley family realizes that they might be the only ones that can save the important Old State House Bell as they run from the British. Though they risk their lives and must leave most of their belongings behind, they know that they have an important job to do. Based on actual events, this story brings the importance of the Liberty Bell to life.
Abigail lived during times which were much more difficult for women than today. Despite this fact, Abigail Adams traveled, believed in women’s rights, and experienced the American Revolution. A devoted wife, mother, and American patriot, Abigail influenced history by helping her husband, John, make important decisions.
Store clerks help people shop. Many years ago, stores were smaller and store clerks had to perform most of the jobs in the store. Today, stores are larger and usually employ several store clerks to help. Store clerks today must know how to use computers to do their jobs.
Throughout history, people have recorded ideas and important events in their lives and communities. Methods of writing have changed greatly over the years. Today, computers make a writer’s job much easier and enable people to write and publish more material than ever before.
Phillis Wheatley was the first black person in America to have a book published, opening the door for other black writers and female authors. She was kidnapped and brought to the colonies as a child and served as a slave to a family in Boston. Phillis learned to read and write at a young age.
Bank tellers help people take care of their money. Long ago, bank tellers did most of their work by hand. Today, computers make their work faster and easier. There are even machines called Automatic Teller Machines, or ATMs. Although convenient, ATMs cannot replace bank tellers.
Farmers are important because they grow the food that people eat. Modern equipment enables farmers to grow more food for an ever-increasing world population.
Sanitation workers remove the trash and garbage that people and businesses produce. Increasing amounts of garbage and trash are becoming a problem in our world today.
The first teachers in the United States were students who did well in school and were hired to teach other students. Today, teachers must have college degrees to teach. Schools today are larger than those in the past and often have several separate classes at the same grade level.
Government leaders help to govern our country, our states, and our cities. They make important decisions, solve problems, and see that laws are enforced. The people they serve elect most government officials. Long ago, there were not as many government officials as there are today because the United States had a smaller population.
