Thursday Thirteen ~ Mound Builders

Thirteen Things About The Mississippi Mound Builders For more than half a millenium, the Mississippian people successfully cultivated vast agricultural settlements based on corn, squash and beans. However, the Mississippians were much more than prosperous farmers. They also developed a complex and highly organized culture based on a ritualistic relationship between the people and the land. The most notable Mississippian civil centers were Spiro Mounds in what is now eastern Oklahoma, Moundville in Alabama, Etowah Mounds in northern Georgia, and the largest and most elaborate center at Cahokia Mounds in present-day Collinsville, Illinois. Massive earthen mounds of varying size and function dominated the great Mississippian landscape. Most Mississippian cities were built around a central plaza. Social events at these plazas were certainly varied but included the popular sport of chungke (or chunkey) where men rolled stone discoidals as part of day long competitions that usually included gambling between the players. By Mississippian times, the bow and arrow had been perfected and was in common use. The Moundbuilders were highly accomplished potters, flint knappers and stone workers who also designed and created many status ornaments such as shell gorgets, ear ornaments and beads. Striking differences between the nobles and commoners showing a highly stratified society can be seen among the excavated burials with their grave goods at Moundville. The Jones Archaeological Museum was opened and dedicated on May 16, 1939 at what was then known as "Mound State Monument" (Now known as Moundville). Designated a National Historic Landmark, Emerald is one of the largest mounds in North America. Covering eight acres, Emerald Mound measures 770 by 435 feet at the base and is 35 feet high. Emerald Mound, built and used during the Mississippian period between 1250 and 1600 A.D.,was a ceremonial center for the local population, which resided in outlying villages and hamlets. Its builders were ancestors of the Natchez Indians. The period of construction of Nanih Waiya Mound is uncertain. Although its rectangular, flat-topped form is typical of Mississippian period mounds (1000 to1600 A.D.), pottery sherds found on the surface of the adjacent habitation area suggest a possible Middle Woodland time range (100 B.C. to 400 A.D.). Until archeological investigations are undertaken, however, the mound's actual age will remain unknown. (We visited Nanih Waiya Mound when we first started homeschooling). The term “Mound Builders” arose when the origin of the monuments was considered mysterious, most European Americans assuming that the Native Americans were too uncivilized for this accomplishment. In 1894, Cyrus Thompson of the Smithsonian Institution concluded that the Mound Builders were in fact the Native Americans. The earliest mounds in the United States have been found at Watson Brake near Monroe, La.; they were built in the late 4th millennium B.C. Today, the legacy of the moundbuilders is at risk. Most earthworks, lacking Emerald's visibility, are worn down to unassuming shapes in the overgrowth along remote fields and tributaries. Many have been looted or damaged by farming and construction; of almost 1,100 known sites in Arkansas, only 2 remain relatively untouched. Earthworks at Toltec, Parkin, Chucalissa, and Pinson—all state sites open to the public—testify to the greatness of the Delta's architects.

William H. Taft

William H. Taft was born September 15, 1857 in Cincinnati, Ohio.

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American Presidents Blog

Popham Colony

It was established the same year as Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement in North America, but Maine's short-lived Popham Colony has gotten scant attention.

Still, the 120 settlers led by George Popham who struggled through a cruel Maine winter at Fort St. George before abandoning the site 14 months later can claim credit for something that Jamestown can't.

"This was the first colony to build a ship - an oceangoing vessel," said Jane Stevens, whose home is within the boundary of the site of Fort St. George.

Read the rest in The Sun Herald.

History Is Elementary: Dixie Roots: Another View of Theodore Roosevelt

History Is Elementary: Dixie Roots: Another View of Theodore Roosevelt, I have always found TR fascinating so it's wonderful to learn something new about him.

And this is a fun fact about Mississippi and TR that some of you may not know.
The event which led to the creation of the Teddy Bear occurred near Onward, in 1902, when President Theodore Roosevelt, acting upon the suggestion of some friends, visited the state on a hunt for wild game. A bear was located by a member of the hunting party for the President. The bear was exhausted and possibly lame, some claim it was a mere cub. In any case, Roosevelt refused to shoot the helpless bear because he found it unsporting. News of the President's refusal to shoot the bear spread far and wide. Soon after, Morris Michtom, a New York merchant, made toy history when he created a stuffed toy bear and labeled it "Teddy's Bear. " Mr. Michtom placed the bear in the window of his candy store to draw attention. His success was so great that it led to the formation of the Ideal Toy Corporation in 1903. The Teddy Bear continues to be a favorite toy of children everywhere.

American History ~ Utah

One hundred fifty years ago, a glorious September morning in the Utah mountains turned into Mormonism's darkest hour when a skittish militia opened fire on a wagon train, leaving more than 120 men, women and children dead in a flowery field.

Now the "Mountain Meadows Massacre" is becoming more than a subject of reflection within Mormon circles. Two new films and a forthcoming book aim to tell the nation what happened, why and, perhaps most important, whether the revered Mormon prophet Brigham Young ordered the killing.

This is an interesting bit of American History that is often overlooked in today's textbooks. I'll be honest I don't know much about it, other then it happened. I am looking forward to doing some research and learning more.

Thursday Thirteen ~ The Mesoamerica Edition

Thirteen Things about Mesoamerica 1500 -1200 BC Olmecs build San Lorenzo. 1100 BC A second Olmec city is built at La Venta. c. 600-400 BC May build a living and ceremonial centre at Nakbe. c. 500BC Zapotecs build Monte Alban. AD 150 The Pyramid of the Sun is built a Teotihuacan. c. AD800 Murals painted at Bonampak. 1481 The Aztec Sun Stone is erected in Tenochtitlan. 1492 Spanish explorers land in the West INdies. In 1502 Christopher Columbus meets Maya traders in the Gulf of Honduras. 1502 Moctezuma II, the last independent Aztec ruler, becomes tlatoani in Tenochtitlan. 1521 Tenochtitlan falls to Cortes and his Spanish troops on 13 August after a siege of 93 days. c.1550 Members of the nobility among the Quiche, a group of southern Maya, secretly translate the Maya sacred book Popol Vuh ("Book of Advice") into the Roman alphabet in a bid to save it from the book burning zeal of Spanish monks. 1566 Bishop Diego de Landa completes his Report of Things of Yucantan 1703 Quiche speaking Franciscan friar Francisco Ximenez finds Popol Vuh and translates it into Spanish. Credit The Lost History of Aztec & Maya by Charles Phillips. For anyone interested in Mesoamerican History I highly recommend this book.

The original focus of the war was not to free the slaves, but to preserve the Union.

EHT has a lovely post Did Lincoln Make a Deal With God? at American Presidents Blog.

I am not surprised that the majority of people today think that slavery was the cause of the Civil War (War Between the States or whatever other name you want to call it). It shows a lack of knowledge going all the way back to the Revolutionary War, as many of the issues that led to the Civil War were problems even then. To often we are satisfied with simple answers to complex questions.

EHT also points out the perils of ignoring religion when teaching history. Religion shaped our country to pretend otherwise does everyone a disservice. Our constitution guarantees freedom of religion, Why? Because our founders knew first hand the problems caused when one group tried to force their religious beliefs on another group. They were well versed in the history of the Reformation. It seems that in the modern rush to ban the promotion of religion in public schools we are also throwing the religious history of our nation out.

Learn about Mesoamerica

The National Geographic has an article on the Maya. Enjoy the field notes, photo gallery, interactive map and then test your knowledge with the quiz.

Visit La Venta online.

Visit Monte Alban online

History Is Elementary: Oh, I Love to Tell the Story...

History Is Elementary: Oh, I Love to Tell the Story...
I think it is very imnport to teach kids to understand what motivates someone like Benedict Arnold or what causes a great political leader like Button Gwinnett to self-destruct as he did. Teaching students to evaluate the actions of historical characters is just one step towards developing citizens that can analyze events as their life unfolds---events that effect taxes, waging war, and most importantly elections. Just imagine....a literate electorate!

I always enjoy History is Elementary, this post is superb.

Rachael Jackson

Rachael Jackson was born June 15, 1767.

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American Presidents Blog

The Blount Report

James Henderson Blount died in 1903. Little did he know, when he first took up arms against the USA in 1861 to destroy the American Union, that his later political actions would serve as a rallying cry for future generations of American separatists. As unlikely as Hawaiian secession is from the USA, if it ever happens, the Blount Report can be cited a major factor. As other parts of the USA (Texas, Alaska, and all of the former Confederacy) can make similar claims of illegal occupation based on supposed illegal acts of annexation, invasion, or being part of the USA against the will of the citizens, a legal precedent set for Hawaii would ripple throughout the American nation. James Henderson Blount, that obscure rebel and separatist from Georgia, may well have more of an impact on history than he ever imagined.

Read the rest at World History Blog.

Civil War Resource

HT History is Elementary

Jefferson Davis

Jefferson Davis was born June 3, 1808, in that portion of Christian county, Kentucky, which was afterwards set off as Todd county.

Beauvoir & The Jefferson Davis Presidential Library were damaged during Katrina. Hopefully they will be reopened soon. We were lucky enough to get to go on an archaeological dig at Beauvoir and it is a wonderful place.

Alasandra's Book Club ~ Anthem by Ayn Rand

Great book, and surprisingly easy to read (For Star Trek fans think Borg). Equality 7-2521 lives in a world in which it is forbidden to be alone. You are raised in the Home of Infants until you are five, then you are sent to the Hall of Students.

This is a great sin, to be born with a head which is too quick. It is not good to be different from our brothers, but it is evil to be superior to them.

Scared yet?
At 15 you are sent to the Home of Vocations where you are told what job you will have. Equality 7-2521 was condemned to be a street sweeper. But he found an abandoned tunnel from the Unmentionable Times, discovered electricity and fell in love with Liberty 5-3000 (never mind that it is strictly forbidden to talk to members of the opposite sex).

He took his find to the Hall of Scholars where it was rejected and he was forced to flee into the Uncharted Forest to escape from being burned at the stake. Liberty 5-3000 follows him into the forest......................


We are using this book in our American Literature unit. First we will study Ayn Rand, and discuss how difficult it must have been to write a book in English, when her native tongue was Russian. Anthem was written in 1937, so we are also going to discuss what America was like during that time period. Thanks to the Ayn Rand Institute we also have a study guide and lesson plans for the book.

Harry S. Truman

Harry S. Truman was born May 8, 1884 in Lamar, Missouri.

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American Presidents Blog

Gardens, Kittens & Odds N' Ends

Kittens 6 Weeks

The Whiskers Memorial Butterfly Garden is doing nicely. One of Hubby's co-workers donated a white wisteria to the garden. I can't wait to see it blooming next spring. The butterfly bush is blooming, it's a lovely dark purple (when I get a working camera I'll take a picture) and the butterfly weed is a nice shade of yellow. One of the camillas seems to be struggling, I am not sure what is wrong with it.

Scylla & Charybdis are growing bigger every day and getting in all sorts of trouble. Scylla's favourite sport is biting Sockie~Pooh's tail and pouncing on his tummy. They have learned to escape from the dining room/kitchen and are having a lovely time roaming over the rest of the house. They also enjoy playing outside under "Mommy's" watchful gaze. They will be going back for their nine weeks shots on the 16th.

Lord Epa will be having his wisdom teeth removed the 14th, we are going to take that week off, so he can recuperate.

Nice article in the National Geographic about Jamestown, that we will be using in our American History Unit.

Ulysses S. Grant

Ulysses S. Grant was born on April 27, 1822 in Point Pleasant, Ohio.

For more information visit

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American Presidents Blog

Civil War Unit

Most textbooks no longer tell the whole story of the Civil war. This is an incomplete list of the things I want to explore when we study the unit next year. I'll be working on it over the summer, so feel free to make suggestions.

• The complex issues that lead to the Civil War. Slavery was NOT the main reason for the war. In fact a lot of people in the North didn't care one way or another about slavery. And a lot of Southerners didn't own slaves. Don't get me wrong slavery was an issue, but it wasn't the only issue or the main reason for the war.

From American Civil War.Com

There were many reasons for a Civil War to happen in America, and political issues and disagreements began soon after the American Revolution ended in 1782. Between the years 1800 and 1860, arguments between the North and South grew more intense. One of the main quarrels was about taxes paid on goods brought into this country from foreign countries. This tax was called a tariff. Southerners felt these tariffs were unfair and aimed toward them because they imported a wider variety of goods than most Northern people. Taxes were also placed on many Southern goods that were shipped to foreign countries, an expense that was not always applied to Northern goods of equal value. An awkward economic structure allowed states and private transportation companies to do this, which also affected Southern banks that found themselves paying higher interest rates on loans made with banks in the North. The situation grew worse after several "panics", including one in 1857 that affected more Northern banks than Southern. Southern financiers found themselves burdened with high payments just to save Northern banks that had suffered financial losses through poor investment.

In the years before the

Civil War the political power in the Federal government, centered in Washington, D.C., was changing. Northern and mid-western states were becoming more and more powerful as the populations increased. Southern states lost political power because the population did not increase as rapidly. As one portion of the nation grew larger than another, people began to talk of the nation as sections. This was called sectionalism. Just as the original thirteen colonies fought for their independence almost 100 years earlier, the Southern states felt a growing need for freedom from the central Federal authority in Washington. Southerners believed that state laws carried more weight than Federal laws, and they should abide by the state regulations first. This issue was called State's Rights and became a very warm topic in congress.

If you are looking for a good work of fiction Bernard Cornwell's Starbuck Chronicles actually does a good job exploring the complex reasons for the war.

• The different people that lived in the South. Too often the South is portrayed as a land of wealthy white plantation owners and their black slaves, with no other groups represented. There were free blacks some of whom owned slaves.

Of the blacks residing in the South, 261,988 were not slaves. Of this number, 10,689 lived in New Orleans. The country's leading African American historian, Duke University professor John Hope Franklin, records that in New Orleans over 3,000 free Negroes owned slaves, or 28 percent of the free Negroes in that city.

The majority of slaveholders, white and black, owned only one to five slaves. More often than not, and contrary to a century and a half of bullwhips-on-tortured-backs propaganda, black and white masters worked and ate alongside their charges; be it in house, field or workshop. The few individuals who owned 50 or more slaves were confined to the top one percent, and have been defined as slave magnates.

Antoine Dubuclet, a black New Orleans plantation owner who held more than 100 slaves, became Louisiana state treasurer during Reconstruction, a post he held from 1868 to 1877 (10). (I wonder why they never mention him during Black History Month?)

You can read more here.

Besides plantation owners there were of course small farmers who didn't own any slaves, shop keepers, lawyers, doctors etc.

• The mistreatment of African-Americans who fled North. Specifically the Civil War Draft Riots

(In New York)

All male citizens between twenty and thirty-five and all unmarried men between thirty-five and forty-five years of age were subject to military duty. The federal government entered all eligible men into a lottery. Those who could afford to hire a substitute or pay the government three hundred dollars might avoid enlistment. Blacks, who were not considered citizens, were exempt from the draft.

On Monday, July 13, 1863, between 6 and 7 A.M., the five days of mayhem and bloodshed that would be known as the Civil War Draft Riots began.
The rioters' targets initially included only military and governmental buildings, symbols of the unfairness of the draft. Mobs attacked only those individuals who interfered with their actions. But by afternoon of the first day, some of the rioters had turned to attacks on black people, and on things symbolic of black political, economic, and social power. Rioters attacked a black fruit vendor and a nine-year-old boy at the corner of Broadway and Chambers Street before moving to the Colored Orphan Asylum on Fifth Avenue between Forty-Third and Forty-Fourth Streets.

Throughout the week of riots, mobs harassed and sometimes killed blacks and their supporters and destroyed their property. Rioters burned the home of Abby Hopper Gibbons, prison reformer and daughter of abolitionist Isaac Hopper. They also attacked white "amalgamationists," such as Ann Derrickson and Ann Martin, two women who were married to black men; and Mary Burke, a white prostitute who catered to black men.

Black men and black women were attacked, but the rioters singled out the men for special violence. On the waterfront, they hanged William Jones and then burned his body. White dock workers also beat and nearly drowned Charles Jackson, and they beat Jeremiah Robinson to death and threw his body in the river. Rioters also made a sport of mutilating the black men's bodies, sometimes sexually. A group of white men and boys mortally attacked black sailor William Williams—jumping on his chest, plunging a knife into him, smashing his body with stones—while a crowd of men, women, and children watched.

With these actions white workers enacted their desires to eradicate the working-class black male presence from the city. The Longshoreman's Association, a white labor union, patrolled the piers during the riots, insisting that "the colored people must and shall be driven to other parts of industry." But "other parts of industry," such as cartmen and hack drivers, not to mention skilled artisans, also sought to exclude black workers. The riots gave all these workers license to physically remove blacks not only from worksites, but also from neighborhoods and leisure spaces. The rioters' actions also indicate the degree to which the sensational journalists and reformers of the 1840s and 1850s had achieved their goals of convincing whites, and particularly the Irish, that interracial socializing and marriage were evil and degrading practices. The riots unequivocally divided white workers from blacks.

Quotes from an excerpt of In the Shadow of Slavery.

• Colored troops both Northern and Southern. (yes blacks did fight for the Confederacy)

Majors James W. Pegram and Thomas P. Turner put together a "Negro Brigade" of Confederate States Colored Troops. The Richmond Daily Examiner noted of the unit "the knowledge of the military art they already exhibit was something remarkable. They moved with evident pride and satisfaction to themselves."

When Lee surrendered his army at Appomattox, thirty-six African-Americans were listed on the Confederate paroles. Most were either servants, free blacks, musicians, cooks, teamsters or blacksmiths.

Read more here.

We are going to give the Civil War recipes a try, even though they sound very unappetizing.

American Literature ~Civil War Unit

A Taste of Freedom by Tommie Thompson. I am rather disappointed in the book. To me the reading level is 4th grade, but due to the content I wouldn't introduce it until at least Junior High. I have been in two mind about using it as the reading level is way below what Lord Epa is use too. I have decided to go ahead and use the book mainly because I want to introduce the topic. These are the questions I want Lord Epa to answer when he reads the book.

1. How believable is the book?
2. Do you think a slave would be able to make an informed decision about fighting for the South? Escaping North?
3. Do you think a slave and his Master could be friends? Do you think Bill was right to teach Bubba to read?
4. Since Bill disapproved of slavery why didn't he free his slaves? Do you think he was right in believing that they needed to be freed gradually? How big a part did peer pressure play in the decisions Bill made?

A royal burial

Read A royal burial in The Meridian Star. I happened to attended Calvary Christian School (K-6th grade),which at that time was across from Rose Hill cemetery, a favourite field trip was a visit to the cemetery. We often noted the food that was left on the gypsies graves, so I found it interesting to finally found out what the Gypsy Queen's funeral was like.