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
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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?
The Ancient Indigenous Roots of Pumpkin Pie
Fall has arrived and with it, pumpkins! Covering stoops across the US, pumpkins are a part of the aesthetics of fall as well as the menu. While we already shared the ancient origins of pumpkin pie spice, we want to dive into the ancient Indigenous origins of pumpkin pie too!
Ancient Science: How did ancient people explain the moon and eclipses?
Did you know that Mark Twain used a solar eclipse as a plot device in A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court? Hank, the protagonist, time-travels to Camelot. He avoids execution by “predicting” an eclipse. Long before Twain created Hank, ancient astronomers observed the heavens and recorded their observations. Let’s look at what some of them […]
The Austronesian History of PSLs
Do you like pumpkin spice lattes? Are you obsessed with PSL season? If so, you have the ancient Austronesian peoples to thank! Confused? Let’s walk you through the ancient, global history of the spices that go into your favorite fall treat.