We Are Citizen Historians

Premise

Most of us older folks grew-up in an America where God and Country were important ingredients to our upbringing. Our parents and grandparents understood their responsibility to prepare us to be good, productive, patriotic citizens and the public school system did its part in the process. We were taught the remarkable history of our grand Republic and we understood those principles that empowered Americans to achieve unparalleled freedom and prosperity.

This is no longer true. The 2010 National Assessment of Educational Progress recently released by the U.S. Department of Education revealed that only twelve percent of high school seniors have a proficient knowledge of American History.

We cannot survive as a nation if our young people fail to appreciate the exceptional history and heritage of the United States of America.

Citizen Historians

Few of us have a degree in history, but we all have under our belts a lifetime of studying the American experience. Thus we are Citizen Historians who can plant seeds of knowledge in students about our history that will hopefully blossom into a full appreciation of what it really means to be an American.

Mission

We must use the power of the Internet to recruit a nationwide brigade of volunteers and organize them into local committees that can implement educational events for our young people.

Citizen Historians cannot present programs in classrooms; in most instances this assistance would not be welcomed by “the powers that be" in public school education. Nevertheless, Citizen Historians can provide an outside forum to supplement what children are taught in school regarding our national heritage.

Historically accurate, non-ideological stories of American patriots and important events presented by Citizen Historians can inspire students to gain greater knowledge and understanding beyond the classroom.  One or two day events presented by Citizen Historians can motivate students to learn the underlying reasons why the United States has provided its people with the highest level of individual liberty and equal justice under the law ever achieved by mankind.

Presentation

Presentations will include such topics as Plimoth Plantation; Jamestown; the Thirteen Colonies; the Declaration of Independence; the War for American Independence; the Founding Fathers; the Constitution; Westward Expansion; the Civil War; the Industrial Age; The War to End All Wars; The Great Depression; World War II; the Korean War; the Cold War; and Vietnam.

These are not history courses taught by professional educators, but the telling of true and inspiring historical stories that will encourage youngsters to learn more about our common heritage ... moments of great courage and sacrifice ... momentous accomplishments ... the overcoming of adversity ... all those things that made possible the founding and preservation of the United States of America.

For instance, few people know how much the fifty-six signers of the Declaration of Independence suffered for their courageous stand. Those men truly did pledge to each other their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor. Inspirational stories such as these reveal that our nation's freedom was dearly-bought and that each generation must do its part to maintain our precious birthright.

Accomplishment

When enlightened by historical knowledge, students can grasp how much they stand to lose if we thoughtlessly forfeit our exceptional potential for individual freedom and economic opportunity. History proves that liberty is fragile and may be lost if not cherished and protected. It cannot be taken for granted.

If we are successful in this endeavor, Citizen Historians will have met their responsibility to the next generation and our posterity will be better equiped to preserve their unalienable rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

 

If not us, then who?

If not now, then when?

 

Please let us know if you are interested in joining our association. Citizen Historians with a broad array of skills are needed to organize and implement these events. Only a few must be the storytellers. Please click the icon below to send an e-mail.

CitizenHistorians.Org

Copyright 2011. We Are Citizen Historians. Updated 21 January 2012