Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Young Historians: Black Out

November 17, 2010

Dear Young Historians:

London, England was bombed at night a lot during WWII. It was called the “blitz.” In case the enemy could make it to the USA, the government ordered towns and cities to practice “black outs.” If the planes couldn’t see anything from the air, it was harder to drop a bomb. In Cavendish, “black outs” were held every few months. No light could shine through the curtains or from the barn. Air raid wardens went from house to house to make sure no light could be seen.

Today, we will do what the kids in Cavendish did during “black out.” They played games, sang, read, practiced Morse Code told stories and jokes and went to bed early.

1943 Timeline
• Americans join the Royal Air Force in round the clock bombing of Germany
• Italy joins the allies
• Warsaw Ghetto Uprising
• Churchill, Roosevelt and Stalin meet at the Tehran Conference
• Jacques Cousteau invents the Aqualung (scuba)
• The Allies invade Sicily and the southern tip of Italy

Books: “The Fountainhead” by Ayn Rand; “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn” by Betty Smith; “Our Hearts Were Young and Gay” by Cornelia Otis Skinner (This author’s family came from Cavendish. Her father was a well-known actor. The Golden Stage Inn was originally the Skinner home.) Newberry Winner: Adam of the Road by Elizabeth Janet Gray; Caldecott Winner: The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton

Movies: The Phantom of the Opera

Songs: Catch a Falling Star by Perry Como; Oh What a Beautiful Morning Bing Crosby; I’ll be Home for Christmas Bing Crosby; When the Lights Go On Again (All Over the World) Vaughn Monroe

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