Year by Year for Kids

Year By Year For Kids is an informative series created especially for our younger viewers. Using an unique blend of archival footage, contemporary commentary and occasional interviews with children, Year By Year For Kids provides a lively and entertaining medium to engage children in historical discussions. Year By Year For Kids examines pivotal years in America's history and presents historic events in a manner that is easily comprehended by elementary school and middle school children. Educators and their classes are encouraged to explore how attitudes toward race and gender have changed since the original showing of much of the archival newsreel footage. The subtle (and at times not so subtle) bias of the contemporary newsreels provides an excellent topic of discussion regarding America's changing cultural values.

1963

Year By Year For Kids-1963 examines one of the most turbulent years in American history. It show some of the highlights of the year, including the desegregation of the University of Alabama and Martin Luther King's March on Washington. This episode also focuses on the assassination of John F. Kennedy, and the impact of his death on the nation.

• adamant
• annals
• creed
• enigmatic
• gratification
• homage
• humility
• ominous
• repose
• revulsion
• shoals
• sniper
• throng
• treacherous
• unprecedented
• vigor

Discussion Questions

1. Nineteen sixty-three is one of the most turbulent years in American history. It is considered one of the best years in US history and one of the worst years in US history. How is 1963 one of the best, and one of the worst, years our country has experienced?

2. Civil rights leaders forced the University of Alabama to desegregate in 1963. The governor of Alabama, George Wallace vowed to prevent this from happening. Why was there so much resistance to the integration of the University?

3. When President Kennedy traveled to Germany, the people of Berlin gave him a warm and jubilant welcome. Why was Kennedy's reception in Berlin so spectacular?

4. Martin Luther King, Jr. led the historic March On Washington in 1963. There he gave his famous "I Have a Dream" speech. Has Martin Luther's dream come true in America? If so, why? If not, why not?

5. In 1963 Congress guaranteed women equal pay for equal work. Why was this necessary? How have women, like African Americans and other Americans, been exploited in the workplace?

6. The assassination of John F. Kennedy was one of the darkest days in American history. How did Kennedy's assassination affect the United States, culturally, socially and politically?

7. Why was President Kennedy's assassination so tragic for America?

Extended Activities

1. Write and obituary or memorial service for President John F. Kennedy.

2. Most people who were alive when President Kennedy was assassinated can remember where they were and what they were doing at that precise moment. Interview your parents or grandparents, or any older person who was alive in 1963 about the Kennedy assassination. What were their reactions to the tragedy? How did it change their lives?

3. Listen to a recording of Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech. Write an essay about what the speech means to you and your reactions to the speech. Why was this speech so necessary in 1963? How have things changed? Have there been enough changes?