Trying to Find a Topic? Try here

http://zinnedproject.org/teaching-materials/#filter_themes_top
This helps you narrow your topics by time period or theme

http://sundown.afro.illinois.edu/content.php?file=liesmyteachertoldme-toc.html
A book that details the topics in American History that were least accurate in 12 US History textbooks.  The table of contents (here) is a great place to start brainstorming.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/five-myths-about-why-the-south-seceded/2011/01/03/ABHr6jD_story.html
Five myths about why the south seceded from the north, for those of you interested in the Civil War and Abraham Lincoln.  Short and sweet.


Ideas:
* Memorial Day--how did it REALLY start?  Do we honor those who died in war the way we should?
* Christopher Columbus--does he deserve a day?  Do the Native Americans?
* Abraham Lincoln--does he get too much or too little credit?
* The Civil War--why was it fought?  Who was heroic or deserving of a memorial?

Memorial Day Monument Resources

http://www.americaslibrary.gov/jb/recon/jb_recon_memorial_1.html

* Quick site for background.  Good place to look first.

http://zinnedproject.org/materials/whom-will-we-honor-memorial-day/

* Howard Zinn's opinion piece on Memorial Day--famous for being anti-war and honoring of the dead by preventing future violence 

http://zinnedproject.org/materials/the-first-decoration-day/

* A people's history of Memorial Day--less traditional than most Memorial Day remembrance essays

http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/lesson119.shtml

* Memorial Day Internet Scavenger Hunt, plus other resources

http://www.timeforkids.com/news/meaning-memorial-day/40391

* Short background on Memorial Day

http://www.usa.gov/Topics/Memorial-Day.shtml

*Includes several pieces of background from Veterans and Veterans Affairs

http://www.timeforkids.com/news/meaning-memorial-day/40391

* Short background on Memorial Day

http://www.clintonherald.com/opinion/x2117418864/Remembering-why-we-celebrate-Memorial-Day?zc_p=1#sthash.kpeOLpW7.dpuf

* History of why poppies are handed out for Memorial Day

http://www.chicagonow.com/interesting-chicago/2014/05/memorial-day-is-the-day-of-the-dead/

* Opinion piece on the meaning of Memorial Day and how it should be celebrated

http://life.time.com/history/faces-of-the-american-dead-in-vietnam-life-magazine-june-1969/?iid=lf#40

* Details on LIFE magazine's way of honoring the dead during the Vietnam War--seen as patriotic by some and the opposite by others.  Good primary source.

Hero? Monument Project Topic--Haymarket Square Riots

History.com--> Short article--use this to decide if this is the topic for you

DRAMA--a walkthrough of historical documents with great background information

Chicago History Primary Source Archive--> Great place to see primary documents for yourself!

Encyclopedia Britannica

Chicago History--> This gives a good explanation on the trial's effect on the labor movement and a little history of the monuments erected because of the riot

Illinois Labor History--> This includes an interactive map and teaching guide if you're struggling for the "big idea"