| When many people hear the word "history," they often | | | | Washington himself--had made it across the river, and |
| groan with dismay. After all, who cares about all those | | | | they were hours late because of the storm. Nothing |
| dates and facts? Why do teachers torture children by | | | | daunting Washington, he ordered the men to surprise |
| making them memorizing all those facts? The truth is | | | | the Hessian soldiers stationed at Trenton. In less than |
| that history--real history--is exciting! What exactly is | | | | forty-five minutes the Continental Army had |
| history anyway? According to the new Webster | | | | conquered the enemy. Washington's victory at |
| dictionary it is, "The branch of knowledge that deals | | | | Trenton was a turning point of the American |
| systematically with the recording, analyzing, and | | | | Revolution. After that victory, the United States began |
| explaining of past events." But the original 1828 Noah | | | | winning more battles, and they eventually won the war. |
| Webster Dictionary says, "History and story are the | | | | Yes, that story is exciting! But when we simply have |
| same word differently written." | | | | children memorize that "On December 26, 1776, |
| Did you notice that? Our modern idea of history is | | | | Washington defeated the Hessians at Trenton," we |
| systematic recording, and the old definition is a story. | | | | strip all the drama and excitement out of the event. |
| Well, if history was presented in story form it would | | | | Yes, the date is significant, but the actions of brave |
| certainly be more interesting! Perhaps that is why | | | | humans is what makes it important. |
| historical fiction is so popular. If we had a choice | | | | Here are 5 ways to liven up history: |
| between a 400 page dry history book and an exciting | | | | |
| 250 page story, most of us would choose to read the | | | | 1. Look for the story behind the event. |
| shorter, more interesting book. The down side of | | | | 2. Find out about the people who made the event |
| historical fiction is that often fact and fiction are so | | | | happen. They were humans just like us. What made |
| intertwined; it is hard to tell what is true and what is | | | | then tick? Why did they do what they did? |
| made up. | | | | 3. Get a visual whenever possible. Pictures, art, and |
| Nearly everyone would agree that the story of | | | | movies help bring the event alive. |
| Washington and his ragged army crossing the ice | | | | 4. Make a dish that would have been eaten during that |
| choked Delaware River is exciting. On a cold, stormy | | | | era. |
| Christmas night, Washington made a daring attack on | | | | 5. Do something hands on. Make a diorama, draw a |
| the town of Trenton. He and his men made a | | | | picture, or sing a song. |
| dangerous trip across the partly frozen Delaware | | | | History is exciting; learning about it should be enjoyable |
| River before they began marching towards Trenton. | | | | too! |
| When they arrived at Trenton, only one group--led by | | | | |