Understanding history is obviously important; it’s one of our core beliefs here at One Day University. However, there is no single version of often-recounted historical events that everyone considers fully accurate and true. In fact, some of them may or may not have even happened! In other words, nobody is really quite sure if they’re fact or fiction…and that’s the theme of this week’s Weekly Scholar.
A Lifetime of Activism
Rosa Parks is best known for her pivotal role in the 1955 Montgomery bus boycott. However, she was a passionate and effective activist for civil rights her entire life– not just that one day, as most people have come to believe. Learn more about it from Wellesley’s Brenna Wynn Greer:
No, They Didn’t Really Change Names
Virtually everyone knows that U.S. government officials changed the names of some immigrants when they came to this country, entering through Ellis Island. However, as explained by Boston U professor, Vincent Cannato – virtually everyone is wrong!
Did that War Really Happen?
The Trojan War is an integral part of fascinating stories told throughout the world. Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey provide great detail. But…well, um, did this war actually happen? And was there ever a person named “Homer,” anyway? According to Kean University professor, Christopher Bellitto, the answer is almost certainly yes. This video clip is part of a full, one-hour lecture that was presented earlier this week and is available to One Day U Members in our video library.
What Really Happened? We Don’t Know.
We’ve all heard the story of the Mayflower, so we know the details of what happened on the journey from England and when the Pilgrims arrived in Provincetown Harbor. But, as Stanford Professor Caroline Winterer explains, we actually don’t know very much at all about what really happened.
Everybody Was Not on the Same Team
In 1776, every American in all 13 colonies was enthusiastic about breaking away from the British and achieving independence from the tyrannical King George. True? Well, no. In this next clip, Baruch College’s Carol Berkin elaborates.
And Where Did that Red Suit Come From?
Spoiler Alert: there is no Santa Claus. But the myth and image of Santa is quite real, and it differs from country to country. Holy Cross Professor Edward O’Donnell tells us how the American version evolved in a surprising way 100 years ago.
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