Groundhog Day, celebrated each year on February 2, is a lighthearted tradition centered on Punxsutawney Phil, the famous groundhog who predicts the arrival of spring. Rooted in German Candlemas customs brought to Pennsylvania by immigrants, the holiday holds that if Phil sees his shadow, winter will last six more weeks; if not, spring will come early. First noted in an 1886 Pennsylvania newspaper, the tradition has grown into a major annual celebration in Punxsutawney, drawing thousands of visitors who gather for fun, folklore, and a reminder that, as scripture teaches, there is a season for every purpose under heaven.

Read the full article here: https://familyschool.org/spotlight/groundhogday-8

This episode was created using Notebook LM voice-overs and original research by Rosemary Pollock, historian and published author, who holds an MA in U.S. History and an MA in U.S. History with a focus on the History of Science and Medicine.

Produced by Isaac Okawa with American Heritage Worldwide.

National Freedom Day commemorates February 1, 1865, when President Abraham Lincoln signed the resolution that led to the Thirteenth Amendment abolishing slavery in the United States. The day was founded by Major Richard Robert Wright Sr., a former slave and educator who dedicated his life to advancing education, economic opportunity, and freedom for African Americans. Officially recognized in 1948, National Freedom Day invites reflection on the meaning of liberty and the responsibility to preserve it. It reminds Americans that freedom is both a gift and a duty, strengthened through service, faith, and commitment to justice for all.

Read the full article here: https://familyschool.org/spotlight/freedom-day-7

This episode was created using Notebook LM voice-overs and original research by Rosemary Pollock, historian and published author, who holds an MA in U.S. History and an MA in U.S. History with a focus on the History of Science and Medicine.

Produced by Isaac Okawa with American Heritage Worldwide.

The first prayer in the Continental Congress was offered on September 7, 1774, at Carpenters’ Hall in Philadelphia by Reverend Jacob Duché, a respected Anglican minister chosen with support from leaders such as Benjamin Franklin and John Adams. At a tense moment when war with Great Britain seemed imminent, Duché read from Psalm 35 and offered an extemporaneous prayer that deeply moved the delegates, including George Washington and the Adams cousins. John Adams later wrote that the prayer united men of different colonies and denominations and brought many to tears, reflecting the Founders’ belief in God’s providence and the role of prayer at the beginning of America’s fight for independence.

Read the full article here: https://familyschool.org/spotlight/first-prayer-5

This episode was created using Notebook LM voice-overs and original research by Rosemary Pollock, historian and published author, who holds an MA in U.S. History and an MA in U.S. History with a focus on the History of Science and Medicine.

Produced by Isaac Okawa with American Heritage Worldwide.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt, born January 30, 1882, in Hyde Park, New York, served as the 32nd President of the United States from 1933 until his death in 1945 and led the nation through the Great Depression and World War II. Despite being paralyzed from the waist down by polio in 1921, FDR returned to public service with the support of his wife, Eleanor Roosevelt, and became a symbol of strength and perseverance. His New Deal programs, often called “alphabet soup,” aimed to provide relief, recovery, and reform through initiatives like the CCC, WPA, TVA, and Social Security. Through his fireside chats, Roosevelt built trust and confidence with Americans during times of fear and hardship, leaving a lasting legacy of leadership and resilience.

Read the full article here: https://familyschool.org/spotlight/FDR-birthday-7

This episode was created using Notebook LM voice-overs and original research by Rosemary Pollock, historian and published author, who holds an MA in U.S. History and an MA in U.S. History with a focus on the History of Science and Medicine.

Produced by Isaac Okawa with American Heritage Worldwide.

National Puzzle Day celebrates the joy, challenge, and benefits of solving puzzles with family and friends, highlighting how cooperative games increase happiness, relaxation, and a sense of accomplishment. From ancient labyrinths to modern jigsaw puzzles, puzzles have entertained and educated people for centuries, helping develop problem-solving skills, memory, and creativity in both children and adults. Just as puzzles require patience and persistence, life’s challenges often take time to resolve, reminding us to seek guidance, be patient, and trust that understanding will come when the pieces finally fit together.

Read the full article here: https://familyschool.org/spotlight/puzzles

This episode was created using Notebook LM voice-overs and original research by Rosemary Pollock, historian and published author, who holds an MA in U.S. History and an MA in U.S. History with a focus on the History of Science and Medicine.

Produced by Isaac Okawa with American Heritage Worldwide.

Dedicated on January 28, 1940, in San Diego, California, the Mormon Battalion Monument commemorates the sacrifices of more than 500 Latter-day Saint pioneers who enlisted in the U.S. Army during the Mexican-American War at the request of President James K. Polk. The battalion completed one of the longest infantry marches in American history, traveling nearly 2,000 miles from Iowa to California while helping open vital routes across the American Southwest. Their service demonstrated faith, endurance, and patriotism, and their legacy continues to inspire courage and dedication in the face of hardship.

Read the full article here: https://familyschool.org/spotlight/mormonbattalion-monument-6

This episode was created using Notebook LM voice-overs and original research by Rosemary Pollock, historian and published author, who holds an MA in U.S. History and an MA in U.S. History with a focus on the History of Science and Medicine.

Produced by Isaac Okawa with American Heritage Worldwide.

International Holocaust Remembrance Day, observed on January 27, commemorates the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration and extermination camp in 1945 and honors the memory of the more than six million Jewish men, women, and children murdered during the Holocaust, along with millions of other victims of Nazi persecution. Auschwitz has become a powerful symbol of the atrocities of World War II, where approximately 1.1 million people were killed before Soviet forces liberated the remaining survivors. Remembering the Holocaust reminds us of the importance of defending freedom, standing against hatred, and teaching future generations so that such horrors are never repeated.

Read the full article here: https://familyschool.org/spotlight/liberation-auschwitz-7

This episode was created using Notebook LM voice-overs and original research by Rosemary Pollock, historian and published author, who holds an MA in U.S. History and an MA in U.S. History with a focus on the History of Science and Medicine.

Produced by Isaac Okawa with American Heritage Worldwide.

In a 1784 letter to his daughter, Benjamin Franklin criticized the bald eagle’s moral character and praised the turkey as a more respectable and courageous bird, sparking the enduring myth that he preferred the turkey as America’s national symbol. While Franklin never formally proposed the turkey, his comments reflected his belief in honesty, hard work, and moral virtue. After several failed design attempts by committees including Franklin, Jefferson, and Adams, Congress adopted the Great Seal of the United States in 1782 featuring the bald eagle, a choice that continues to invite reflection on the values America seeks to represent.

Read the full article here: https://familyschool.org/spotlight/franklinbird-greatseal-7

This episode was created using Notebook LM voice-overs and original research by Rosemary Pollock, historian and published author, who holds an MA in U.S. History and an MA in U.S. History with a focus on the History of Science and Medicine.

Produced by Isaac Okawa with American Heritage Worldwide.