#1 December 29-January 4
Introducing “This Week in American History” Blog Series
As we approach the 250th anniversary of the founding of our nation in 2026, we’re excited to launch a new blog series designed to help children connect with the rich history of the United States. The This Week in American History blog series will explore significant events, people, and milestones from our country’s past, offering engaging ways to make history come alive for your families.
Each week, this blog series will include links to Real Cool History for Kids podcast episodes when applicable! There will also be a digital resource packet of coloring or activity pages for each event available in my shop* each week. Plus, once a month, we’ll feature a bonus post highlighting world history or geography from that month, broadening your child’s perspective on the world.
We invite you to explore, learn, and make history come alive with your children. Each new post in the series will be available right here at angelaodell.com.
* Each week’s coloring and activity page bundle will be available to Patreon members as part of their membership perks!
This Week in History!
December 29:
In 1845, Texas became the 28th state of the United States. A long time ago, Texas was its own country! But on December 29, 1845, Texas decided to join the United States as the 28th state. People were excited because Texas brought a lot of land, and it helped the United States grow bigger and stronger! Episode 96: Remember the Alamo!
December 30:
In 1903, the Wright brothers made their first successful flight. On this day, two brothers, Orville and Wilbur Wright, changed the world forever. They captured the first successful flight in their homemade flying machine. It was a short flight, but it was the start of a whole new way for people to travel. Can you imagine how excited everyone must have been when they saw the first plane fly? In Episode 10, I tell the story of the first real flight taken, but since it was not caught on film, it didn’t make history. Listen to the story of Gustave’s Flying Machine (Episode 10)!
January 1:
In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. On January 1, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln signed an important paper that helped change America forever. The Emancipation Proclamation declared that all enslaved people in the United States were free. It was a huge step forward for the United States! Listen to the story of Abraham Lincoln, Leader Extraordinaire! (Episode 115)
January 2:
In 1492, Christopher Columbus sailed to the New World. Although Columbus sailed in 1492, his voyage had a big impact on American history. On January 2, Columbus’s journey to the Americas started a new chapter in history that would eventually lead to the discovery of America by Europeans. Even though the Native Americans were already living here, Columbus’s journey brought new people and ideas to the continent.
January 4:
In 1936, the Hoover Dam was completed. On January 4, 1936, the Hoover Dam was finished. This massive dam, located on the border between Arizona and Nevada, was built to help provide water and electricity to the region. It was a giant project, and it helped change the lives of many people living in the American Southwest. The Hoover Dam still stands today as an amazing symbol of engineering and hard work.
December 29 – January 4
This Week in American History
Enjoy this printable resources featuring coloring pages and a short history summary for each historical event. Remember, you can get this printable as well as the other upcoming resources in this series and many other bonuses by becoming a member on our Patreon platform.
Understanding the connections in our history is key to helping children develop a sense of identity and connection to their country. As they learn about historical figures, pivotal moments, and the struggles that shaped the nation, they can better appreciate the freedoms they enjoy today. As Benjamin Franklin wisely said, “Freedom is not a gift bestowed upon us by other men, but a right that belongs to us by the laws of God.” The price of freedom is never free. Each generation is responsible for passing the torch to the next. This is the foundational reason I wrote the America’s Story series as a starting point for your family’s history learning journey.
10 Comments