Secondary – February 22

Poet Edna St. Vincent Millay, born on this date in 1892, once asked a friend to send good advice in a letter. “I promise not to follow it,” she said. What advice would you give a friend, and do you think s/he would follow it?

Secondary – February 21

“The history of all hitherto existing society is the history of class struggles.” The Communist Manifesto was first published on this date in 1848. Explain what you think Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels meant when they wrote this, and whether you agree.

Secondary – February 20

Ansel Adams was born on this date in 1902. Explain why you agree or disagree with his statement, “Not everybody trusts paintings but people believe photographs.”

Secondary – February 19

On this date in 1942, the US government began moving Japanese-Americans living on or near the Pacific coast to internment camps. They remained interned until the war ended and they were allowed to return to their homes in January 1945. Write one paragraph arguing this was a logical national defense position during World War II, and one paragraph disputing that position.

Secondary – February 18

On this date in 1884, Mark Twain’s Adventures of Huckleberry Finn was first published. Defend your position on whether it is right or wrong to help someone who is breaking an unjust law.

Secondary – February 17

Choose an historical figure you have learned about whom you would most like to be for a day, and explain what you would do on a day you pick from that person’s life.

Secondary – February 16

Sonny Bono was born on this date in 1935. Make the case that celebrity is a qualification or disqualification for public office.

Secondary – February 15

Italian astronomer and physicist Galileo Galilei, born on this date in 1564, once wrote, “I have never met a man so ignorant that I couldn’t learn something from him.” Explain what you think Galileo meant and defend your disagreement or agreement.