This Month in History: March
Extend your social studies instruction with informative and inspiring content from HMH®, The HISTORY Channel, and the Center for Civic Education. Each month we bring you videos, articles, and current events designed to build cultural awareness, media literacy, and a deeper understanding of significant historical figures and events.
Classroom Resources from HMH
National Women's History Month
Month of March
In 1975, the United Nations declared March International Women’s History Month and March 8 International Women’s Day. In the 1980s, the National Women’s History Project and other groups got the U.S. Congress to declare a national Women’s History Week in the first half of March. Later the week was expanded to a month.
During Women’s History Month, we take a close look at the obvious importance of women in history. We also take time to examine how to improve the rights of women now and into the future.
The idea of honoring women in March had been around for decades before either the U.N. or U.S. declarations. In fact, for the past 90 years in Russia, March 8 has been set aside to grant special recognition to women and their role in history. On March 8, 1917, during World War I, Russian women in St. Petersburg helped lead an uprising against the Czar, and so the day eventually became a Soviet Russian day of memorial for the role of women in the Russian Revolution.
Related Links
The Birth of Women's History Month (External Link)
Read a brief history of Women's History Month in the United States.
The National Women's History Project: Writing Women Back into History (External Link)
Delve into histories and current newsletters about the accomplishments of women in the United States, from sports to politics, and from ecology to art.
Eleanor Roosevelt & Refugee Aid During the Holocaust
As Nazi Germany’s persecution of Jews intensified, and its control expanded across Europe, Eleanor Roosevelt advocated for aid to refugees who were fleeing Nazi persecution. In at least one instance, she personally tried to sponsor a refugee, and she also contributed money to aid organizations intended to fund refugees’ passage to the United States. She donated the proceeds of her “My Day” column to the American Friends Service Committee, which was actively involved both in alleviating poverty in the United States and in aiding European refugees, most of whom were Jewish.
Related Links
Americans and the Holocaust: Eleanor Roosevelt (External Link)
Classroom Resources from The HISTORY Channel
National Women’s History Month
Every March, classrooms and communities observe Women's History Month, which highlights women who have shaped our world. History.com features short video clips for Women's History Month, lesson plans and activities. Visit HISTORY online to view videos about First Ladies, women in the military, African American women and many more topics relevant to Women's History Month.
Related Links
Short Video: Rosie the Riveter (External Link)
Short video: 19th Amendment (External Link)
Famous Firsts in Women’s History ((External Link)
Students Take Action
from the Center for Civic Education
The Students Take Action service-learning feature relates stories of students who have participated in the Center for Civic Education’s Project Citizen program, which encourages students to take part in state or local government and learn how to monitor and influence public policy. Help your students become active and engaged citizens in their own communities with these resources.
Students Take Action
Creating a Library
Students Take Action
Working to Improve Community Health
Inspiring a Village
Working to Create New Laws
Students Take Action
Working to Improve the Environment
Students Take Action
Reforesting Land
Students Take Action: Working to Preserve the Past
Students Take Action: Working to Preserve the Past
Students Take Action: Preserving History
Helping the Elderly
Helping the Elderly
Educating the Public
Educating the Public
Working to Change Government Policies and Practices
Providing Emergency Care
Students Take Action: Writing a Law
Students Take Action: Working to Fight Crime
Students Take Action from the Center for Civic Education
Establishing Smoke-Free Zones
Students Take Action
Restoring School Recess
Students Take Action from the Center for Civic Education
Working to Change School Policies
Students Take Action
Righting a Wrong
Students Take Action
Working to Improve Community Health
Students Take Action
Encouraging Safe Exercise
Students Take Action
Working to Promote Health and Fitness
Students Take Action
Restoring School Recess
Students Take Action
Creating A Library