Here’s an advance look at some of the “This Day in Geographic History” (TDIGH) events coming up this week. For each date, we’ve matched it with a map or visual, background information, and a classroom activity so you can plan ahead.
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Monday, December 4
Polluted air and a change in weather patterns created a smog that blanketed London for a week, killing thousands.
Map: Air Pollution around the World
Background: What is smog?
Activity: Read and discuss this article about the recent deadly smog in New Delhi, India. What is one reason that air pollution is worse in New Delhi at this time of year?
Thursday, December 7
TDIGH: Date Which Will Live in Infamy
Japan’s 1941 attack on the U.S. naval base in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii caused the U.S. to formally enter WWII.
Map: Interactive map of the Pearl Harbor attack
Background: WWII in the Pacific
Activity: Read about how Pearl Harbor was used as the justification for Japanese-American Internment and answer these discussion questions.
Friday, December 8
Since 1949 there have been “Two Chinas”: the democratic Republic of China (ROC) in Taiwan and the communist People’s Republic of China (PRC) on the mainland.
Map: China and Taiwan
Background: Video clip: “Communists Take Control -The Story of China”
Activity: Read about President Nixon’s 1972 visit to China. Why do you think the U.S. government wanted to recognize the PRC?
The 1993 free trade agreement between the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, established the largest free trade zone in the world.
Visual: Infographic: Views on NAFTA
Background: Globalization
Activity: Listen to this audio segment about Trump’s view of NAFTA. Why do you think Trump took such a hard stance against NAFTA during his presidential campaign?
Sunday, December 10
TDIGH: Happy Birthday, Ada Lovelace
Born in 1851, Ada Lovelace is widely considered the world’s first computer programmer, despite living a century before computers were invented. She is remembered today through the “Ada” computer language.
Video: “Coded for Success”
Background: Short video about Ada Lovelace
Activity: Read the blog post “Six Women in Science that Students Must Know” and ask students why they think math and science have traditionally been male-dominated fields.