European Association of History Educators

Source: News Times; March 29, 2010

In Sunday's News-Times (March 21), liberal historian Jonathan Zimmerman acknowledges that there is a liberal theme in most American history textbooks. What he fails to note is that the liberal script is inherently optimistic assuming that we progress toward the fulfillment of the promise of the Declaration of Independence.

Click here to read the full article

Source: EUROCLIO on the BBC World Service, February 3rd, 2010
On february 3rd, the BBC world service, with over 30 million global listeners, focused the disputed role of history textbooks in the process of European Integration. The documentary offered a multiperspective insight on the role of history teaching and the significance of history textbooks in the establishment of a balance between integration and nationalism on the path towards a common European Past. In this context, EUROCLIO Executive-Director Joke van der Leeuw-Roord underlines the need for raising historical awareness among the youth while she suggests that the current rather narrow and nationalistic-oriented teaching of history in most European countries impedes the maintenance and development of a democratic and peaceful community. To that extent, she urges the need for the development of common approaches for the formation of a shared European history based on mutual understanding and close collaboration among the relevant actors. The program concludes with a reference to EUROCLIO’s upcoming Annual Conference, entitled, “A Bridge Too Far? Teaching Common European History  Themes, Perspectives and Levels” with Mark Whitaker asking whether a common European textbook would be ever possible. Joke van der Leeuw-Roord then explained the EUROCLIO Historiana initiative, the web-based learning and teaching resource for history teachers across Europe.
The full documentary can be downloaded as a podcast and you can listen here

For more information, and a full summary of the documentary please click 'read more'

Source:  news.az, 27th January

Representative of Azerbaijani delegation in PACE Rafael Huseynov prepared a document "Expediency of use of common textbooks in the European educational network" on the first day of the session.

"This document which was signed by 20 European parliamentarians was adopted, then translated, printed and distributed in English and French", Huseynov said.

Source: NewsOK, January 12st 2010

A state representative has filed a bill aimed at ensuring that Oklahoma students learn fundamental principles of the U.S. government.

Source: The Atlanta Journal Constitution, 10 December, 2009

For many people, history class was a lesson in keeping one's eyes open. Or as writer Anthony Arnove puts it: “It was rote recitation of facts, military battles, great people elevated in society... It had nothing to do with me and my experience.”

He is among a group of people hoping to change that. Arnove, partnering with famed historian and author Howard Zinn, are behind "The People Speak," a documentary which depicts pivotal moments in American history from ordinary people. Bringing it to life are a host of noted musicians and actors, including Viggo Mortensen, Bruce Springsteen, Danny Glover, Marisa Tomei and Matt Damon, one of the producers of the film.

Source: The Greenwood Commonwealth, Mississippi, USA, December 5th 2009

Greenwood High School is adding a civil and human rights element to its curriculum as part of a statewide pilot program.

Under a 2007 law, the state Board of Education must provide school districts with more opportunities for such education. This year, 28 districts statewide, including Greenwood, are implementing the pilot program.

Next year, it will be a mandatory part of the U.S. history curriculum for all public schools.

“It’s important that all of our students have a greater awareness of civil rights,” said Jennifer Wilson, Greenwood’s assistant superintendent. “This program will put a greater emphasis on that.”

Two Greenwood High history instructors, Thomas Young and Larry McCluney, have been trained at workshops on teaching the new curriculum.

“One of the things they did was give us a list of people in different areas we could contact to speak to the class,” Young said. “A lot of people who were active in the civil rights movement are here in this area.”

McCluney said many children today know little about the civil rights movement. He said it was important to be able to do more than identify key historical figures such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks and Harriet Tubman.

“Today’s children really don’t thoroughly appreciate nor understand what others went through to get where we are today,” McCluney said. “It would be a good thing to get them back into it.”

McCluney and Young said the new curriculum extends beyond blacks’ struggles in the 1960s. The program explores the pursuit for equal rights of all people, including women’s suffrage, Native American suffrage, immigration and more.

“The true purpos of a public school is to produce a citizen,” McCluney said. “This curriculum emphasizes the nation as a community and the direction that it is going.”

Click here to read the full article

Source: Sunday's Zaman, Nov 24, 2009

“Criticize Atatürk and its period if you dare,” said Onur Öymen, when defending his remarks on the Dersim Rebellion, which drew harsh condemnation from several wings of society but particularly from Alevis.

Öymen’s statement alluding to the fact that it is impossible to question and criticize Atatürk’s personal aspects and political views has triggered questions about why the early years of the republic have not been analyzed by historians, journalists and scholars.

Source: Wall Street Journal November 3rd, 2010

Contrary to the view of the Continent as sclerotic, no other region has changed more radically in the past 20 years.

In September 1989, I threw a book out of a moving train for the first and only time in my life.

 Source: Telegraph.co.uk, October 15th , 2009

Leading historians said politicians, public relations companies and even the Royal Family were guilty of peddling “historical myths” to promote campaigns.

Academics from leading universities including Oxford, Cambridge, Manchester and Nottingham warned that misrepresenting the past could blur public understanding of important events.