There are six standard reference books that we recommend for every homeschool libraryΒ β not children’s books, but family books that can support your teaching in a range of homeschool subjects for many years. One of these is the comprehensive and beautifully illustrated volume History: From the Dawn of Civilization to the Present (3rd edition). This book is a favorite of our River Houses mascot Horace the Otter, as you can see.

Horace is spending time with his history encyclopedia because today is a notable anniversary. Two of the most influential figures of the nineteenth century, Abraham Lincoln and Charles Darwin, were both born on this day in the same year: 1809. That’s a good time-mark for your students to know. The history encyclopedia has fully illustrated outlines of the life and times of both Lincoln (page 316) and Darwin (page 340)Β β just what you need for a quick homeschool read-aloud review this week.

Darwin was one of my own academic specialties, so this time period is of particular interest to me. IΒ taught aΒ college writing course for aΒ number of years using original texts from the history of science, including Darwin’s Origin of Species, aΒ work that was first published in London in 1859, the year before Lincoln was first elected president in the United States.

If you’re looking for aΒ one-volume history encyclopedia that can support your homeschool teaching across any curriculum you may be following, History: From the Dawn of Civilization to the Present is aΒ great choice. Happy birthday, Abe and Charles!
What bibliographic treasures have you discovered and what historical anniversaries have you been marking in your homeschool this Orion Term? π
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