There are six standard reference books that we recommend for every homeschool library — 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) — 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. I taught a college writing course for a number of years using original texts from the history of science, including Darwin’s Origin of Species, a 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 a 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 a 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? 😊
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