I also want to thank Kevin as well as all others on this list and all other genealogy mailing lists that I subscribe to. I have to admit that learning history as I was growing up in Kansas was not top on my list. I have learned so much history in the past year since I began researching my roots. I also must defend our school system as my children ranging in age from 15 - 21 are very knowledgeable when it comes to history, current events, and government both regarding the USA and foreign affairs. They begin in elementary school with Iowa history (where we live now and where my children have been educated) and continue in Middle School with classes like Cultural Geography where they not only learn about geography, but learn about the people who live or have lived in various parts of the world. In high school they have a little more choice of what history classes they take, excluding American Government which is required. I can't say that they would say they love history if you! asked them. They will say however, that there have been several influential people who have been speakers in their history and government classes that have made history class interesting at least some days. People like YOU and ME. People who have a genuine love or desire to share our knowledge about the history of the world and its people. I challenge each of you to contact a teacher in your school system to find out how you can speak to the students about genealogy, a specific historical event that your knowledgable about, or arrange for a speaker other than yourself. Find out what historical events are taking place in your area and help promote them by getting this information to teachers or help sponsor a field trip to an event such as a Civil War reenactment. These type of events really make history come alive for students. I am a non employed preschool/elementary teacher and know that most teachers welcome outside speakers to help their classrooms come alive. We need! to show our children how history can be exciting. Getting involved is the best way to change something that we feel is lacking. Complaining without action has no benefits. As a side note, it was my daughter (at age 13 after a speaker came to her classroom to speak about learning history through genealogy research) who got me started. As of a little over a year ago I did not even know my grandparents full names. Currently I have connected, with many peoples help and willingness to share, close to 3000 thousand people. In doing so I have learned a great deal of history of the USA as well as Czechoslovakia, Czech Republic, and Austria and look forward to learning more.Thank you and good luck on the challenge. Heidi

Ok my input is that I basically hated history in high school, but after I left high school I started to LOVE history! Of course, mostly genealogical history, but still history. My teachers in high school did not allow me to enjoy history, so I never understood what it was i was reading. It of course was partly my fault for not beinga good studier, but also it was the teacher's fault for not making it a 'fun' subject for me to learn. But now I gobble up my genealogical history. I cannot get enough! John in Michigan > >