Remembering History Dates
This troublesome matter is easily mastered when the child understands the use of the number code as given in the book on Memory. This principle can be applied in every case. As a rule, the century in which the date occurs is not confusing, and the effort can be confined to the particular year. For example, in order to remember the date of the Battle of Bunker Hill, it is only necessary to remember '75, for the year, as every student will know that it was in 1775 and not 1875, or 1675.
A boy twelve years of age learned more history dates in one week after knowing how to use the Number Code than he had learned in weeks before. The knowledge of how to visualize the lesson and how to remember the dates will overcome any prejudice or any difficulty which the child may have with history lessons.
The following are samples of how the Number Code has been applied to remembering history dates:
Landing of the English at Jamestown, 1607. During the first year there was much sickness and the word SICK is '07. The picture of the Jamestown settlers "sick on the beach" will fix the year in mind.
The following dates were in one lesson, and are the word-pictures which a child used in remembering them. Marquette and Joliet explored the Mississippi River in 1673. The word COMB is '73. They were "combing" the river.
LaSalle reached the mouth of the Mississippi River in 1682. He planted the French flag and had a celebration. FUN is '82, they had fun when they planted the flag.
New Orleans was settled by Bienville in 1718. He had a hard time finding a good place for the city, TOUGH (tuf) is '18, they had a tough time.
Washington and the Virginian troops drove the French troops from Fort DuQuesne in 1754. He drove them from their LAIR, '54.
General Braddock was defeated and killed in 1755. He was buried in the woods of Pennsylvania. '55 is LILY, see a lily on his grave.
Some other examples follow: Alaska was purchased in 1867. 18 may be DOVE and '67 CHECK, a picture of a DOVE flying to Russia with the CHECK. Or if you prefer you can use the two words, STOVE-SHACK, or TOUGH-JOKE, it was a tough joke on Russia to sell it for so little.
The Battle of Bunker Hill was June 17th, 1775. This can be remembered by the association SHOOTING KILL. Sh is 6; TING is 17; KILL is '75. 6-17-'75 is the date and it is in the two words SHOOTING KILL, which is easily remembered with Bunker Hill.
The Battle of Bull Run, July 21st, '61. This is 7-21-'61. CAN'T SHOOT (because they ran so fast they couldn't shoot) and the two words CAN'T SHOOT stand for 7-21-'61.
Peary reached the North Pole April 6th, 1909. This can be represented by URGES UP. This is 4-6-'09. He urges his men up to the pole.
Panama Canal was officially opened August 15th, 1914. This is 8-15-'14. VITAL DOOR will represent these numbers. The canal is a VITAL DOOR between the two great oceans.
Examples of the dates of the reigns of the English kings at the end of feudalism. The War of Roses.
| Order of Reign. | Code Words. |
| 1—Henry IV 1399-1413 | Tie—Henry—hear, them pipe—their doom. |
| 2—Henry V 1413-1422 | Snow—Henry—lie, to redeem—true nun. |
| 3—Henry VI 1422-1461 | Home—Henry—show, true nun to our chateau. |
| 4—Edward IV 1461-1483 | Wire—Edward—hear, a deer shout their fame. |
| 5—Edward V 1483 | Wheel—Edward—hail, true fame. |
| 6—Richard II 1483-1485 | Sash—Richard—no, true fame—dare fail. |
Here the Code word TIE stands for I, the first king—Henry hear, for Henry fourth; "them pipe" is 1399; "their doom" is 1413. The whole can easily be visualized into a picture of Henry using the TIE to make an ear trumpet to HEAR THEM PIPE THEIR DOOM. A peculiar idea, perhaps, but it will accomplish the purpose. Use the same plan for other similar lists and make strong picture associations and they will aid you greatly. They can be recalled when the numbers can not.
The following are examples of dates of Greek and Roman History:
Draco codifies Laws of Athens, 621. Joined—He joined the laws.
Peloponnesian War, 431-404. Remote—Razor.
Corinthian War, 395-387. Mabel—Moving.
Alexander King of Macedonia, 336-323. May homage—My name.
Founding of Rome, 753-(?). Column.
Rome supreme in Italy, 264. New Chair.
Sack of Rome by the Gauls, 390. Mobs.
Great Latin War, 340-338. Mars—May move.
Peace between Rome and Carthage, 201. Nice Tie.
Julian Emperors, 27 B. C.-41 A. D. INK Bottle Can—RIDE After Dark.
Claudian and Flavian Emperors, 41-96. Red—Badge.
Good Emperors, 96-180. Push—Thieves.
Invasion of Barbarians, 337-376. May make—My cash.
Charles the Great crowned Emperor of the Romans, 800 Vices.