October 12, 1492! What a date in the world's history—the linking of the new world with the old—the dreams of a dreamer come true—the opening of the gates to a newer and better home for man—the promise of—America!
The story of Columbus is a story of romance, of patient perseverance, of high endeavor, of noble resolve—a story that grips and thrills. Every boy and every girl who feels the story wants to discover a new world; and out of that desire may well come the discovery of America—its aims, ideals, opportunities. The Columbus Day program is an opportunity to discover the new world into which we are emerging. Even childhood in the school may come to glimpse that which lies beyond and feel the exultation of the sailor who cried, "Land! Land!"
The materials of this program are largely suggestive. It is hoped that they may be of service in program making from kindergarten to high school.
The school program of most value is that which results from the creative genius of the children themselves. Let children live the life of Columbus in imagination and they will create their own program and express it in costume, tableaux, music, composition, acting, and dialog. The merit of the Columbus Day program will lie in its leading children, through their own expression, to a better understanding of their country, to a broader conception of patriotism.
SUBJECTS FOR COMPOSITION OR ORAL REPORTS
Marco Polo
A flat world
The new idea—sailing west to reach the east
The dangers of the western sea
The attempted mutiny (See Irving's "Life of Columbus")
The signs of land
Columbus in chains
San Salvador
October 12, 1492
The Columbian Exposition, 1892
The discovery of America, 1919
What Columbus would do today
[A Little Program for Columbus Day]
Recitation
(By three boys bearing the American flag, the Spanish flag, and a drum)