WILLIAMSBURG, Va., May 16 /PRNewswire/ -- America's 400th Anniversary will come to life this fall for hundreds of thousands of students and educators across the U.S. as the story of the nation's birthplace takes to the web. "Jamestown Live!," a nationwide Webcast, will be available free of charge to anyone who has internet access.
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The important history about the journey that changed the world and the first permanent English settlement in the United States will be delivered in fun and interactive ways with creative programming designed to appeal to students in grades 4-11.
Using the backdrop of Historic Jamestowne, and the Jamestown Settlement, thousands of students will participate live in this once-in-a-lifetime event on Thursday, November 9th from 1:00 - 2:00 pm EST as part of the 18-month commemoration of America's 400th Anniversary. The interactive Webcast will combine elements of a television news magazine, town hall meeting, and entertainment to inspire students to meaningfully connect with the history and reflect on the impact these events continue to have on their lives and their world.
"The foundations of American society took shape at Jamestown, and it is imperative that today's students understand the origins of our nation," said Sandra Day O'Connor, honorary chair America's 400th Anniversary. "'Jamestown Live!' offers an important look at themes that are as relevant today as they were 400 years ago."
This unique event will feature expert interviews, student hosts, and original music, to bring to life three of Jamestown's enduring legacies of exploration, cultural diversity and democracy. Students will be invited to email their questions and participate in polls prior to and during the Webcast.
The on-site audience will include Student Ambassadors from every state and the District of Columbia, teachers, and parents from across the country interacting with hundreds of thousands of students who participate directly from their classroom, auditorium or school gymnasium. Students -- both on- site and on-line -- will themselves make history by participating in this groundbreaking event.
To help educators prepare themselves and their students for "Jamestown Live!" as well as other history, civics and social studies lessons, an official education Web site has been established as an enduring part of the America's 400th Anniversary commemoration. The site, http://www.jamestownjourney.org/, was coordinated by the University of Virginia Center for Politics and includes interdisciplinary lesson plans and Jamestown- related curricula that align with state educational requirements. Educators are encouraged to register at the site as soon as possible so they can access a wealth of materials and lesson plans at no cost.
"Jamestown Live!" is one of 10 signature events and hundreds of other community projects commemorating America's 400th Anniversary. Media partners include The History Channel and Time for Kids. Education partners and endorsing organizations include the U.S. Department of Education, the National Council for Social Studies, the National Education Association, NASA, National History Day, the Virginia Department of Education, Virginia Education Association, the University of Virginia Center for Politics, Virginia PTA, and Colonial Williamsburg.
Jamestown 2007, a sub-agency of the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, is coordinating efforts to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Jamestown, Va., the first permanent English settlement in the Americas. Jamestown is also the site of the nation's first representative government, free enterprise and multi-cultural society. State, national, and international commemorative events to salute these legacies begin in May 2006 and continue into 2008. Major corporate sponsors of America's 400th Anniversary include Norfolk Southern Corporation , Verizon and Colonial Williamsburg. More information about the commemoration is available at http://www.americas400thanniversary.com/.
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