The 1930s
The decade was from January 1, 1930 to December 31, 1939. This decade was nicknamed "The Dirty Thirties" because of the occurrence of the Dust Bowl. Two significant events happened during this time: The Dust Bowl and The Great Depression. If you're reading Where Only Storms Grow by Alyssa Coleman or Echo Mountain by Lauren Wolk, you will need to read more about the United States during the 1930s. Learn what life was like in the 1930s by exploring the links below. Find out about the moments that defined the 30s as well what the clothes look liked that people wore and what houses looked like!
Moments The Defined the 30s - Children's Theatre Company
1930-1939 Fashion History Timeline - Fashion Institute of Technology
The Small Home, 1930 - Hennepin County Library Digital Collections
"Hoovervilles" were towns where the homeless lived during The Great Depression. These towns were made up of shacks.
Hooverville Facts for Kids - Kiddle
During the 1930s Drought, President Herbert Hoover and President Franklin D. Roosevelt, commonly referred to as FDR, held office. Check out the video on the left to learn more information on how FDR's response.
"The Dust Bowl" happened in 1935 and is considered the worst man-made ecological disaster in America's History.
Dust Bowl Facts for Kids - Kiddle
The 1940s
The decade was from January 1, 1940 to December 31, 1949; this decade is often referred to as "The 40s". On December 8, 1941; The United States enters World War II by declaring war on Japan after the Bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. The three main allied powers found the fight against Nazi Germany, these three powers were the United States, Great Britain, and the Soviet Union. Franklin D. Roosevelt was the President of the United States during this time, while Winston Churchill was the Prime Minister of Great Britain.
If you're reading The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley or A Place to Belong by Cynthia Kadohata, explore more about what was going in here in the U.S.A. and across the pond in Great Britain during WWII.
1940 Facts for Kids - Kiddle
Timeline of the 1940s - Britannica
When you think of World War II, you think of the Holocaust and the concentration camps in Nazi Germany. But did you know there were internment camps here in the United States for Japanese Americans? Watch the video above for information on Executive Order 9066.
What is an Executive Order? - Kiddle
The 1960s
The decade was from January 1, 1960 to December 31, 1969; this decade is often referred to as the "Sixties". This decade saw the Civil Rights Movement, the British Invasion (for music) and "The Space Race". The 60s is also known for the war in Vietnam and for it's peace protests. If you're reading The Bluest Sky by Christina Diaz Gonzalez or The Watsons Go to Birmingham-1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis , explore more about what was taking place during the 1960s.
1960 Facts for Kids - Kiddle
The United States and Cuba - FactCite
To log in to FactCite: Username - tjmiddle | Password - tiger
Cuba - FactCite
The Cold War: Cuban Missile Crisis for Kids - Ducksters
The Cold War: Bay of Pigs - Ducksters
What Was the Civil Rights Movement? - Britannica Kids
Civil Rights Movement - FactCite
The 1980s
The decade was from January 1, 1980 to December 31, 1989; this decade is often referred to as "The 80s". This decade is another well known time period! Marked by several technological advances: the personal computer (the desktop computer you might have at home) debuted in 1981 and the first cell phone was released in 1983. 40 years ago in 1986, a nuclear energy accident occurred in Pripyat, Ukraine. If you reading The Blackbird Girls by Anne Blankman, use the links below to learn about nuclear energy, the countries affected by the Chernobyl Disaster and what the Chernobyl Disaster was itself.
1980s Facts for Kids - Kiddle
12 New Technologies in the 1980s - How Stuff Works
1980-1989 Fashion History Timeline - Fashion Institute of Technology
The Chernobyl Disaster - Britannica Kids
Ukraine - FactCite
Belarus - FactCite
What is Nuclear Energy? - Britannica Kids