History is alive, it’s exciting, and it impacts our everyday lives. Those were the lessons shared with third graders across Orange County on Thursday during the annual Orange County Gift of History program.
Approximately 450 students attended the live assembly at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, while the program was livestreamed to 250 schools across Orange County.
This year’s event included a special focus on celebrating America’s 250th anniversary. The Gift of History program gives students the opportunity to learn about key historical moments, influential figures, and natural resources that helped shape Orange County.
During the event, students cheered enthusiastically and participated in an interactive local history scavenger hunt while viewing specially prepared video messages from guest speakers, including Dr. Stefan Bean, Superintendent of the Orange County Department of Education; Freddie Freeman, first baseman for the Los Angeles Dodgers; and Cheryl Van Doren, daughter of Vans co-founder Paul Van Doren.
Orange County Gift of History features the book Nothing Rhymes with Orange, whose author, Stan Oftelie, participated in the event. Using the California History–Social Science Framework, the program explored local culture and history while laying the groundwork for students to become engaged, active citizens who contribute to their communities.
Gift of History is a key initiative of the newly launched Nixon Civics Academy. Learn more here.
