A quote by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow provides teachers with the basis for a lesson that can begin every new school year.  It speaks volumes about our Republic’s place in history and the world’s future.

     Sail on O’ Union, strong and great!
    Humanity with all its fears,
    With all the hopes of future years,
    Is hanging breathless on thy fate.

           From “The Building of the Ship” (1849) 

What a great quote to post above the classroom door.  Each and every new school year, history and social studies teachers can begin with the same Lesson that asks student five questions based on this quote:

    “Why does all of humanity ’hang’ on America’s fate?”  

    “What makes America so unique and special?”

   “Why would the world worry over America’s ultimate fate?

   “What could threaten or sink our Ship of State?”  
   “What is our ‘Ship of State’ made of?”

What a great way to make students contemplate America’s unique Constitutional and cultural heritage, and why America is still the beacon of hope for the world. . . . .   and HOW FRAGILE IT ALL TRULY IS.

Come to think of it.  Maybe our elected representatives should begin each session with this lesson.