If the story of the United States is on your docket, I have several American history mnemonics that you can use.
These memory tricks begin with Columbus and end in the early 1900’s. (Sorry, nothing for modern history right now.) They include short phrases, acronyms, and a classic poem.
I hope they help your kids and teens learn some important parts of our country’s history.
American History Mnemonics
Columbus
Let’s start with an oldie but goodie about Columbus.
In 1492, Columbus sailed the ocean blue.
Thirteen Colonies
Want your kids to memorize the first thirteen colonies? I have a fun phrase that will help them do just that. But, before I share it, let’s look at the names of the original thirteen.
Massachusetts
New Hampshire
New York
Connecticut
New Jersey
Rhode Island
Pennsylvania
Maryland
Delaware
Virginia
North Carolina
South Carolina
Georgia
And here’s that phrase that will make them memorable.
My Nice New Car Needs Re-Painting. Maybe Dark Violet? No, Shiny Gold!
Civil War
I have two mnemonics with regards to Civil War facts.
The first will help kids remember the order of secession of the Confederate states. These states are:
South Carolina
Mississippi
Florida
Alabama
Georgia
Louisiana
Texas
Virginia
Arkansas
Tennessee
North Carolina
The beginning letters of the words in this phrase make it easier for children to memorize this list. The comma, by the way, is a good marker for the time period when Lincoln called for troops.
So My Father Ate Grapes Last Tuesday, Very Awesome Tart Napas.
The second memory trick serves as a reminder for when the Civil War ended.
When the union did survive, ’twas eighteen hundred sixty-five.
Mount Rushmore
There’s a simple mnemonic kids can use to remember the names of the presidents on Mount Rushmore. The presidents are:
Washington
Jefferson
Lincoln
Roosevelt
And the mnemonic is:
We Just Like Rushmore.
World War I
If you are teaching your kids or teens about World War I, tell them to remember that the MAIN causes were:
Militarism
Alliance system
Imperialism
Nationalism
(MAIN is a handy acronym for this list)
The History of the U.S.
In 1919, Winifred Sackville Stoner, Jr. wrote a poem about the United States that summed up its history, at least up to that point. Here it is.
The History of the U.S.
By Winifred Sackville Stoner, Jr.
In fourteen hundred ninety-two, Columbus sailed the ocean blue
And found this land, land of the Free, beloved by you, beloved by me.
And in the year sixteen and seven, good Captain Smith thought he’d reach Heav’n,
And then he founded Jamestown City, alas, ’tis gone, oh, what a pity.
’Twas in September sixteen nine, with ship, Half Moon, a read Dutch sign,
That Henry Hudson found the stream, the Hudson River of our dream.
In sixteen twenty, pilgrims saw our land that had no unjust law.
Their children live here to this day, proud citizens of U.S.A.
In sixteen hundred eighty-three, good William Penn stood ’neath a tree
And swore that unto his life’s end he would be the Indian’s friend.
In seventeen hundred seventy-five, good Paul Revere was then alive;
He rode like wild throughout the night, and called the Minute Men to fight.
Year seventeen hundred seventy-six, July the fourth, this date please fix
Within your minds, my children dear, for that was Independence Year.
In that same year on a bitter night at Trenton was an awful fight,
But by our brave George Washington the battle was at last well won.
Two other dates in your mind fix—Franklin born in seventeen six,
And Washington first said “Boo-Hoo” in seventeen hundred thirty-two.
In seventeen hundred seventy-nine, Paul Jones, who was a captain fine,
Gained our first naval victory fighting on the big, wide sea.
And in the year eighteen and four, Lewis and Clark both went before,
And blazed for us the Oregon Trail where men go now in ease by rail.
In eighteen hundred and thirteen, on great Lake Erie could be seen
Our Perry fight the Union Jack and drive it from our shores far back.
In eighteen hundred and sixty-one, an awful war was then begun
Between the brothers of our land, who now together firmly stand.
In eighteen hundred sixty-three, each slave was told that he was free
By Lincoln, with whom few compare in being kind and just and fair.
In eighteen hundred eighty-one, at Panama there was begun
By good De Lesseps, wise and great, the big canal, now our ship’s gate.
At San Juan, eighteen ninety-eight, our brave Rough Riders lay in wait,
And on the land brought victory, while Dewey won it on the sea.
In nineteen hundred and fifteen, was shown a panoramic screen
At San Francisco’s wondrous fair; all peoples were invited there.
But cruel war in that same year kept strangers from our land o’ cheer,
And nineteen seventeen brought here the war that filled our hearts with fear.
Thank God in nineteen eighteen Peace on earth again was seen,
And we are praying that she’ll stay forever in our U.S.A.
Know anyone else who could use these American history mnemonics? Feel free to share this post with them.
Many blessings,
