Illinois History

2007 Issues

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"As our teachers and students plan ahead, many will be exploring the themes of Illinois History magazine. Writing for their state magazine opens many opportunities for students to learn about Illinois more thoroughly. They find out how they think about something as they share resources, read, write, and reflect. Eventually, students build writing fluency while composing their thoughts and feelings. Their commitment to themselves and their teachers becomes an inspiration to all, often rejoicing in their triumphs."

-- Stephanie Garcia, Junior High School Language Arts teacher, All Saints Academy, Breese, Illinois

2007-2008 ILLINOIS HISTORY Topics

The topics for the next school year, 2007-2008:

January 2008---Immigration in Illinois History

Deadline for receipt of papers: October 31, 2007

Immigration has been very important in the development of the U. S. and especially Illinois. Select a particular immigrant group that was important to your town, city, or area’s growth. What special skills did that group of people bring? Who were some of their prominent leaders? How did they influence government, sports, art, transportation, literature, or business? Be specific in writing up the details for your paper.

February 2008---The Lincoln-Douglas Debates

Image courtesy of Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library

Deadline for receipt of papers: November 30, 2007

The year 2008 is the 150th anniversary of the internationally famous Lincoln-Douglas Debates and they occurred in Illinois.

Pick one of the seven debates: Ottawa (August 21); Freeport (August 27); Jonesboro (September 15); Charleston (September 18); Galesburg (October 7); Quincy (October 13); and Alton (October 15). What important idea or ideas came out of that debate? How did it influence later developments in the U. S.? How did those ideas especially reflect the thinking of Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas?

Or, investigate how the site looked in 1858 where the debate was held. Describe what did the site looked like in 1858. Why was that particular location picked in the town you selected? How has it changed over the years? Describe how it looks today? Be sure to describe any markers that originally existed or have been removed or remain today. Who placed those markers? To get information, be sure to talk with the local historical society or the organization in the town responsible for the Lincoln-Douglas celebration of the 150th anniversary. And, of course, visit the site yourself.

April 2008---Newspapers in Illinois History

Deadline for receipt of papers: January 31, 2008

Pick a journalist, newspaper editor, or newspaper and write about the coverage of a famous event or period of time. Or write a biography of a particular journalist or editor. Why were they important? If you write a brief history of your hometown newspaper, explain how that newspaper contributed to your town’s development? Think about how the town would have been different without the newspaper? Read from the newspaper itself for your research.

Sources for your research

Do not use Wikipedia; some entries are reliable but not all of them have been checked by experts. Specialized Web sites can be useful. However, try to get to your library to use books, newspapers, and magazines. Many local libraries have specialized local history collections. Find out if your local library has a local history section. Papers using only Web sites will not be considered for inclusion in the Illinois History.

Requirements for the paper

1. Articles should be no less than 500 words but no more than a 1000 words long.
2. At the end of your article, include a bibliography of works used. Refer to the MLA or the style guide by the University of Chicago Press. Be sure your format gives the author’s name, full title of the work, place of publication, the press, and date of publication. For periodicals, be sure the volume and year of publication is included.
3. Web site citations must include
(a) name of the organization posting the Web site;
(b) Web site address; and
(c) Month, day, and year you accessed the Web site
Keep to this example:
The Organization of American History, “Finding Out About Our Past,”
<www.AmHist.org> (Ap. 3, 2007).
4. Have your teacher read and correct details about the 3 points above before submitting your final draft for consideration to the following address:

Keith A. Sculle
Illinois Historic Preservation Agency
Old State Capitol
Springfield, IL 62701

Call or email, if you have questions. We are glad to help:
(217) 785-6916
Email: keith.sculle@illinois.gov

If possible, submit your paper in Word or Word Perfect on a floppy disk. If you cannot, do not worry. However, always be sure to send a good printed copy.

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