Monday, November 2, 2026

All Saints and Day of the Dead


All Saints and Day of the Dead are part of a 3-day festival that remembers the lives of those who passed before us.  Here is a short list of notable Americans who were declared venerable/beatified (honored on Nov 1, All Saints Day) or died (remembered Nov 2, All Souls Day) during the year.  Try to think about the civics questions associated with each person.  While wating for year's quiz, check out the previous years' Citizenship Quiz for All Saints and Day of the Dead. 

Nov 14, 2025 Alice Wong, 51, American disability rights activist, complications from an infection.

Dec 30, 2025 Ben Nighthorse Campbell, 92, American politician, member of the U.S. Senate (1993–2005) and House of Representatives (1987–1993).

January 7, 2026, Renée Nicole Macklin Good, a 37-year-old American woman, was shot by ICE in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

January 20 Louva Dahozy, 99, American Navajo rights activist in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

January 24, Alex Pretti, 37, American nurse, shot by ICE 

Feb 5 Troy Poteete, 70, American Cherokee politician.

Feb 17 Jesse Jackson, 84, American civil rights activist and politician, founder of Rainbow/PUSH.

Feb 19 Joanne Bland, 72, American civil rights activist, co-founder of the National Voting Rights Museum.

Mar 6 Lolo Matalasi Moliga, 78, American Samoan politician, governor of American Samoa (2013–2021).

Apr 26 Dirk Kempthorne, 74, American politician, member of the U.S. Senate (1993–1999), governor of Idaho (1999–2006) and secretary of the interior (2006–2009), colon cancer.

May 17 Brenda Travis, 81, American civil rights campaigner

May 19 Barney Frank, 86, American politician, member of the U.S. House of Representatives (1981–2013), heart failure.

Jun 7 Gordon S. Wood, 92, American historian (The Radicalism of the American Revolution, Empire of Liberty: A History of the Early Republic, 1789–1815), Pulitzer Prize winner (1993), traffic collision.

Jun 14 Beatrice Lumpkin, 107, American union organizer, activist and writer

June 18 declared venerable Mother Mary Teresa Tallon, foundress of the Parish Visitors of Mary Immaculate

July 11 Lindsey Graham, 71, American politician, member of the U.S. Senate (since 2003) and House of Representatives (1995–2003), aortic dissection complicated by arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease

Aug 25 Dolly Parton, 80, American Hall of Fame singer-songwriter ("Jolene", "I Will Always Love You") and actress (9 to 5), eleven-time Grammy winner, cancer.

Aug 31 Wendell Berry, 92, American novelist and essayist (The Unsettling of America)

Sept 2 Gloria Steinem, 92, American feminist and journalist (New York, Ms.), co-founder of the Women's Media Center.

Sept 5 Robin Morgan, 85, American poet, writer (Sisterhood Is Powerful) and feminist, co-founder of the Women's Media Center, complications from Parkinson's disease.

Sept 15 Annie Dillard, 81, American writer (Tickets for a Prayer Wheel, Pilgrim at Tinker Creek, The Maytrees), Pulitzer Prize winner (1975).

Sept 16 Peter Max, 88, German-American pop artist, complications from dementia

Sept 24 beatification of Bishop Fulton Sheen, Catholic radio/TV evangelist.

Oct 28 Dolores Huerta, 96, American labor leader and activist, co-founder of United Farm Workers, cancer.

Oct 31 beatification of Pedro de Corpa and 4 Companions (Georgia Martyrs)


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Sunday, November 1, 2026

More Election Resources

250 to 250 is on a short break because I am working at our local voting center.

Created with MD Designer by Jennifer Gagliardi 2026-10-31 21:38:00

Here is a list of free resources on voter registration, voting rights, elections, and media literacy to encourage informed participation in our democracy. You can find the full list on COABE’s Voter Resources page. 

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Saturday, October 31, 2026

Adult Education & English Language Learner Resources

250 to 250 is on a short break because I am working at our local voting center.

Created with MD Designer by Jennifer Gagliardi 2026-10-30 22:36:00

Here is a list of adult ELL lessons, videos, classroom activities, and voter information to support adult education and English language instruction. Tomorrow, I will post free resources on voter registration, voting rights, elections, and media literacy.  You can find the full list on COABE’s Voter Resources page. 

American English at State

A Starting Point (ASP)

ActiVote

ATLAS ABE

Annaberg Classroom (K12—adapt for AE)

·       Teaching the Constitution

Bill of Rights Institute (K12—adapt for AE)

Bow Valley College Literacy Readers (Canada—adapt for the U.S.)

Center for Civic Education (K12—adapt for AE)

CISA.gov

Civics Renewal Network (K12—adapt for AE)

·       Resources for Teaching About Voting and Elections (featured) | search results

Common Sense Education

EL Civics

ESL Discussions

  • Voting (20 discussion questions)

ESL Fast

elli (formerly ESL Library) (Requires subscription).

ESL Podcast: (Excellent resource for Advanced students. Requires subscription.)

  • Government + Law
    • Daily English 689 – Listening to a Political Speech
    • Daily English 733–Voting in an Election
    • Daily English 757–Getting Political Support
    • Daily English 825–Political Advertising
    • Daily English 1230–Expressing Disapproval of Elected Officials

ESOL Courses

Facing History (K12—adapt for AE)

 First Literacy

Google Arts and Culture

How to Vote in Every State

iCivics (K12—adapt for AE)

I Side With

Jennifer ESL

Learn English Feel Good

Learning Chocolate

Learning for Justice (K12—adapt for AE)

Library of Congress

Linguahouse

Listen A Minute

MN Literacy

National Archives Foundation: Docs Teach

·       Elections and Voting

National Constitution Center

Nearpod

NELRC: Change Agent Magazine (Subscription required)

  • Issue 62 of Change Agent: Advocate, Organize, Vote (Aug 2024) is available via subscription. Packet 30 features Voting Rights. Packet 33 includes activities for the Media Literacy, Voting, and Advocacy. Free lesson packets available at nelrc.org

Newsela (K12—adapt for AE! Subscription Required)

News Literacy Project

PBS

PBS Frontline

·       U.S. Voters Share Their Views & Lives | American Voices 2026 (full documentary)

·       Elections playlist

PBS Learning Media

·       Election Center

ProLiteracy

Share America

si.edu

 StoryCorps

 Study

Teachers Pay Teachers

TED-ED (K12—adapt for AE. Check video description for links to the lesson plans)

this i believe

USA.gov

US Citizenship Podcast

  • Election ABCs google slides/ video
  • Electoral College Citizenship Quizzes: Part 1: U.S. Civics mp3/ pdf |  Part 2: U.S. History mp3 / pdf
  • A Quick Interview Based on the N-400r plus 10qs about Voting and Elections pdf and mp3
  • American Women who Fought for the Right to Vote  pdf
  • Interview E-1 (N-400 focus on voting and residence)

USCIS

Voice of America

Vox 

 Five things you need to know for the 2026 midterms | America, Actually

·       The AI election | America, Actually

We Speak NYC

Your Election Pal


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Friday, October 30, 2026

250 to 250:153. Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Narrated by Charlotte Clymer


Heather Cox Richardson and 250 to 250: Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Narrated by Charlotte Clymer

Charlotte Clymer is a writer, activist, and military veteran. She writes “Charlotte’s Web Thoughts,” a popular, award-winning Substack newsletter about politics, religion, foreign policy, and culture. Here, Clymer honors the unbroken 89-year vigil at Arlington's Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a solemn promise never to forget those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.
  • The tomb honors American soldiers who died in wars.
  • Three unknown soldiers died in World War I, World War II, and the Korean War.
  • Their names are not known.
  • Since July 2, 1937, soldiers have guarded the tomb 24 hours a day.
  • The guards protect the tomb in rain, snow, heat, and cold.
  • The guards show respect for soldiers who died serving our country.
  • The tomb reminds Americans to never forget their sacrifice.
  • The words on the tomb say: “Here rests in honored glory an American soldier known but to God.”


POP Interview and Civics Quiz:


Family Fun:
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Thursday, October 29, 2026

Rest in Power, Dolores Huerta!


(April 10, 1930 – October 28, 2026) 

Dolores Huerta was born on April 10, 1930, in Dawson, New Mexico.
  • Her parents were of Mexican descent.
  • In 1954, she became a teacher in California.
  • Many of her students were poor and hungry.
  • She stopped teaching to work with farmworkers (the parents of her students).
She worked with Cesar Chavez and Larry Itliong to organize farm workers.
  • Together, they started the United Farm Workers union.
  • In 1965, she helped lead a grape strike in California.
  • She helped farm workers fight for better pay and working conditions.
  • She helped make the words “Sí se puede” (Yes, we can) famous.
She also supported women's rights, immigrant rights, and civil rights.
  • In 2002, she started the Dolores Huerta Foundation to help communities.
  • In 2012, President Barack Obama gave her the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
  • In 2018, California made April 10 Dolores Huerta Day.
  • In 2026, Huerta publicly said that Cesar Chavez had sexually abused her.
  • She died on October 28, 2026, in Bakersfield, California, at age 96.


POP Interview and Civics Quiz:
  • N-400 Part 2:05: Are you male or female?
  • N-400 Part 3:01. Are you Hispanic or Latino?
  • USCIS 100:55. What are two ways that Americans can participate in their democracy?
  • USCIS 128:69. What are two examples of civic participation in the United States?
  • Read: What do people want? 
  • Write: People want to live (and work) in freedom.


Family Fun:

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Wednesday, October 28, 2026

250 to 250:152. Dust Bowl, Narrated by Representative Josh Turek


Heather Cox Richardson and 250 to 250: Dust Bowl, Narrated by Representative Josh Turek

Joshua Turek is an Iowa House Representative, 4x Paralympian, 2x Gold Medalist in wheelchair basketball, disability advocate, and candidate for the U.S. Senate in Iowa. Turek recounts the Dust Bowl, the 1930s environmental catastrophe that drove families from the Great Plains and taught America the value of soil conservation.

The Dust Bowl happened during the Great Depression.


POP Interview and Civics Quiz:
  • N-400 Part 8:01. Have you taken a trip outside of the United States in the last 5 years?
  • USCIS 100:89. What ocean is on the West Coast of the United States?
  • USCIS 128:103. What was the Great Depression?
  • Read: What do people in America want?                                | Why did people come to California?
  • Write: People in America want to work and live in freedom.  | People came to California for work.


Family Fun:
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Tuesday, October 27, 2026

250 to 250:151. Ice Industry, Narrated by Ken Lincoln

 

Heather Cox Richardson and 250 to 250: Ice Industry, Narrated by Ken Lincoln

Ken Lincoln is president of the Thompson Ice House Preservation Corporation, which operates an onsite museum and sponsors an annual ice harvest. Lincoln chronicles America's forgotten ice trade, which revolutionized how the nation ate and drank before mechanical refrigeration melted the business away.



POP Interview and Civics Quiz:
  • N-400 Part 7: List the start and end dates for all employment for the past 5 years.
  • USCIS 100:92. Name one state that borders Canada.
  • USCIS 128:81. There were 13 original states. Name five. 
  • Read: What was the first U.S capital? 
  • Write: New York City was the first capital. 


Family Fun:
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Monday, October 26, 2026

250 to 250:150. Molly Ivins, Narrated by Andy Borowitz

 
 

Heather Cox Richardson and 250 to 250: Molly Ivins, Narrated by Andy Borowitz

Andy Borowitz is an acclaimed American humorist, New York Times bestselling author, and creator of the popular satire site The Borowitz Report. Borowitz celebrates Molly Ivins, the razor-tongued Texas columnist who skewered politicians and made a career of speaking uncomfortable truths.

Molly Ivins was a famous newspaper writer from Texas.
  • She wrote about politics and government leaders.
  • She used jokes to criticize politicians.
  • In 1991, one of her jokes about a Texas congressman made many people angry.
  • A billboard asked, “Molly Ivins can't say that, can she?”
Molly believed people should question their government leaders.
  • In 2001, George W. Bush, a former Texas governor, became president.
  • Molly criticized President Bush and his decisions.
  • She believed people should speak freely about their government.
  • She used humor and newspapers to encourage Americans to think about politics.


POP Interview and Civics Quiz:
  • N-400 Part 11:03. What is your email addess?
  • USCIS 100:93. Name one state that borders Mexico.
  • USCIS 128:65. What are three rights of everyone living in the United States? 
  • Read: Who has freedom of speech?
  • Write: People who live in America have freedom of speech.


Family Fun: 
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