Flying the US Flag at Half-Mast

ESLPodcast Blog: Watch Where You Put That Flag

In the U.S., when an important person in government dies, flags are flown (displayed) at half-mast* or half-staff* (both terms are commonly used). Both of these terms mean for a flag to be flown lower on the flagpole (tall outdoor metal pole on which a flag is attached and shown). (read more)

Memorial Day 2011

USCIS 100:100. Name two national U.S. holidays.



NPR: Arlington Graves Of Iraq And Afghanistan Vets Digitized By Teen

VOANews: US Remembers Its War Dead
Americans honor US servicemen and women who gave their lives in service of the country on Memorial Day

VOANews: Obama Honors US War Dead on Memorial Day
America pays tribute to the men and women who died while in the military service

VOAVideo: 'Rolling Thunder' Veterans Group Rolls Through Washington | Jun 1, 2010

Memorial Day [May 31] is a U.S. national holiday that pays tribute to Americans killed in military service. Each year during the three-day holiday weekend around Memorial Day, the veterans group known as Rolling Thunder rumbles into Washington, D.C. The organization, with its roots in the Vietnam War of the 1960s and 1970s, focuses attention on those who were held as prisoners of war, or POWs, and who are still listed as missing in action, or MIA. VOA's Suzanne Presto takes us to the annual motorcycle gathering that culminates in the National Mall near the Vietnam Memorial.

USCIS 100:100. Name two national U.S. holidays.

▪ New Year’s Day

▪ Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

▪ Presidents’ Day

▪ Memorial Day

▪ Independence Day

▪ Labor Day

▪ Columbus Day

▪ Veterans Day

▪ Thanksgiving

▪ Christmas

Six Men, a World War, a Pacific Island and an Image for All Time

Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima, by Joe Rosenthal / The Associated Press.

VOA Learning English: Six Men, a World War, a Pacific Island and an Image for All Time

We remember the flag-raising captured in 1945 on Iwo Jima by a photographer and the famous statue of that historic moment THIS IS AMERICA (download mp3)

The U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial, located in Arlington, Virginia.

For more info about this image, see Wikipedia: Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima

ESL Podcast 689 – Listening to a Political Speech

ESL Podcast 689 – Listening to a Political Speech

Tired of the same nonsense from politicians? Learn how to complain about in English in this episode. Download Podcast
55. What are two ways that Americans can participate in their democracy?
▪ vote

▪ join a political party

▪ help with a campaign

▪ join a civic group

▪ join a community group

▪ give an elected official your opinion on an issue

▪ call Senators and Representatives

▪ publicly support or oppose an issue or policy

▪ run for office

▪ write to a newspaper

West Wing Week "OCONUS III: A Homecoming of Sorts"

VOAVideo: West Wing Week "OCONUS III: A Homecoming of Sorts"

This week, President Obama embarked on a six-day trip to Europe, visiting Ireland, the United Kingdom, France and Poland to engage our allies in the region on a host of issues. While overseas, the President pledged support for those back home affected by devastating tornadoes in Missouri and across the Midwest. Before leaving, the President met with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and went to the CIA Headquarters in Langley, VA. That's May 20th to the 26th, or "OCONUS (Outside the Continental United States) III: A Homecoming of Sorts.

Books That Celebrate America

Scholastic: Books That Celebrate America

Honor America's birthday with fiction and nonfiction that promotes patriotism, encourages reflection, and enlivens history.

Obama in London: 'The Time for Our Leadership Is Now'

VOAVideo: Obama in London: 'The Time for Our Leadership Is Now'

Addressing Britain's Parliament on Wednesday, US President Barack Obama sent a message that the United States and Great Britain will continue to lead efforts toward world peace and democracy. The president also visited British Prime Minister David Cameron.

Civil War Photographer's Work Draws Belated Praise

VOANews: Civil War Photographer's Work Draws Belated Praise

Traveling with the troops, George Houghton captured their daily life (download mp3)

USCIS Naturalization at Basic Training: Fort Sill, Oklahoma

VOAVideo: USCIS Naturalization at Basic Training: Fort Sill, Oklahoma

Congratulations, New Citizens!

Armed Forces Day

Armed Forces Day

President Harry S. Truman led the effort to establish a single holiday for citizens to come together and thank our military members for their patriotic service in support of our country.

On August 31, 1949, Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson announced the creation of an Armed Forces Day to replace separate Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force Days. The single-day celebration stemmed from the unification of the Armed Forces under one department -- the Department of Defense.

West Wing Week: 5/13/19 - 5/19/11 or "The Commencement at Booker T"

wh.gov: West Wing Week: 5/13/19 - 5/19/11 or "The Commencement at Booker T"

Welcome to the West Wing Week, your guide to everything that's happening at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. This week the President visited flood victims in Memphis,TN before speaking at the Booker T. Washington High School graduation, celebrated the Situation Room's 50th birthday, and gave a speech on the change sweeping across the Middle East and North Africa.

USCIS 100:52, the Pledge of Allegiance, the Oath of Allegiance, and the N-400

USCIS 100:52, the Pledge of Allegiance, the Oath of Allegiance, and the N-400

Compare USCIS 100:52, the Pledge of Allegiance, the Oath of Allegiance, and the N-400. Illustrated with USPS stamps of the American Flag. (download pdf)

Tweets from CLINIC11: USCIS Director Mayorkas

The Catholic Legal Immigration Network's mission is to enhance and expand delivery of legal services to indigent and low-income immigrants

The Catholic Legal Immigration Network (@cliniclegal Washington, DC) tweets from CLINIC-11 conference, May 18, 2011. Plenary Spearker UCSIS Director Mayorkas speaks about e-access to Citizenship and Immigration services.

cliniclegal CLINIC
Dir. Mayorkas of USCIS speaking now - TPS for Haitians wouldn't have happened without CLINIC and its affiliates #clinic11

cliniclegal CLINIC
It is through the sustained advocacy of CLINIC that we were able to reach the cherished day of yesterday #clinic11 -Mayorkas

cliniclegal CLINIC
Mayorkas speaking about coming to the U.S. as a refugee with his parents from Cuba #clinic11

cliniclegal CLINIC
Mayorkas- Question foremost in my mind is one of access. How can we serve individuals who are eligible for benefits? #clinic11

cliniclegal CLINIC
Office of Public Engagement was created for this. Not speaking to community, but engaging them #clinic11 Mayorkas

cliniclegal CLINIC
Mayorkas- we have worked with USCCB and CLINIC to talk about fee waivers and the high price of citizenship #clinic11

cliniclegal CLINIC
Mayorkas - We have plans to elevate our level of engagement and level of access to the disenfranchised #clinic11 mayorkas

cliniclegal CLINIC
Mayorkas- We open a window to see what your needs are and open a door to teach us as a shared community #clinic11

cliniclegal CLINIC
Mayorkas- We will model ourselves after refugee countries and will go mobile, reaching the people who can't reach us #clinic11

cliniclegal CLINIC
Mayorkas- we are pushing to become electronic/web based and allowing people to file via the web #clinic11

cliniclegal CLINIC
Mayorkas- being every mindful that we serve people that don't have access to computers and the web #clinic11

cliniclegal CLINIC
Mayorkas- we need you to help us bridge that divide. The longer there's no e-access to USCIS the longer w/out progress #clinic11

cliniclegal CLINIC
Mayorkas- Will not leave people disenfranchised who can't access computers, but this is a way to move forward #clinic11

cliniclegal CLINIC
Mayorkas- what if we took the money saved from being an e-based agency and gave it to non-profits instead? #clinic11

The American Red Cross

USCIS 100:55. What are two ways that Americans can participate in their democracy?



VOAVideo: The American Red Cross

The American Red Cross, the nation's premier emergency response organization, is celebrating 130 years of service. Its volunteers mobilize in times of disaster, war and crisis. And it all began with the vision of one woman: Clara Barton.

USCIS 100:55. What are two ways that Americans can participate in their democracy?
▪ vote
▪ join a political party
▪ help with a campaign
▪ join a civic group
▪ join a community group
▪ give an elected official your opinion on an issue
▪ call Senators and Representatives
▪ publicly support or oppose an issue or policy
▪ run for office
▪ write to a newspaper

Announcing the 2011 Citizens Medal

The 2011 Citizens Medal is a chance to recognize extraordinary citizens who have impacted their communities, but who may not have garnered national attention. Now's your chance to nominate an everyday hero in your community. Visit http://WhiteHouse.gov/citizensmedal and nominate a local hero today.

'Freedom Riders' Remembered 50 Years Later

VOAVdeo: 'Freedom Riders' Remembered 50 Years Later
In 1960, the U.S. Supreme Court outlawed racial segregation in restaurants and bus terminals serving interstate travel, but African-Americans who tried to sit in the "whites only" section risked injury or even death at the hands of white mobs. In May of 1961, groups of black and white civil rights activists set out together to change all that.

West Wing Week: 5/13/11 or "On the Border"

wh.gov: West Wing Week: 5/13/11 or "On the Border"

elcome to the West Wing Week, your guide to everything that's happening at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. This week the President talks clean energy and gas prices in Indiana, focuses on fixing our broken immigration system in Texas, and honors Top Cops here in the Rose Garden.

Library of Congress National Jukebox

National Jukebox LOC.gov The Library of Congress http://www.loc.gov/ presents the National Jukebox, which makes historical sound recordings available to the public free of charge. The Jukebox includes recordings from the extraordinary collections of the Library of Congress Packard Campus for Audio Visual Conservation and other contributing libraries. (download mp3)

*NEW* N-400 Word Groups

N-400 Word Groups pdf: Four words are alike, one is not.

1. Cross out the word that does not belong to the group.


2. Write the name of the group next to the number.


3. Practice the N-400 questions, example: “What is your full name?”

Groups:

• Address


• Children


• Combatant


• Crime


• Emergency


• Hair color


• Identification


• Illegal drugs


• Illegal groups


• Job


• Marital status


• Name


• Nobility


• Non-combatant


• Organization


• Origin


• Promise


• Spouse


• Taxes


• Travel

President Obama--Building a 21st Century Immigration System

President Obama--Building a 21st Century Immigration System

President Obama calls for a bipartisan approach to fixing a broken immigration system and explains why immigration reform is critical to building a 21st century economy in a speech in El Paso, TX. May 10, 2011.

READ the speech: President Obama on Fixing Our Broken Immigration System: "E Pluribus, Unum"

Obama Prods Congress on Immigration Reform

VOAVideo: Obama Prods Congress on Immigration Reform

President Barack Obama visited the U.S. border with Mexico Tuesday to push for legislation to reform U.S. immigration policy. As VOA's Kent Klein reports from the White House, some Republican lawmakers want more emphasis on border security, while some Hispanic Americans want less.

Top Tweets from President Obama's Speech on Immigration

@BarackObama #immigration

"We define ourselves as a nation of immigrants — a nation that welcomes those willing to embrace America's ideals." #immigration

"I don't believe the United States of America should be in the business of separating families. That's not right. That's not who we are."

"So we're going to keep fighting for the Dream Act. We're going to keep up the fight for reform." #immigration

Advise the Advisor: Cecilia Muñoz and Immigration Policy

wh.gov: Advise the Advisor: Cecilia Muñoz and Immigration Policy

In the latest installment of the Advise the Advisor series Cecilia Muñoz discusses the President's speech on immigration in El Paso, TX and asks for your feedback on immigration reform in America. http://whitehouse.gov/advise

Gutierrez: President needs to use his powers to alleviate our broken immigration system

RepLuisGutierrez: President needs to use his powers to alleviate our broken immigration system

May 9, 2011 - Rep. Luis V. Gutierrez (IL-4) speaks with CNN's John King on "John King, USA" regarding President Obama's upcoming speech on immigration reform. The Congressman debates Rep. Brian Bilbray, an opponent of legal and illegal immigration, and discusses the President's enforcement strategy.

5/6/2011: Mothers In Uniform, WWII-Present

5/6/2011: Mothers In Uniform, WWII-Present
Mothers Who Served, World War II – Present The White House

In honor of Mother’s Day, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is celebrating the women who have served our country and taken on one of the greatest roles in life: motherhood. Check out their stories and have a happy Mother's Day!

Cross-posted from the Veterans Affairs blog VAntage Point. First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden welcomed military spouses, mothers and grandmothers to the White House for a Mother's Day tea this week. Watch the video.

'Freedom Riders' Remembered 50 Years Later

USCIS 100:84. What movement tried to end racial discrimination?

VOANews: 'Freedom Riders' Remembered 50 Years Later

'Freedom Riders' was integrated group of young civil rights activists who decided to confront racist practices in Deep South directly (download mp3)

USCIS 100:84. What movement tried to end racial discrimination?

▪ civil rights (movement)

West Wing Week: 5/6/11 or "A Good Day For America"

VOAVideo: West Wing Week: 5/6/11 or "A Good Day For America"

This week, the President announced the death of Osama bin Laden, visited New York City to honor the victims of 9/11 and their families, made sure the federal government was doing its part in the states devastated by storms and much more.

Cinco de Mayo at the White House

I want to sign the DREAMAct into law!" --President Obama



wh.gov: Cinco de Mayo at the White House

President Obama welcomes guests to the White House for a reception to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. May 5, 2011.

In his State of the Union address, the President made it clear that the most important contest we face today is not between Democrats and Republicans, but rather America’s contest with competitors across the globe for the jobs and industries of the future. During the call, the Administration officials also introduced the report “Winning the Future: President Obama’s Agenda and the Hispanic Community,” which can be found on the new site whitehouse.gov/hispanic.

National Teachers Day

Today is National Teachers Day! Who was the teacher that changed your life? #thankateacher. You can also follow @uscitizenpod on Twitter. For more info about education, visit my other blog SATVerbalPrep. THX!



wh.gov 2011 National Teacher of the Year Award

President Obama honors 2011 National Teacher of the Year Michelle Shearer, a AP chemistry teacher at Urbana High School in Maryland along with state teacher of the year winners in a ceremony in the Rose Garden. May 3, 2011.

TERRORIST

USCIS 100:86. What major event happened on September 11, 2001, in the United States?



VOAVideo: Osama bin Laden Was Target of Perhaps Largest Manhunt in US History

The world's most wanted terrorist, Osama bin Laden, is dead at the age of 54. U.S. President Barack Obama announced that the world's most wanted terrorist was killed by U.S. forces on Sunday at a compound deep inside Pakistan. Michael Kitchen reports.

Also watch:

wh.gov: President Obama on Death of Osama bin Laden

VOAVideo: US Celebrates Osama Bin Laden's Death

USCIS 100:86. What major event happened on September 11, 2001, in the United States?

▪ Terrorists attacked the United States.

San Jose May Day March for Worker & Immigrant Rights

San Jose May Day March for Worker & Immigrant Rights:
May 1, 2011, 3:00 pm, Corner of Story Rd. & King Rd.
March to SJ City Hall and rally for Our Rights!