From its colonial beginnings, the US has had a highly diverse society, originating from around the globe.  Changing immigrant populations have continually challenged the country and fed intense debate & political efforts to restrict arrivals. Use the links to explore immigration impacts, migrants’ experiences, American nativism & changing laws.  Own Your History®  (OYH) MULTIMEDIA  ANTHOLOGYOYH anthologies collect a range of materials for exploring OYH topics. They parallel and supplement the OYH school modules which have been published as OER Resources. Groups of all ages can explore & discuss these rich and varied collections for sharing reflections on aspects of U.S. history and deepening historical knowledge. They are available  in the OER Commons, as well as through the OYH website, https://www.ownyourhistory.us/multimediaresources.

From its colonial beginnings, the US has had a highly diverse society, originating from around the globe.  Changing immigrant populations have continually challenged the country and fed intense debate & political efforts to restrict arrivals. Use the links to explore immigration impacts, migrants’ experiences, American nativism & changing laws. 

Poster showing the Statue of Liberty seen above the New York harbor and skyline. The night sky and sunset create an American flag, of which Liberty's torch forms a star.

Poster showing Liberty directing a well-dressed cigar smoker to buy bonds. United Cigar Stores Company. United Cigars.

Poster showing a button with the Statue of Liberty and the motto, "I own a Liberty Bond." No. 10(?).

Poster showing Uncle Sam gesturing towards troops, ships, and planes around the Statue of Liberty. "Shall we be more tender with our dollars than with the lives of our sons", W.G. McAdoo, Secretary of the Treasury. No. 1.

Poster showing immigrants arriving in New York harbor, with Statue of Liberty beneath a rainbow. United States Food Administration. No. 18.

Poster showing the Statue of Liberty beaming brightly over a patrol boat. Issued by City of Boston Committee on Public Safety. Forms part of: Willard and Dorothy Straight Collection.

The “Own It!” Handbook for Adults & Teens is a step-by-step guide to a fourteen topic after-school program, such as a Boys & Girls Club, or an adult Community Building group. For adults, it seeks to bridge divides and  explore what Americans have in common. For teens, it is a transformative after-school, trauma-informed enrichment program. It nurtures academic skills, personal growth and leadership. For all, it uses history to connect our past to our future, as part of the Own Your History® (OYH) Collection. Our inheritances from family history and the American experience provide the starting point for our personal journeys.  Our individual stories are part of a complex American history. We each can choose consciously to write our life story and work for a greater future. Own It! is not “school” but enhances students’ engagement in being creative, making things happen, and  achieving goals. Its mission is to help them step up and enrich their lives, especially by understanding that they live in history.

Poster showing the Statue of Liberty. Forms part of: Willard and Dorothy Straight Collection.

In this 8th grade inquiry students will analyze the "The New Colossus" poem by Emma Lazarus. Students will investigate primary sources detailing how poor immigrants were processed through Ellis Island and how a poor immigrant to the United States would typically live. Finally, students will compare and contrast the language used in "The New Colossus" and the expectations it could create with the reality of life in the United States for a poor immigrant.  Resource created by Nathan Ott, Omaha Public Schools, as part of the Nebraska ESUCC Social Studies Special Projects 2022 - Inquiry Design Model (IDM).

Poster showing immigrants on a ship's deck, sailing past the Statue of Liberty. No. 9. Title from item.

Poster showing immigrants on a ship's deck, sailing past the Statue of Liberty. No. 9.

Design drawing for a poster showing the Statue of Liberty with the sky in the background illuminated as the American flag. Title continues: A Liberty Bond is a U.S. government bond. The best security in the world. It bears interest and is readily saleable. Promotional goal: U.S. J8. 1917.

Poster showing the Statue of Liberty in ruins, and the New York skyline in flames. No. 2-B. Exhibited in: "Creating the U.S." Library of Congress, Washington, D.C., 2008.

Poster showing the Statue of Liberty in ruins, and the New York skyline in flames. No. 2-B. Exhibited in: "Creating the U.S." Library of Congress, Washington, D.C., 2008.

Poster showing Liberty, modeled on the well-known statue complete with upraised torch, offering a Red Cross shield to a wounded soldier.

Poster showing Liberty, modeled on the well-known statue complete with upraised torch, offering a Red Cross shield to a wounded soldier. Title from item.