By Ryan H.
Newark, Delaware
In 1930, the KKK burnt a cross on my great-grandmothers yard. She was 13. The KKK intimidated African-Americans, immigrants, Catholics, and Jews. My ancestors fit this description, so they were targeted. They lived in a German-speaking neighborhood in Philadelphia called Brewerytown, which was known for its breweries and German-speaking people. My ancestors came from a region of Eastern Europe known as Galicia (Ukraine) . My great-great-grandparents moved to the United States fleeing extremely poor conditions, settled in Philadelphia, and married in 1914. I was born in 2014. What America means to me is a place that can change.
Join all Americans and share your story about your history and your hopes and dreams for the future of our country. Together, we will tell the American story through videos and the most inclusive commemoration in our history.
Engaging students nationwide to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary!
This contest invites students in grades 3–12 to share their perspectives on what America means to them — and earn the opportunity to travel for field trip experiences at some of the nation’s most iconic historic and cultural landmarks.