Making History 🎨 ✏️ 📜

Take your inspiration from something that happened today in history.

What will I need?

1. Pen, pencil, or drawing materials (colors, brushes, etc.).

2. Paper or sketchbook.

Steps

1. Check out this list of historical events, or choose one from this shorter list (wow this is a big day!)

   • 1955 - The Murder of Emmett Till

   • 1963 - Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" Speech

   • 2008 - Barack Obama Accepts Democratic Nomination

2. Think about how this event makes you feel or what it symbolizes to you.

3. Use your pen, pencil, or drawing materials to create a piece of art or write a short story, poem, or free write inspired by the event.

4. If you want, share it with friends or family, or just keep it as a personal reflection.

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Tips, Guidance, Inspiration, and Science:

Want to keep going?

1. Try a different historical event.

2. Collaborate with a friend or family member on a shared historical event.

Help! I'm stuck!

1. Focus on a specific detail of the event rather than the whole story.

2. Imagine how the people involved felt, and let your emotions guide your creativity.

3. Look at pictures or read first-hand accounts to immerse yourself in the time and place.

What's the science?

Building domain knowledge (e.g., about history) can help you be more creative. Ward, T. B. (2008).

Standing on the shoulders of giants

Big thanks to our friends at Another Limited Rebellion for this activity idea. If you’re looking to help your team be more creative at work, they’re here to help! 

"History is who we are and why we are the way we are." — David McCullough