As you prepare for summer vacation, read up on the history of some of America's national holidays. This issue of HISTORY NOW features articles by a group of noted scholars providing a closer look at the origins and the significance of Independence Day, Thanksgiving, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, Labor Day, and Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

As always, we have asked a group of skilled, experienced, and creative teachers to provide exemplary lesson plans at various grade levels, in addition to resources from our archivist. And don't miss our holiday pop quiz! All of these resources are available at http://www.historynow.org

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