In the News: Labor Rights

Creative Commons image courtesy of dctim1 on Flickr

After the recent factory collapses in Bangladesh and Cambodia, global attention is finally being paid to the conditions in which many employees are subjected to work. Although the majority of the blame has fallen on the factory owners and the government officials who did not properly regulate conditions, the brands who used the factories to produce their goods are also being subjected to international scrutiny. This has led to a collective agreement among brands, retailers, and trade unions called the Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh, which will entail safety inspections of the hundreds of factories in Bangladesh and public reportings on the findings. This is a big step in the right direction to ensure safety for factory workers in these countries.

Bangladesh Factory Safety Accord: At Least 14 Major North American Retailers Decline To Sign – Huffington Post (find it on the ipl2)

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/17/bangladesh-factory-safety-accord_n_3286430.html

This Huffington Post article describes some of the stipulations of the Bangladesh Safety Accord and lists some North American based retailers who have declined to sign due to working on separate initiatives they believe will improve conditions in Bangladesh.

Ethical Shopping: How the High Street Fashion Stores Rate – The Guardian (find it on the ipl2)

http://www.guardian.co.uk/fashion/2013/may/17/ethical-shopping-high-street-fashion?INTCMP=SRCH

“In the wake of this crisis, most concerned readers want to know: which are the ethical shops on the high street? Sam Maher, of Labour Behind the Label, says “Why not reward those companies for making a step? Choose the brand that’s signed over the one that has not.”

Behindthelabel.org (find it on the ipl2)

http://www.labourbehindthelabel.org/

“A multimedia news website covering the stories of people fighting for fundamental human and labor rights against the goliath global clothing industry.” Features a FAQ, news, campaigns, audio and video clips, a browsable archive, and related links. Sponsored by a “global alliance of clothing workers, religious leaders, and students.”

Institute for Global Labour and Human Rights (find it on the ipl2)

http://www.globallabourrights.org/

Formerly known as the National Labor Committee [NLC], the mission of the Institute for Global Labour and Human Rights is to help defend the human rights of workers in the global economy. The Institute investigates and exposes human and labor rights abuses committed by U.S. companies producing goods in the developing world.” The site contains news, articles, reports, and more.

Sam Reiss: An Eyewitness to Labor History, 1948-1975 (find it on the ipl2)

http://www.nyu.edu/library/bobst/collections/exhibits/tam/reiss/

“Often referred to as ‘labor’s photographer,’ Sam Reiss used his camera to capture historic events that shaped American labor.” This online exhibit presents Reiss’s photos of labor unions, demonstrations and rallies, labor and civil rights leaders, and related subjects. Browse by year or subject. From the Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives at New York University.

Thank you for visiting the ipl2!

Reminder: You can now subscribe to ipl2’s newsletter and weekly blog posts via email as well as RSS. The “Email Subscription” feature appears prominently in the upper left-hand side of the page on the ipl2’s News and Information WordPress blog. Subscription is free and open to all!

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

In The News: Connecting Through Social Media

Social Media Word Cloud created at wordle.net.

It has become evident in the last few years that social media is about more than keeping in touch. Social media has become a way for us to become connected in more ways than ever before. This week’s In The News highlights recent events in which the importance of the social media connection exists.

New resources that will be added to the ipl2 are noted NEW!  All other resources can already be found in the ipl2 collection.

Amanda Palmer: The Art of Asking – TED (find it on the ipl2)

http://www.ted.com/talks/amanda_palmer_the_art_of_asking.html

Musician Amanda Palmer is famous for breaking with her major recording label so that she could create music her way. She has infamously used her twitter account to connect with her fans all across the world in order to find boarding, food, musicians, and possible “ninja gig” locations. The strong connection she has with her fans allowed her to raise over $1 million in her kickstarter  project in 2012.  At the 2013 TED Convention, Amanda Palmer shares the importance of connection – online and in-person – and why no one should ever be afraid of asking for what they need.

NEW! I’m Still Here: Back Online After a Year without the Internet – The Verge

http://www.theverge.com/2013/5/1/4279674/im-still-here-back-online-after-a-year-without-the-internet

On April 30, 2012, The Verge tech writer, Paul Miller, left the internet that he thought was making him an unproductive. In this article he details his year long journey without the internet and the surprising conclusions he developed about the internet’s part in the real world and staying connected with those around you.

Social Media and the Search for the Boston Bombers – CBS News (find it on the ipl2)

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-18559_162-57580603/social-media-and-the-search-for-the-boston-bombing-suspects/

This CBS News article discusses the search for the Boston Bombing suspects last month via twitter with Mashable< http://mashable.com/&gt; Editor-in-Chief Lance Ulanoff. In this recent crisis people turned to social media to discover information and to help with the search. Ulanoff explains that while the crowdsourcing information wasn’t always correct, the people on Twitter and Reddit would start over and get it right.

Social Media Helps Cancer Patient – Huffington Post (find it on the ipl2)

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/12/marie-sowler-19yearold-ca_n_3254576.html

Through YouTube, Reddit, and twitter, social media helped dying cancer patient Marie Sowler reach out to Sleeping With Sirens singer, Kellin Quinn. It took a less than a day for Kellin to respond and figure out how to meet her young fan.

Social Media Safety – NetSmartz.org (find it on the ipl2)

http://www.netsmartz.org

Social media is a wonderful way to stay connected with people, but it’s also important to remember the rules of online safety.  NetSmartz is supported by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children and provides internet and social media safety advice for parents, teens, and children.  Stay safe!

Don’t forget to find the ipl2 on social media! Facebook , Twitter , and YouTube.

Thank you for visiting the ipl2!

Reminder: You can now subscribe to ipl2’s newsletter and weekly blog posts via email as well as RSS. The “Email Subscription” feature appears prominently in the upper left-hand side of the page on the ipl2’s News and Information WordPress blog. Subscription is free and open to all!

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

In the News: U.S. National Teacher Appreciation Day

Rendered by Pixabay, public domain.

In order to celebrate U.S. National Teacher Appreciation Day (observed yesterday, May 7, 2013 as part of National Teacher Week), here are a few sites from the ipl2’s collection for teachers and administrators. Some of these sites are admittedly more fun than others, but they are all share one goal: to support educators everywhere. Enjoy them all week long!

New resources that will be added to the ipl2 are noted NEW! All other resources can already be found in the ipl2 collection.

NEW! Apple in Education: Resources

http://www.apple.com/education/resources/

This is a collection of video tutorials, classroom guides, and web pages aiming to assist educators in teaching with Apple products (such as the iPad and other devices using iOS), creating classroom content, finding federal funding for projects, and looking for creative ways to support their professional development.

Education World (find it on the ipl2)

http://www.educationworld.com/standards/national/

Search the web using this education-specific search engine, find lesson plans, browse employment listings, and read articles on current K-12 education issues and professional development.

The Learning Page (find it on the ipl2)

http://www.loc.gov/teachers/index.html

This site was created by the Library of Congress to assist teachers in using the American Memory Collections, an online archive of over 100 collections of rare and unique items important to America’s heritage, to teach history and culture. It offers educators guidance on using primary sources, as well as providing activities, discussions, and lesson plans for classroom use.

PBS TeacherSource (find it on the ipl2)

http://www.pbs.org/teachers/

PBS TeacherSource includes more than 3,000 free lesson plans and activities. To help educators find materials quickly, resources are organized into seven subject areas (Arts & Literature, Health & Fitness, Math, Science, Social Studies, Pre K-2, and Library Media).

ProTeacher (find it on the ipl2)

http://www.proteacher.com/

ProTeacher is a Web directory of lesson plans and activities organized into thematic and subject areas for elementary school teachers and parents.

The Teacher’s Companion to Anime (find it on the ipl2)

http://www.koyagi.com/teachers.html

A useful guide for teachers who might be considering using manga, anime, or related materials in their classroom as learning material. This site highlights the terminology and symbolism present in Japanese graphic novels and lists possible cultural aspects to be discussed in the classroom. It also addresses some of the “problematic content” that may not be suitable for younger students and acts as an online reader advisory for teachers and librarians alike.

Teachers Support Network (find it on the ipl2)

http://www.teacherssupportnetwork.com/Home.do

For teachers and school districts across the U.S., this site provides an extensive database of the best available candidates, ensures their preparedness through unique assessment tools, and offers ongoing support for long-term retention. It also offers Teacher Tools and Advice covering such things as online job hunting and landing your first teaching job.

Thank you for visiting the ipl2!

Reminder: You can now subscribe to ipl2’s newsletter and weekly blog posts via email as well as RSS. The “Email Subscription” feature appears prominently in the upper left-hand side of the page on the ipl2’s News and Information WordPress blog. Subscription is free and open to all!

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

In the News: Berlin Wall

Graffiti from the East Side Gallery (2006) by Dr Santa. Source: Wikimedia Commons

In 1989, Germans celebrated the fall of the Berlin Wall.  Nearly 25 years later, some are fighting to keep it up.  The longest remaining section of the infamous Cold War barricade that divided the German capital for decades is a 70-foot-long chunk that has served as an outdoor monument and art gallery since 1990.  However, a luxury apartment development plan threatened to eradicate this historical landmark earlier this month.  A stand-off between construction workers and throngs of protesters has temporarily halted work on the building project; however, the long-term preservation of the East Side Gallery remains to be seen.  While waiting to find out the piece’s ultimate fate, be sure to check out the ipl2’s Berlin Wall resources!

New resources that will be added to the ipl2 are noted NEW! All other resources can already be found in the ipl2 collection.

Berlin Wall Online (find it on the ipl2)

http://www.dailysoft.com/berlinwall/

This searchable site contains vast amounts of information on the Berlin Wall including a timeline, photographs with views of Checkpoint Charlie, escapes, wall art, and the wall’s demolition. You can also find facts about the wall and an extensive archive of documents (mostly in German). It also includes links and personal narratives.

The Berlin Wall (find it on the ipl2)

http://www.newseum.org/berlinwall/

From Washington D.C.’s Newseum, this virtual exhibit tells the story of the Berlin Wall and explores how news coverage differed in East and West Berlin. Includes an essay, timeline (1945-1989), and information on censorship under Stalin.

The Wall (PBS) (find it on the ipl2)

http://www.pbs.org/programs/the-wall/

This two-part documentary that first aired on PBS in June 2010 and January 2011 can now be streamed online for free.  The first part examines life in a divided Berlin. The second part looks at the fall of the wall and the subsequent events leading up to a reunified Germany.

The Berlin Wall (Berlin.de) (find it on the ipl2)

http://www.berlin.de/mauer/index.en.html

Berlin’s official city website has an entire section dedicated to the Berlin Wall.  Highlights include information about the wall’s location, border crossings, and present-day memorials, along with a facts and figures page and a wide variety of photos.

NEW! Berlin Wall Art

http://www.berlinwallart.com/pages/us/map.html

Photographer Edward Murray captured much of the Berlin Wall’s wild and wonderful graffiti on film.  His site exhibits hundreds of these photos, grouped by geographic location.  These primary source documents help convey a sense of the size of the structure as well as the artistry and political commentary of German graffiti artists of the time.  Please note that the photographs are copyrighted by Mr. Murray and his permission should be sought in order to use or reproduce these photos.

NEW! Voices of U.S. Diplomacy and the Berlin Wall

http://diplomacy.state.gov/berlinwall/prologue.html

Sponsored by the United States Diplomacy Center, this online exhibit provides an overview of the Berlin Wall’s history with an emphasis on American governmental reactions and involvement.  An introductory video greets visitors, who can also find an archive of fascinating documents within the site.

Thank you for visiting the ipl2!

Reminder: You can now subscribe to ipl2’s newsletter and weekly blog posts via email as well as RSS. The “Email Subscription” feature appears prominently in the upper left-hand side of the page on the ipl2’s News and Information WordPress blog.  Subscription is free and open to all!

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

In the News: Meteors and Meteorites

Meteor Bolide (2011) by CM Handler, reprinted with permission.

Many people are still talking about the meteorite that exploded over Russian skies last month, injuring over a thousand people. The bright light and shock waves could be seen and felt for miles. What exactly is a meteorite and how common are they? Learn more about this astronomical phenomenon below.

New resources that will be added to the ipl2 are noted NEW! All other resources can already be found in the ipl2 collection.

Geology.com (find it on the ipl2)

http://geology.com/articles/meteor.shtml

Geology.com discusses the differences between meteoroids, meteorites, and “shooting stars.” Also, it provides the criteria needed for a meteor to be considered a “fireball.” Geology.com contains many articles, maps, and photographs spanning categories such as rocks, weather, and other earth science topics.

Natural History Museum (find it on the ipl2)

http://www.nhm.ac.uk/nature-online/space/meteorites-dust/index.html

The Natural History Museum located in London, England, has an abundance of information about meteors and meteorites. This page explains the difference between the two and provides a look at the museum’s collection of meteorite fragments. Users can learn about Martian meteorites by navigating a virtual map of the planet.

NASA’s Solar System Exploration (find it on the ipl2)

http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/planets/profile.cfm?Object=Meteors

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has a plethora of information about meteors and meteorites. At the bottom of the page, there is a list of resources that include videos and images of meteors and meteorites. Also, there is an Education tab that includes lesson plans and activities to share what you have learned.

ESA Kids – Our Universe (find it on the ipl2)

http://www.esa.int/esaKIDSen/SEMN99WJD1E_OurUniverse_0.html

The European Space Agency (ESA) has a fun, interactive kids’ page that discusses all things related to space and Earth science. The Comets and Meteors page explains what they are and where they come from. This informative website also includes fun activities and projects that children can do at home or in the classroom.

The Barringer Meteorite Crater (find it on the ipl2)

http://www.barringercrater.com/

The Barringer Meteorite Crater is located in northern Arizona and was created fifty-thousand years ago by a giant fireball. This website explains the history of the crater as well as how the crater was formed. There are lessons and downloadable resources for teachers and educators. Also, there is information for people planning to visit the site of the meteorite’s impact.

The International Meteor Organization (find it on the ipl2)

http://www.imo.net/

The International Meteor Organization (IMO) is an international, non-profit organization that encourages amateur meteor work. They publish a bimonthly journal and other publications around the world. Nonmembers can peruse the glossary of meteor science and the meteor shower calendar. There are also tips for observing meteor showers to see the best results.

American Meteor Society (find it on the ipl2)

http://www.amsmeteors.org/

The American Meteor Society also promotes education and involvement with meteor work. This page has an impressive collection of photographs and videos of recent meteor sightings as well as information about fireballs and meteor showers. Users are encouraged to submit their observations and engage in conversation about this amazing phenomenon.

Thank you for visiting the ipl2!

Reminder: You can now subscribe to ipl2’s newsletter and weekly blog posts via email as well as RSS. The “Email Subscription” feature appears prominently in the upper left-hand side of the page on the ipl2’s News and Information WordPress blog.  Subscription is free and open to all!

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

In the News: Spring Training

Players at Boston Red Sox Spring Training in Little Rock Arkansas

Spring! The end of winter, a time of renewal, the harbinger of baseball! Major League Baseball’s Spring Training is a time when all baseball teams meet up in various cities in Arizona and Florida for approximately 4- 6 weeks to begin preparing for the six month-long baseball season. Spring Training is a time for veteran players to condition their bodies and minds into playing shape for the long season, as well as a time for team managers and personnel to evaluate the rookies and younger players attempting to make the major league roster.

Arizona and Florida are two states where the weather is generally in contrast to other states at this time of year, with warm, mild days, away from the cold and snow of northern and mid-western states. These conditions are ideal for fans and students on spring break to take a respite from their own winter conditions and visit warmer sites while seeing their favorite players and teams in smaller, more fan-friendly environments than offered in the big ballparks during the regular season.

Throughout the years, Spring Training usually ran during the month of March, with catchers and pitchers often reporting 2-3 weeks earlier to begin a regimen of getting their arms in shape. More recently, all players are arriving earlier with actual training games being played earlier as well (the first Arizona games began on February 23, 2012). Spring Training now ends sometime during the last week of March, to give teams time to get back to their home ballparks and prepare for their first regular season game.

New resources that will be added to the ipl2 are noted NEW! All other resources can already be found in the ipl2 collection.

Spring Training: The Official Site of MLB’s Cactus and Grapefruit Leagues  (find it on the ipl2)

http://mlb.mlb.com/springtraining/index.jsp

This is the official Major League Baseball website for its Spring Training prior to the regular season. It includes news, schedules, results, and other features about Major League Baseball’s annual spring training in Arizona and Florida. It also features photos, video and audio clips, and stories about players and teams.

NEW! Cactus League

http://www.cactusleague.com/

This website provides information about spring training baseball in Arizona, which has been a tradition for devoted fans since 1947, when just two teams, the Cleveland Indians and the New York Giants, came to prepare for the upcoming baseball season while escaping the cold and snow of the northeastern United States. Today, 15 teams train in the Phoenix metropolitan area in the greatest concentration of professional baseball facilities found anywhere in the United States. This website has everything fans need to enjoy one game or several during the 2013 spring training season, as well as information on stadiums, schedules, teams, and official press releases.

Florida’s Grapefruit League (find it on the ipl2)

http://www.floridagrapefruitleague.com/

This is a website for Major League Baseball (MLB) spring training in Florida, where 16 teams play in 15 locations throughout the state. This site provides history, a list of teams and locations, photos, schedules, attendance figures, a printable guide, and related material from the Florida Sports Foundation.

NEW! Old Spring Training Sites

http://www.modernerabaseball.com/id80.html

Littered throughout America, particularly in Florida, are former, historic Spring Training venues that have managed to reinvent themselves. Four are even listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. It’s a story of how municipalities have turned diamonds once roamed by Hall-of-Famers into homes for future MLB stars. This site lists former Cactus and Grapefruit League Spring Training sites and what they are used for now.

Spring Training Sites for all American League Baseball Teams on Baseball Almanac (find it on the ipl2)

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/teams/springtrainingsites-al.shtml

Baseball Almanac presents a comprehensive Spring Training site-chart for the American League. Franchise moves ARE included in this historical chart so reviewing the Oakland Athletics line means data from their time in Philadelphia will be included as well. This website provides all Spring Training site by team, year and location.

Spring Training Sites for all National League Baseball Teams on Baseball Almanac (find it on the ipl2)

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/teams/springtrainingsites-nl.shtml

Baseball Almanac presents a comprehensive Spring Training site-chart for the National League. Franchise moves ARE included in this historical chart so reviewing the Atlanta Braves line means data from their time in Boston & Milwaukee will be included as well. This website provides all Spring Training site by team, year and location.

Thank you for visiting the ipl2!

Reminder: You can now subscribe to ipl2’s newsletter and weekly blog posts via email as well as RSS. The “Email Subscription” feature appears prominently in the upper left-hand side of the page on the ipl2’s News and Information WordPress blog.  Subscription is free and open to all!

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

In the News: The Pope

Pope Benedict XVI reprinted with permission by Sergey Kozhukhov

On Monday, February 11, 2013,  Pope Benedict XVI shocked Catholics around the world by announcing his resignation from the papacy effective February 28th, 2013. He is the first pope in 600 years to step down from the post, which is one of the reasons that this is such a surprise to even those close to him. Let’s take this opportunity to look at the history of the papacy as well as explore the Vatican.

New resources that will be added to the ipl2 are noted NEW! All other resources can already be found in the ipl2 collection.

L’Osservatore Romano (find it on the ipl2)

http://www.osservatoreromano.va/

L’osservatore Romano is the official newspaper of the Vatican. It is written in many languages, including English, for those living outside of Italy and gives an insider view of how the Vatican reports the news on happenings within. For the past several days, this newspaper has had many articles on Pope Benedict’s resignation, how the Vatican is handling it and the response of Catholics from all over the world. This newspaper gives a fascinating look at the inner workings of the Vatican.

NEW! Vatican Radio

http://en.radiovaticana.va/index.asp

Vatican Radio touts itself as the “voice of the pope and the church in dialogue with the world.” Here you will find full text and audio of Pope Benedict’s resignation. Of particular interest are the additional articles, podcasts, live radio, and videos about the papacy. For those who can’t make the trip to the Vatican, this site has a live Web-TV link to the outside of St. Peter’s Square. You can watch the goings on from the comfort of your couch!

The List of Popes: The Catholic Encyclopedia (find it on the ipl2)

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12272b.htm

The Catholic Encyclopedia has an exhaustive list of all of the Popes of the Vatican, beginning with St. Peter (32—67), all the way to Benedict XVI (2005—). Click on any name and you will find a biography of that Pope. Benedict was only the 9th Pope to ever resign. Click on the others to read the circumstances of their resignations – Pontian (230—235), Marcellinus (296—304), Martin I (649—655), Benedict V (964), Benedict IX (1032—45), Gregory VI (1045—46), Celestine V (1294), and Gregory XII (1406—15).

NEW! History of the Papacy

http://www.historyworld.net/wrldhis/plaintexthistories.asp?historyid=ac65

From a definition of the word pope to the origins of the Catholic church, this site has fascinating information about the history of the papacy from its inception. Understanding its history will further knowledge of what pressures the pope faces, how his position came about, and how it has evolved over the centuries. This site also explains why the pope usually dies in office, the process of electing a new popes, and the origin of that process.

NEW! Inside the Vatican: National Geographic News

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2001/11/1118_vaticanmain.html

From the book and TV documentary “Inside the Vatican, National Geographic Goes Behind the Public Facade,” National Geographic Society (NGS) takes an unprecedented close-up look at the workings of the Vatican. With chapters including St. Peter’s Basilica, The Swiss Guards, The Pope’s Day, A City-State, The World’s Most Beautiful Stuff, The Holy See, Electing a New Pope, The Secret Archives, The Making of the Inside of the Vatican, and a Kids Activity Guide, this webpage has it all for the Vatican enthusiast. Although the NGS channel is no longer showing the 2001 documentary, narrated by Martin Sheen, one can purchase the DVD from the NGS store if interested.

NEW! Dante’s World, Inferno

http://danteworlds.laits.utexas.edu/circle8a.html

The last time a pope resigned voluntarily was 1294. Interestingly, rumor has it that the great poet Dante Alighieri was so angry about it that he put the abdicating pope (called Clement in this article), Celestine V, into the antechamber of his Inferno. In the more than seven centuries since, no pope has taken the name Celestine. Taken from “Dante’s World, A Readers Guide to the Inferno” (2007) this site has an analysis of how Dante viewed Celestine’s papacy and the effects of his resignation.

Thank you for visiting the ipl2!

Reminder: You can now subscribe to ipl2’s newsletter and weekly blog posts via email as well as RSS. The “Email Subscription” feature appears prominently in the upper left-hand side of the page on the ipl2’s News and Information WordPress blog.  Subscription is free and open to all!

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

In the News: Immigration

President Obama and the U.S. Congress recently unveiled their proposals for an overhaul of the American immigration system. The sites below outline the history of immigration in the United States, as well as current information on this ongoing debate.

New resources that will be added to the ipl2 are noted NEW! All other resources can already be found in the ipl2 collection.

ipl2 Pathfinder: Immigration in the United States (find it on the ipl2)

http://www.ipl.org/div/pf/entry/48539

This IPL pathfinder is a starting point for research on immigration issues in the United States. This page is designed for history students of all ages, educators, and anyone who wants to explore current immigration issues. Both print and Internet resources are provided.

Immigration to the United States, 1789-1930 (find it on the ipl2)

http://ocp.hul.harvard.edu/immigration/

Examine the history of immigration in America with this digital collection from the Open Collections Program of the Harvard University Library, covering the period from the signing of the Constitution to the onset of the Great Depression. Search on your own, or browse by genre, topics, themes, people, and organizations. This site also includes a timeline.

The Immigration Debate (find it on the ipl2)

http://www.npr.org/series/5310549/the-immigration-debate

This collection from National Public Radio (NPR) features questions and answers about immigration debates (immigration policy in general, illegal immigrants and the U.S. economy, and the U.S.-Mexico border), and opinions about immigration from politicians and other leaders. It also includes stories on guest workers, border control, public opinion of immigration laws, immigration rights protests, and related topics.

National Immigration Forum (find it on the ipl2)

http://www.immigrationforum.org/

The National Immigration Forum advocates and builds public support for public policies that welcome immigrants and refugees and that are fair and supportive to newcomers in our country. The resources on this web site range from important immigration facts to current events and recent immigration legislation.

Immigration Equality (find it on ipl2)

http://www.immigrationequality.org/

This site explains, promotes, and defends the immigration rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered, and HIV-positive people under United States immigration law. The site addresses such issues as discrimination, referrals, consultations, outreach, and emergency asylum. It has a section where immigrants and would-be immigrants share their stories. Some information is also available in Spanish.

Thank you for supporting the ipl2! We hope you found these resources informative.

Reminder: You can now subscribe to ipl2’s newsletter and weekly blog posts via email as well as RSS. The “Email Subscription” feature appears prominently in the upper left-hand side of the page on the ipl2’s News and Information WordPress blog.  Subscription is free and open to all!

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

In the News: Super Bowl XLVII

The 47^th Super Bowl was played on Sunday, February 3, 2013 at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. The NFL championship game was won by the Baltimore Ravens 34-31 over the San Francisco 49ers. It was the second Super Bowl won by the Ravens.  For the first time in Super Bowl history, it featured opposing head coach brothers, Baltimore’s John Harbaugh and San Francisco’s Jim Harbaugh. Check out the sites below to find out more information about the history of the Super Bowl and the teams that played in this year’s game.

New resources that will be added to the ipl2 are noted NEW! All other resources can already be found in the ipl2 collection.

SuperBowl.com (find it on the ipl2)

http://www.nfl.com/superbowl/history

The NFL’s official Super Bowl site includes information about every Super Bowl played going back to Super Bowl I. The site includes information on the teams that played, the score, the MVP of the Game, the logo of each Bowl, who sung the national anthem, who the halftime entertainment was, as well as many other stats and facts.

NEW! Baltimore Ravens

http://www.baltimoreravens.com/

This is the official site of the Baltimore Ravens. It features information on the current roster, team statistics, media clips of the team, history of the team, and much more.

San Francisco 49ers (find it on the ipl2)

http://www.49ers.com/

This is the official site of the San Francisco 49ers. This site includes the player roster, team stats, media galleries, a history of the team including year-by-year statistics starting from 1950, and much more.

What’s in a name?

Interestingly this year’s match-up brought us two teams with names that are attributable to their regions in the 1840’s. The Baltimore Ravens were formerly the Cleveland Browns. The owner, Art Modell, relocated them to Baltimore in 1996. In order to select a new name, the franchise reached out to Baltimore fans through polls and focus groups to let them decide. The chosen name, the Ravens,  was inspired by the 1845 poem, The Raven, written by Edgar Allen Poe. For more information about Edgar Allen Poe and his most famous work, The Raven, visit the Edgar Allen Poe Society of Baltimore.

Illustrations are by Édouard Manet from the French translation of Edgar Allen Poe’s The Raven. Le Corbeau was translated by Stéphane Mallarmé. Illustration left to right: Le Corbeau – Manet , frontispiece and Le Corbeau – Manet, Plate 3.

The Edgar Allen Poe Society of Baltimore (find it on the ipl2)

http://www.eapoe.org/

Topics in this site range from standard bibliographical references and a biography to Poe’s family tree, appearance, religion, finances, and death. The selection of Poe’s work includes at least one version of every surviving poem and tale; essays, lectures, and literary criticism; and all known letters, including fakes. Poe’s life in Baltimore is chronicled with links to many historic sites and images. Links to other Poe-related organizations and Web sites complete this impressive source. Unanswered questions about Poe? Nevermore!

The San Francisco 49ers name was suggested by one of the original co-owners, Allen Sorell, in 1946, the 49ers’ first year of operation. It references the 300,000+ gold-seekers that flooded the California region from 1848-1855. It is the only name the team has ever been affiliated with and San Francisco is the only city in which the team has resided. To learn more about the original 49ers, check out Gold Rush – American Experience.

Images are from the Robert N. Dennis collection of stereoscopic views. From left to right: Placer Mining, Brown’s Flat, Tuolumne County; Placer Mining, panning out; and Placer Mining, Columbia, Tuolumne Co.
To see each image in its original context, please click the titles of the images.

Gold Rush – PBS – American Experience (find it on the ipl2)

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/goldrush/

Did you know that those who went west for gold sometimes spent $100 for a cup of water? This site includes maps, a timeline, information on the people and events, and other fun facts about the California Gold Rush.

Reminder: You can subscribe to ipl2’s newsletter and weekly blog posts via email as well as RSS.  The “Email Subscription” feature appears prominently in the upper left-hand side of the page on the ipl2’s News and Information WordPress blog. Subscription is free and open to all!

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Elections and more

We have heard a great deal leading up to the general election, which occurred on November 6, 2012.  People went to the polls to elect a president, vice president and other government representatives.  Additionally, various state and local officials were on the ballot.   Here are some facts about elections in the United States.

2012 Presidential Election (Find it at ipl2.org)
http://www.politico.com/2012-election/map/#President/2012

You can find information at this site about the breakdown of results by state, as well as information about the Senate, House of Representatives, Governor, and Ballot Measures results. Politico is an online news source.

The Democratic Party (find at ipl2.org)
http://www.democrats.org/about/our_history

This webpage relates the history of the Democratic Party which started about 200 years ago. It highlights milestones of the party from The 19th Amendment; Women’s Suffrage (1920); the establishment of Social Security during Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s administration (1935); the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Bill Clinton’s balancing the budget (1990s). It is hosted by the Democratic National Committee.

The Republican Party (find at ipl2.org)
http://www.gop.com/our-party/our-history/

This webpage relates the history of the Republican Party which started with those people who were opposed to slavery in the early 1850’s. It became a national party in 1856 and then helped elect Abraham Lincoln in 1860. This election established it as a major political party. Milestones of the party include passage of the 13th (outlawed slavery), 14th (guaranteed equal protection under the laws), and 15th Amendments which helped secure voting rights for African-Americans.  It is hosted by the Republican National Committee.

Other Political Parties (find it at ipl2.org)
http://www.edgate.com/elections/inactive/the_parties/

Since Washington was elected in 1789, political parties have changed, grown and disappeared during our country’s history. This website gives a timeline of the development of the Democratic and Republican Parties, as well as other parties that were supported by presidential candidates during past elections. Other questions are posted with links to information on this website hosted by EdGate.com which is associated with USA Today.

The Electoral College (find at ipl2.org)
http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/electoral-college/

This website discusses the aspects of the Electoral College and why we have it. Did you know that for this year’s election, the electoral vote will certify the election of the President and Vice President on January 6, 2013? The answer to this question and many others are found on this website hosted by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).

The Elephant and the Donkey
http://www.ourwhitehouse.org/donkeyandelephant.html

These two animals have long represented the Democratic and Republican Parties, so why do we have these animals representing their respective political party? This webpage, hosted by the White House, discusses the reason, the political cartoonist who perpetuated the use of these icons, and gives other resources for students and adults to further the discussion about this topic.

The Polls
http://www.pbs.org/now/politics/polling.html

Did you pay attention to the polls during the months leading up to the November General Election? How did we get these polls in the first place? You might be surprised at how long ago people began using polls to determine public opinion.  Find out more about polls at this website hosted by the Public Broadcasting System.

____________________________________________________________________________________________