Laura Bush Gives Louisiana History Lesson

The First Lady was in New Orleans yesterday. Sadly it did not get much get much press up here in the Northern part of the state. Perhaps it did not get much press outside New Orleans. See Laura Bush visits Algiers school

I am history lover and I very much like the speech she gave. See Remarks by the First Lady at a National Endowment for Humanities' Picturing America Event.

We should know our history. At times I am shocked at one comes out of people mouths. My favorite is when some Cajun is talking about these damn immigrants need to speak ENGLISH like NOW. I swear!! It is the same with Italians whose grandmothers lived here often for decades and were still speaking Italian non stop until they died. Not saying people should not learn English and assimilate to the American Essential ideals but still the tone is a tad shocking thinking on our history

The whole thing is a nice read but as to her remarks about Louisiana

Louisiana has a long history with a very diverse population. When the East Coast was still populated mainly by British colonists, New Orleans boasted citizens of English, French, Spanish, African and German origin. This diversity, in fact, caused a stir when the Territory of Orleans petitioned for statehood. Congressman Josiah Quincy objected most passionately, and he said, "It was not for these men that our fathers fought."

Fortunately, Quincy's objections were overridden and Louisiana became America's 18th state in the year 1812. Its admission to the United States made a statement that endures today, and that is: American identity is not defined by place of birth or race; American identity is defined by a set of shared values and ideals.......

This understanding of what it means to be American has helped our nation accommodate rapid change. After all, 32 more states joined the Union after Louisiana, and America did not suffer the "dissolution" that Quincy predicted. But basing national identity on a set of ideals makes our unity fragile across generations. America has a proud past and a bright future. But we must safeguard it by educating young people about the values that make us who we are.

Nice read. Thank you First Lady:)