250 to 250: 11. Yellowstone, Narrated by Jon Tester

 

Heather Cox Richardson and 250 to 250: Yellowstone, Narrated by Jon Tester

Former Montana Senator Jon Tester is a third-generation farmer and former school teacher who has served at the local, state, and federal levels of government. Tester explores the origins and influence of Yellowstone, America’s first national park.

In 1872, Ulysses S. Grant signed a law creating Yellowstone National Park.

• Yellowstone was the first national park in the United States.
• The park is located in parts of Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho.
• Yellowstone has mountains, hot springs, and the famous Old Faithful geyser.
• Native American people, including the Shoshone, lived in the area for many years.
• Some business leaders wanted to use the land for tourism.

Congress decided that the land should be protected for everyone to enjoy.

• Yellowstone became a public park for the people.
• The national park idea helped protect beautiful places in the United States.
• Today, the National Park System includes hundreds of parks, battlefields, and monuments.
• These protected places preserve millions of acres of land across the country.
• National parks help people learn about nature, history, and culture.
  

POP Interview and Civics Quiz: 

• N-400 Part 9:05.b.6. Have you EVER advocated (supported and promoted), or been a member of, involved in, or in any way the unlawful damage, injury, or destruction of property?
• USCIS 100:33.  Who signs bills to become laws?
• USCIS 128:20. Name one power of the U.S. Congress.

Family Fun:

• NPS Yellowstone: Curriculum | Junior Ranger Guide
• PBS: Ken Burns' The National Parks: America's Best Idea (stream or borrow the DVDs from your library)
• Yellowstone Forever: Yellowstone Coloring Pages