250 to 250: 36. U.S. Virgin Islands, Purchase of, Narrated by Rep. Stacey Plaskett

 

Heather Cox Richardson and 250 to 250: U.S. Virgin Islands, Purchase of, Narrated by Rep. Stacey Plaskett

Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett is the first person in a territory to be named a Ranking Member of a Select Committee and is serving her 6th term as a delegate to the House of Representatives from the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The United States Virgin Islands are an important part of U.S. history.

• Alexander Hamilton lived and studied on the island of St. Croix when he was young.
• In 1917, the United States bought the islands from Denmark.
• The United States wanted to protect the Caribbean region.
• The people of the Virgin Islands were not allowed to vote on the sale.
• They did not receive any of the money from the purchase.
• People from the Virgin Islands have served in the U.S. military.
• They have helped the United States in many ways.
• They have been soldiers, leaders, artists, and public servants.
• Today, the U.S. Virgin Islands is a U.S. territory.
• The people of the U.S. Virgin Islands are U.S. citizens.
• Many people continue to work for equal rights and equal representation.

POP Interview and Civics Quiz:

• N-400 Part 2:08 What is your Country of Birth?
• N-400 Part 2:09 What is your Country of Citizenship or Nationality?
• USCIS 100:91. Name one U.S. territory.
• USCIS 128:70. What is one way Americans can serve their country?

Family Fun:

• Ballotpedia: Citizenship status in territories of the United States
• Friends of US Virgina Islands National Parks: School Kids In The Park Teaching Resources (many activity books and coloring pages)
• NPS: Christianstide National Historical Site Unior Ranger Book
• US Mint: US Virgin Island Quarter coloring page
• US Commission on Human Rights: The Status of Civil Rights in the U.S. Virgin Islands (see page 11 for Key Conclusions)
• USA.gov: US Virgin Islands
• uscitizenpod: U.S. Citizenship Resources for Caribbean American Heritage Month
• VI: Government of the United States Virgin Islands
• Wikipedia: Elections in the United States Virgin Islands