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

250 to 250: 35. Patsy Mink, Narrated by Senator Mazie Hirono

 

 

Heather Cox Richardson and 250 to 250: Patsy Mink, Narrated by Senator Mazie Hirono

Senator Mazie K. Hirono of Hawaii was the first elected female senator from her state and the first Asian-American woman elected to the U.S. Senate. Senator Hirono shares the legacy of U.S. Representative Patsy Mink, who fought tirelessly for gender equality in American education.

Patsy Mink was born in Hawaii when it was a U.S. territory.

• She was the granddaughter of Japanese immigrants.
• She became the first Asian American woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.
• She believed that education helps create equal opportunities.

Patsy Mink worked to make schools fair for everyone.

• She helped write Title IX.
• Title IX became law in 1972.
• The law prohibits discrimination based on sex in schools and colleges that receive federal money.
• Title IX gave more girls and women equal opportunities in education and sports.
• Patsy Mink worked for equal rights throughout her life.
• After her death in 2002, Congress renamed the law the Patsy T. Mink Equal Opportunity in Education Act.
• Today, Patsy Mink is remembered as a leader for equal rights and education.

POP Interview and Civics Quiz:

• N-400 Part 2:05: Are you male or female?
• USCIS 100:16. Who makes federal laws?
• USCIS 100:23. / 128:28. Name your U.S. representative. 
• USCIS 128:10. Name two important ideas from the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.

Family Fun:

• LOC: Patsy Takemoto Mink’s Title IX Legacy
• National Archives: The 50th Anniversary of Title IX 
• NMAH: We Belong Here (Title IX online exhibit)
• U.S. Mint: Coin Classroom: Patsy Mink quarter coloring page
• USPS: Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Title IX

250 to 250: 34. Special Olympics, Narrated by Maria Shriver

 

Heather Cox Richardson and Maria Shriver: Special Olympics, Narrated by Maria Shriver

Maria Shriver is a Peabody and Emmy Award-winning journalist and producer, a bestselling author, and former First Lady of California. She is the founder of the Women's Alzheimer's Movement at Cleveland Clinic and The Sunday Paper, and the co-founder of MOSH. Shriver tells how her mother, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, inspired by her sister Rosemary, founded the Special Olympics movement from a backyard camp built on dignity and inclusion.

The Special Olympics:

• Rosemary Kennedy was born in 1918.
• At that time, people with intellectual disabilities often faced unfair treatment.
• Eunice Kennedy Shriver wanted to help people like her sister Rosemary.
• In 1962, she started Camp Shriver in her backyard.
• Camp Shriver later became the Special Olympics.
• Volunteers helped make the program grow.
• Special Olympics gives people with intellectual disabilities a chance to play sports.
• It also provides health care, education, jobs, leadership training, and family support.
• Today, millions of people around the world take part in Special Olympics.
• The program teaches dignity, inclusion, courage, and friendship.
• The Special Olympics athlete oath says, "Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt."
• Special Olympics shows that everyone deserves respect and the chance to succeed.

POP Interview and Civics Quiz:

• USCIS PM-602-0188: Do you take part in your community or do volunteer work in the United States?
• USCIS 100:55. What are two ways that Americans can participate in their democracy?
• USCIS 128:69. What are two examples of civic participation in the United States?

Family Fun:

• 2026 Special Olympic Games 
• Best Buddies: Take Action
• Helps people with intellectual and developmental disabilities build friendships, work, and live full lives.  Founded by Eunice Kennedy Shriver.
• NPI: Portrait of Eunice Kennedy Shriver by David Lenz
• Postal Museum: Special Olympics Stamps 1| 2 | 3 |
• Special Olympics: USA Games 2026 coloring book
• Special Olympics: Finess Through Sports Playbook
• Special Olympics: Unified Young Readers Club Guide
• Special Olympics: Special Olympics and Paralympics
• Special Olympics: Volunteer Opportunities | Volunteer Resources | 
• Special Olympics Northern California (google Speical Olympics in your local area)