250 to 250:108. Route 66, Narrated by Ted Widmer

Heather Cox Richardson and 250 to 250: Route 66, Narrated by Ted Widmer

Professor Ted Widmer is a prominent American historian, award-winning historical author, and the former foreign policy speechwriter and senior Advisor to President Bill Clinton. Widmer travels the history of Route 66, the iconic "Main Street of America" that carried Depression migrants, wartime troops, and postwar dreamers across the country.

Route 66 opened in 1926.

• It was an important highway across the United States.
• It was more than 2,400 miles long.
• It went from Chicago, Illinois, to Santa Monica, California.
• It passed through eight states.

Route 66 became a symbol of hard times and new hope.

• During the Great Depression, many people traveled west to find work.
• During World War II, the military used Route 66 to move soldiers and equipment.
• After the war, many families used it to travel and move west.
• New interstate highways later replaced Route 66.
• Route 66 officially closed as a U.S. highway in 1985.
• Today, historic Route 66 is a popular tourist attraction and a symbol of American travel.

POP Interview and Civics Quiz:

• N-400 Part 8:01. Have you taken a trip outside of the United States in the last 5 years?
• USCIS 100:89. What ocean is on the West Coast of the United States?
• USCIS 128:103. What was the Great Depression?
• Read: What do people in America want?                                | Why did people come to California?
• Write: People in America want to work and live in freedom.  | People came to California for work.

Family Fun:

• 141fumi: Route 66 : Nat King Cole : with Lyrics
• American Writers Museum: Route 66: The Writing of an American Icon
• Main Street of America: Route 66: The Main Street of America (new film--in theaters Sept 2026; streaming available soon)
• NMAH: The People's Highway: Route 66, 1930s-1940s
• NPS: Route 66
• OMCA: Dorthea Lange Digital Archives: On the Road
• PBS: Mapping the Mother Road | The Neon Road | Samantha Brown NM, AZ, CA 
• Route 66 The Untold Story: website | YouTube channel | Story Map (outstanding!)
• uscitizenpod: Route 66 coloring page
• VOA Learning English: Learning English on U.S. Route 66! playlist | stories
• VOX: Why Route 66 became America’s most famous road
• Wikipedia: List of Route 66 Museums

On a personal note, my students and I miss Voice of America and VOA Learning English every single day.  #SAVEVOA