Inauguration
When Barack Obama takes the oath of office on January 20, 2009, it will mark the 56th time that a U.S. president has been sworn in for a four-year term since 1789, when George Washington first took the same oath.

WIN BOOKS by President-elect Barack Obama

Send us a short essay describing how you spent election night and win copies of President-elect Barack Obama’s books. We will choose from all entries and send books to 5 lucky winners. classroom@usembassy.de

New Administration
Roughly two weeks before his inauguration, Barack Obama has already taken numerous steps to prepare for his presidency. The President-elect has filled nearly all of the major posts in his new administration.

Martin Luther King, Jr.
On January 19, Americans will observe Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, an annual federal holiday that commemorates the life and work of the American civil rights leader .

Literature: David Jerome Salinger
On January 1, J. D. Salinger turned 90. There probably wasn’t a party, and if there was his readers will never know.
“J. D. Salinger remains well known for a single novel: The Catcher in the Rye, which was hailed as "brilliant" upon its publication in 1951.” (Authors and Artists for Young Adults, v36, Gale Group, 2000)

Introducing Interesting Websites for Your Classroom
USA Learns * Shmoop * Thinkfinity

In Focus: Alaskans Celebrate 50 Years of Statehood : When U.S. Secretary of State William H. Seward engineered the purchase of Alaska from Russia in 1867, people called the decision “Seward’s Folly.”

America.gov: Photo Gallery: Life After the Presidency
Former presidents have rebuilt homes, helped the sick and served as conflict mediators. Some even moved to other roles in U.S. government, including two who served in Congress and another who became chief justice of the Supreme Court.

NEW * NEW * NEW

Barack Obama, elected the 44th President of the U.S., has lived a truly American life, and has opened a new chapter in American politics. This publication tells the story of his life, describes how he captured the presidency, and portrays his vision for the future.

The first teacher to get back to us with a short message to classroom@usembassy.de will receive a set of 20 print copies of the publication for classroom use.