Because today is St. Patrick's Day, educators and their students may be thinking about Irish history.  One of Ireland's pivotal events was the loss of its potato crop in the mid-nineteenth century.  To this day, Ireland has not recovered from the loss of its people - through immigration and death - caused by the "potato famine."  Students can learn what happened with primary sources from the Irish National Archives and from contemporary drawings/newspapers.  http://www.awesomestories.com/disasters/great_hunger/great_hunger_ch1.htm  

The website http://www.awesomestories.com/ is free for all educators, schools and libraries.  Simply request an academic membership with this sign-up form.  http://www.awesomestories.com/group_signup.php  

Carole Bos
Grand Valley State University
Dean's Advisory Board