Last weekend the new film "300" - which graphically portrays the famous battle at Thermopylae - drew large crowds.  Many people are asking follow-up questions:  "How accurate is the movie?  What should we know about the actual battle, where it was fought and who was involved?"

This web site provides the story behind the movie "300" and the battle of Thermopylae. http://www.awesomestories.com/movies/300_story/300_story_ch1.htm  It includes links to primary sources, explanatory animations, on-line games from the British Museum (illustrating how Spartan children were educated and how Greeks operated trireme ships), plus much more.   

Tomorrow is St. Patrick's Day.  Who was St. Patrick?  How did we end up with a holiday commemorating his life?  This link provides some information and highlights other "March" stories.  http://www.awesomestories.com/Newsletters/March%20Highlights%20and%20New%20Stories.htm

Group access to the site is free for all schools, libraries, ESL classes and educators.  Request group access with this form.  https://www.awesomestories.com/signup.php?ua=group_signup   It is also free, through April, for individual students, library patrons and members of the general public.  Select an individual password with this form.  https://www.awesomestories.com/signup.php?ua=individual_signup  The site's privacy policy http://www.awesomestories.com/content/privacy.shtml is strictly enforced.

Carole Bos
Dean's Advisory Board
Grand Valley State University
bosc at gvsu.edu