SCHOOL TRIPS: History & politics in the US

History and politics students enjoyed a fascinating US trip, taking in both New York city and Washington DC, and walking 100,000 steps each in the process. JUDI FELL reports on their action-packed itinerary. See our photo gallery, below

YEARS 12 and 13 history and politics students hit the ground running when they arrived in New York to enjoy a stunning cityscape from the Empire State Building, viewing the Statue of Liberty in glorious sunshine.

They joined in a soccer (football) game in Central Park, before heading to see the Mets defeat the Cardinals in a tense and exciting game, won in style in the 9th & final inning. Staying just off Times Square, they saw just how busy the ‘city that never sleeps’ really is!

Students went on to visit a key site from the American Civil War. The Gettysburg battlefield tour gave great insight into the battlefield decisions faced by Confederate General Robert E Lee and Union General George G Meade, as well as the experience of the troops and residents of Gettysburg. Some of the students were so impressed with the original artillery pieces from the battle that they re-enacted a scene from the cannon bombardment immediately before Pickett’s charge.

They later enjoyed a quick pit stop at the White House before dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe and an evening walking tour of some key sites such as Ford’s Theatre, where Abraham Lincoln was assassinated, and sites around the National Mall including the Washington Monument and the Lincoln memorial. 

During their trip, they also visited the truly fantastic National Museum of African American History & Culture, followed by some well-deserved free time to take advantage of the wonderful and varied museums and galleries of the Smithsonian along the National Mall. Some opted for the Museum of American History, while the Natural History Museum also proved popular; others enjoyed the Botanic Gardens. 

Everyone enjoyed a late afternoon walk around the memorials of the National Mall commemorating US presidents Jefferson, Lincoln and F.D. Roosevelt and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, as well as the Korean War memorial and the wonderfully evocative Martin Luther King memorial. 

Day five began with a fascinating visit to George Washington’s ancestral home at Mount Vernon, where students gained an insight into the life of the USA’s first president and his family, but also of the hundreds of enslaved African-Americans who lived and worked in the house and adjoining farms and workshops. 

This was followed by a visit to the Arlington National Cemetery, built on the estate of Washington’s step-grandson, later home to the Confederate General Robert E Lee. 

Students had the opportunity to visit the tombs of key figures such as John F Kennedy and his wife Jackie, Ruth Bader Ginsberg, Thurgood Marshall as well as witnessing the highly stylised changing of the guard ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. 

At the end of the day, they headed to Fashion Centre Mall for some retail therapy.

On the last day of the trip, which was also the hottest, students and staff were grateful for the cool in the National Archives to see the original Declaration of Independence, US Constitution and Bill of Rights; unfortunately they couldn’t go into the Supreme Court as the court was in session, but the protests outside highlighted just how significant a part of the US political system the judiciary, and the Supreme Court in particular, really is. 

The tour of the Capitol gave students a glimpse into the inner workings of the legislative branch of US government and although they were not allowed into the chambers of either the Senate or the House, the rotunda was spectacular. 

Finally, they were ready to head home now after having walked over 100,000 steps over the course of the trip!