This troublesome matter is easily mastered when the child understands
the use of the number code as given in the book on Memory. This
principle can be applied in every case. As a rule, the century in which
the date occurs is not confusing, and the effort can be confined to
the particular year. For example, in order to remember the date of the
Battle of Bunker Hill, it is only necessary to remember '75, for the
year, as every student will know that it was in 1775 and not 1875, or
1675.
A boy twelve years of age learned more history dates in one week after
knowing how to use the Number Code than he had learned in weeks before.
The knowledge of how to visualize the lesson and how to remember the
dates will overcome any prejudice or any difficulty which the child may
have with history lessons.
The following are samples of how the Number Code has been applied to
remembering history dates:
Landing of the English at Jamestown, 1607. During the first year
there was much sickness and the word SICK is '07. The picture of the
Jamestown settlers "sick on the beach" will fix the year in mind.
The following dates were in one lesson, and are the word-pictures which
a child used in remembering them. Marquette and Joliet explored the
Mississippi River in 1673. The word COMB is '73. They were "combing"
the river.
LaSalle reached the mouth of the Mississippi River in 1682. He planted
the French flag and had a celebration. FUN is '82, they had fun when
they planted the flag.
New Orleans was settled by Bienville in 1718. He had a hard time
finding a good place for the city, TOUGH (tuf) is '18, they had a tough
time.
Washington and the Virginian troops drove the French troops from Fort
DuQuesne in 1754. He drove them from their LAIR, '54.
General Braddock was defeated and killed in 1755. He was buried in the
woods of Pennsylvania. '55 is LILY, see a lily on his grave.
Some other examples follow: Alaska was purchased in 1867. 18 may be
DOVE and '67 CHECK, a picture of a DOVE flying to Russia with the
CHECK. Or if you prefer you can use the two words, STOVE-SHACK, or
TOUGH-JOKE, it was a tough joke on Russia to sell it for so little.
The Battle of Bunker Hill was June 17th, 1775. This can be remembered
by the association SHOOTING KILL. Sh is 6; TING is 17; KILL is '75.
6-17-'75 is the date and it is in the two words SHOOTING KILL, which is
easily remembered with Bunker Hill.
The Battle of Bull Run, July 21st, '61. This is 7-21-'61. CAN'T SHOOT
(because they ran so fast they couldn't shoot) and the two words CAN'T
SHOOT stand for 7-21-'61.
Peary reached the North Pole April 6th, 1909. This can be represented
by URGES UP. This is 4-6-'09. He urges his men up to the pole.
Panama Canal was officially opened August 15th, 1914. This is 8-15-'14.
VITAL DOOR will represent these numbers. The canal is a VITAL DOOR
between the two great oceans.
Examples of the dates of the reigns of the English kings at the end of
feudalism. The War of Roses.
Order of Reign. Code Words.
1--Henry IV 1399-1413 Tie--Henry--hear, them pipe--their
doom.
2--Henry V 1413-1422 Snow--Henry--lie, to redeem--true
nun.
3--Henry VI 1422-1461 Home--Henry--show, true
nun to our chateau.
4--Edward IV 1461-1483 Wire--Edward--hear, a deer
shout their fame.
5--Edward V 1483 Wheel--Edward--hail, true
fame.
6--Richard II 1483-1485 Sash--Richard--no, true fame--dare
fail.
Here the Code word TIE stands for I, the first king--Henry hear, for
Henry fourth; "them pipe" is 1399; "their doom" is 1413. The whole can
easily be visualized into a picture of Henry using the TIE to make an
ear trumpet to HEAR THEM PIPE THEIR DOOM. A peculiar idea, perhaps, but
it will accomplish the purpose. Use the same plan for other similar
lists and make strong picture associations and they will aid you
greatly. They can be recalled when the numbers can not.
The following are examples of dates of Greek and Roman History:
Draco codifies Laws of Athens, 621. Joined--He joined the laws.
Peloponnesian War, 431-404. Remote--Razor.
Corinthian War, 395-387. Mabel--Moving.
Alexander King of Macedonia, 336-323. May homage--My name.
Founding of Rome, 753-(?). Column.
Rome supreme in Italy, 264. New Chair.
Sack of Rome by the Gauls, 390. Mobs.
Great Latin War, 340-338. Mars--May move.
Peace between Rome and Carthage, 201. Nice Tie.
Julian Emperors, 27 B. C.-41 A. D. INK Bottle Can--RIDE After Dark.
Claudian and Flavian Emperors, 41-96. Red--Badge.
Good Emperors, 96-180. Push--Thieves.
Invasion of Barbarians, 337-376. May make--My cash.
Charles the Great crowned Emperor of the Romans, 800 Vices.