Friday, November 11, 2011

 Largest history lesson: 3rd-graders set world record (Video)

ANAHEIM, CA, USA -- Angel Stadium was turned into the world's largest outdoor classroom as more than 15,000 Orange County, Calif. third-grade students gathered for the largest-ever history lesson, according to World Record Academy (www.worldrecordacademy.com).

  ( enlarge photo )

  The previous Guinness world record for the Largest history lesson was 1,198 students, set earlier this year in England.

Guinness World Records also recognized the world record for the largest sports lesson, achieved by 988 employees of the Pierre & Vacances Center Parcs Group from across Europe at Sunparks Kempense Meren in Mol, Belgium .

  The goal of the Gift of History event, sponsored by the Disneyland Resort and Angels Baseball among many others, was to get the third graders excited about learning Orange County history.

  This wasn't your typical history lesson. Students were treated to a Disney-produced show that included music and video on the stadium's big screen.

  City council member Gail Eastman is the driving force behind the "Gift of History" program, and was the person who did the majority of the organizing for the event. She has written a children's history of Anaheim called "Anna's Home by the River."

  Bill Habermehl, superintendent of Orange County schools encouraged students to stay excited about history and keep studying. They all received a backpack and a copy of Oftelie's book, "Nothing Rhymes with Orange," which details local historical figures such as James Irvine, Walter Knott and Philip Stanton.