The 8th Grade Social Studies class is called “Our Modern World’” and throughout the year the students in that class will trace the roots of the present through the 20th Century. Students in that class are often asked to offer personal reflections that typically lead to robust conversations about the world in which we live. To start the year, students were asked to reflect on their first memory of a major world event. As an example, I share mine, which to them is like ancient history. My earliest memory of a world event was the Iran Hostage Crisis. I recall watching the evening news with my father, and each day a counter registered the number of days that the hostages had been in captivity.

It just so happens that as we discussed the 8th Graders reflections, a major world event occurred, in the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. I would imagine that for many, the Queen’s passing will register as their first memory of a world event, as her impact is internationally significant. In fact, when discussing her reign, I noted that the Queen had a front row seat for many of the formative historic events that impact our modern world.

In the coming days, it is entirely likely that the media will inundate us with news related to the British monarchy and such, but there is certainly something noteworthy about the incredible longevity of Queen Elizabeth’s rule and how much the world has changed since her coronation in 1953.