In this week’s installment of our Summer of Nostalgia series, we dive into the last four episodes from Under the Blue Umbrella.
From learning about maps and the importance of following rules to exploring the historic landmarks of Washington, D.C., and understanding the symbolism behind the American flag, these episodes offer valuable lessons in geography, civics, and history.
113 - Questions and Answers: Maps (1977)
This program is about a gameshow called "Questions and Answers." The question in the show is about maps. It answers what a map is, what is on a map, who uses a map, how to use a map, and how you can make a map on your own.
114 - What’s Wrong (1977)
This episode explores the purpose of rules in the world and why it is important to follow them. It centers around a young girl who gets into trouble in school for not following the rules. Her mother then picks her up from school and tells her daughter that it is important that she follow the rules. After her mother picks her up, they go out to run some errands and when they get back to their car, they notice they have gotten a ticket because their meter ran out. The young girl tells her mother that it looks like she broke the rules, and she agrees.
Afterwards, they go to a baseball game where the young girl’s brother is playing. When they arrive, the mother parks at a “No Parking Any Time” spot. Because of this, the young girl tells her mother that she is breaking the rules by parking there. At first, the mother tried convincing the young girl that it is fine if they park there because they will only be there for a little bit, but the young girl persists, and her mother eventually moves the car to a different spot.
Later that day, the young girl has a dream in which she lives in a world with no rules. In this dream, she sees cars almost getting into accidents because there are no stop signs, as well as a robber getting away, and because there is no law, cops cannot stop him. Because of this dream, the young girl realizes the importance of having rules/laws and why we must follow them.
115 - Washington, D.C: A Special City (1977)
Michael and his mom are taking Stephanie and her dad, who are from Taiwan, on a tour of Washington, D.C.
Michael explains that government offices are located here, along with the U.S. Capitol. He points out that Congress has their offices in the Capitol, and they visit the Rotunda. He discusses the President and the White House. They visit the Bureau of Engraving and Printing to see where money is printed. They go to the Department of State and see an Embassy building. They see the Smithsonian Institution. They go to the National Archives and the Washington Monument. They see the Jefferson Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial, and Arlington National Cemetery. They visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and Mount Vernon, and discuss some of the history of our country's first President, George Washington.
116 - It’s A Grand Old Flag (1977)
This episode focuses on the flag of the United States of America (USA), its history, and all of the themes that it represents. The current flag of the USA has thirteen (13) stripes with each stripe representing one of the original thirteen colonies, and it also has fifty (50) stars with each star representing one of the current fifty (50) states of the USA. The flag is also comprised of the colors of red, white, and blue. The episode states that when people see the flag, they think of the United States of America. The program goes on to explain how the flag represents several themes, such as freedom, liberty, justice, and the pursuit of happiness. The episode also ties in several historical artifacts with these themes, such as the Declaration of Independence, the Liberty Bell, the Statue of Liberty, and the national anthem of the USA, the "Star-Spangled Banner."
To view all 16 programs, visit Under the Blue Umbrella.
