Students in 9th grade history have been learning about imperialism. They have learned how the United States annexed Hawaii. Even today, there are many groups who seek Hawaiian Independence.
Queen Liliuokalani was the last queen of Hawaii. She was born in 1838 into the Hawaiian royal family. She took the throne in 1891. The United States had earlier forced a constitution, which was nicknamed the "Bayonet Constitution." When she attempted to write a new constitution, she was arrested and placed in Iolani Palace. In 1895, she was forced to give up her throne.
The memories of Queen Lil and Hawaiian independence are a bittersweet story. She composed the Hawaiian anthem, Aloha "oe" which is a very popular song. It originally means the goodbye of a sweetheart, but it is very symbolic of the loss of the Hawaiian islands to American influence.
Queen Lil never forgot her country. She is still considered "our Queen" in Hawaii. She died in 1917, at the age of 79.
Many 9th grade students have been been to Hawaii. I even have a few students, from time to time, who have Hawaiian ancestry--which is a cool heritage to have.
