“The Miracle Worker,” and “The Star Spangled Banner,” - This Day in History – Mar 3rd

The “Miracle worker,” changes Keller’s life forever

Back in 1887, a special relationship in the “vibration of the spoken word,” as quoted by teacher, Anne Sullivan began with her pupil and constant companion, six-year-old Helen Keller.  Ms. Keller was unable to speak or hear due to a childhood illness since the age of 19 months.  Some people have speculated that the illness was scarlet fever.  Ms. Sullivan, found ways to communicate with Ms. Keller and became her interpreter and was dubbed, “The Miracle Worker.”  

According to history.com, “Sullivan, age 20, arrived at Ivy Green, the Keller family estate, in 1887 and began working to socialize her wild, stubborn student and teach her by spelling out words in Keller's hand. Initially, the finger spelling meant nothing to Keller. However, a breakthrough occurred one day when Sullivan held one of Keller's hands under water from a pump and spelled out "w-a-t-e-r" in Keller's palm. Keller went on to learn how to read, write and speak. With Sullivan's assistance, Keller attended Radcliffe College and graduated with honors in 1904. Helen Keller became a public speaker and author; her first book, "The Story of My Life" was published in 1902. She was also a fundraiser for the American Foundation for the Blind and an advocate for racial and sexual equality, as well as socialism. From 1920 to 1924, Sullivan and Keller even formed a vaudeville act to educate the public and earn money. Helen Keller died on June 1, 1968, at her home in Westport, Connecticut, at age 87, leaving her mark on the world by helping to alter perceptions about the disabled.”

"The Star-Spangled Banner" becomes USA’s National Anthem

Back in 1831, a composer Francis Scott Key wrote the lyrics to the song "The Star Spangled Banner," that would become approved by President Herbert Hoover as the United State’s National Anthem. 

According to history.com, “Throughout the 19th century, "The Star-Spangled Banner" was regarded as the national anthem by most branches of the U.S. armed forces and other groups, but it was not until 1916, and the signing of an executive order by President Woodrow Wilson, that it was formally designated as such. In March 1931, Congress passed an act confirming Wilson's presidential order, and on March 3 President Hoover signed it into law.”

All History facts provided from the link below:

http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/helen-keller-meets-her-miracle-worker