The history of our nation is deeply tied to immigration, whether forced or voluntary.
All generations need to pass on the knowledge they inherit from their families. They must have all the stories about their past, so their children understand their roots and embrace their identity. By focusing on their real history, rather than media characterizations of their heritage, they will have something of value to offer those who come after them.
Ancestors of all Americans came here from diverse locations, so we all have immigrant roots. These experiences can be shared through legacy stories. Legacy stories acknowledge that heritage and culture are rich aspects of personal and group identity. The actions, accomplishments and contributions recorded in these stories afford future generations knowledge, insight and inspiration. Using storytelling to communicate about ethnicity and culture broadens understanding, increases tolerance and heightens acceptance. Legacy stories also contribute to the telling of our nation’s history and are a key element in a comprehensive social studies education.
Using a Web-based tool, Americans All encourages people to record, share and archive legacy stories to demonstrate their ethnic, cultural and/or civic pride for the benefit of family, friends, associates and future generations. We invest more than half of our membership revenue to promote storytelling for legacy preservation and to improve K–12 social studies instruction at no cost to schools.
Legacy stories are published and listed alphabetically by their last name on our Web-based Heritage Honor Roll. These stories also appear on the Americans All home pages of our Legacy Partners. Legacy Partners are groups, businesses and organizations that honor and respect diversity in their membership and support our education mission. Included in the Heritage Honor Roll and home pages are legacy stories about immigrants who helped shape America and their descendants who continue to do so. These stories are sometimes shared in multiple languages and can be included in more than one Legacy Partner home page.
For example, to learn about the contributions of Irish men and women, visit the Americans All Heritage Honor Roll and these Legacy Partner homepages:
Irish Immigrants Who Helped Shape America (www.americansall.org/node/564822)
Irish Americans' Contributions to Our Nation (www.americansall.org/node/564857)
Irish Americans: Members of the Ancient Order of Hibernians (www.americansall.org/node/564823)
Register for Americans All and begin creating your story Now! Your unwritten legacy story today needs to be part of tomorrow's history.
Click here to view program videos.
Click here to view our program overview.
Click here to register for Americans All so you can create and share a legacy story and receive program benefits.
Click here to see how your group can become a Legacy Partner.