Spring History Writing Prompts

971. Geoffrey Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales, which was set during a spring pilgrimage, was one of the great early contributions to English literature, written in the late 1300s. What are some words you use today that would not have been around over 700 years ago? Do you think you'd have a tough time talking to people who lived back then? Why or why not?

972. The first spring training, a two-month out-of-town training period in which players try out for Major League Baseball teams, started in the spring of 1870 in New Orleans. Imagine that you started the first two months of school touring around the country. Where would you want to go and why? What might you learn during your city-by-city tour?

973. The tradition of spring cleaning may have started with ancient Jewish, Chinese, and Iranian cultures cleaning for various holidays and traditions. What are some other traditions in your household that might have started hundreds or thousands of years ago? How would it be different to do those chores before electricity and why?

974. Spring break is a wild and crazy time for people in high school and college, and the most recent tradition may have stemmed from the city of Fort Lauderdale starting a College Coaches' Swim Forum in 1938. What is the largest party you've ever been to? Did you enjoy it? Why or why not?

975. In the spring of 1912, the RMS Titanic, a ship carrying thousands of people, ran into an iceberg at full speed and sank. The crew had received warnings of the icy waters but failed to listen. Why do you think it's important to listen when someone gives you advice? Have you ever failed to listen to important advice? What happened and why?

976. The word April means "to open." What are some of the things that open during April? If you could open a new shop or business during the spring, what would it be and why?

977. The first Kentucky Derby was run in the spring of 1875. Create a conversation between two thoroughbred horses getting ready to compete in the biggest event in their lives. Would they be scared? Why or why not?

978. March Madness, a spring college basketball tournament with 68 teams competing for first place, expanded from eight teams in 1939, to 64 in 1985, to 68 in 2011. Imagine that you played for the last place in the tournament. What would you feel like going against the toughest team in the nation? Would you have a chance of winning? Why or why not?

979. Before the Gregorian Calendar was introduced, April 1 used to be part of the new year celebration. When it changed to January 1 in France in the 1580s, some people didn't believe it and were labeled "April fools." Imagine that someone told you something you couldn't believe. What would it be? Why wouldn't you believe it?

980. The first Mother's Day was celebrated in 1914 and quickly became about cards, gifts and other commercial practices. Do you think gifts and other tangible items are necessary on Mother's Day? Why or why not?