Do you know the stories behind stars? Behind the constellations and stars, there are many strange and captivating myths to explain them. Consistently the myths that all cultures tell, which have been passed down for generations, are still told to this day. People love these stories because they are all so magical. Orion was a confident hunter. The Great Bear is about a mother’s love, and the Milky Way has many myths.
     Orion, which is now a constellation, was once a talented hunter when he was alive. Orion is one of the seventeen constellations named after a mythical character. Orion was the son of Poseidon, so he could walk on water. He was strong and handsome. Interestingly, there are many guesses on how Orion died, but no one is sure. In the first version he announced that he would hunt every animal on earth. Gaia (Mother Earth) got furious because she loves all the animals, so she hung him up in the sky. The second version is that when he was Artemis’s friend, her brother Apollo shot him with an arrow. Even though Orion was uniquely skilled, he still ended up as a constellation.
     The Great Bear is a constellation that has a very weird story behind it. Its tail is the Big Dipper. In Latin Ursa Major means “Great Bear.” Once there was a young woman named Callisto, who was married to Zeus. Zeus already had a wife, who was a goddess named Hera. Callisto and Zeus had a son named Arcas. Hera had found out quickly and turned Callisto into a bear because she was jealous. When Arcas was hunting, he almost shot Callisto. Fortunately, nothing happened to her. When Arcas found out that the bear was his mother, he was so upset. Gently Zeus comforted him by hanging him and Callisto into the sky as constellations. Legend has it that he turned Arcas into a bear, too, and swung Arcas and Callisto by their tails, which stretched them so their tails were long and not stubby like the other bears. That is the unusual myth behind the Great Bear constellation.
     The Milky Way has many myths to explain its origin. Earth is in the Orion arm, which is one of the many arms of the Milky Way. One of its myths is that a god stole golden straw from an Assyrian king. On his way back, he clumsily dropped the straw, which formed the Milky Way. Another myth is that a girl threw embers into the sky because it was too dark. The embers became stars. They lit people’s way. Lastly, there is a myth about a boy named Tamarereti, who was lost. When he started a fire, he saw that pebbles reflected the flames. Tamarereti threw them into the sky and made the shining stars. The sky father rewarded him by throwing his canoe into the sky, which made the Milky Way. The myths are fascinating, and there are many myths to tell about the Milky Way.
     The Orion constellation is a unique one. The Great Bear’s story is unusual, and the Milky Way is fascinating. Stars are important. Safely they guide the way through the dark, which helps people return home when they travel. Around the world all cultures make up myths about the stars because they appreciate them.
 

     Do you ever wonder why we still talk about radio addresses from the 1940s? Imagine you are stuck in a British bomb shelter in your backyard in the middle of World War II. Because you know you need information, you have with you your trusty radio. You have also brought along a bunch of beans to stave off hunger and your pocket knife to open the cans. You are scared, and you anxiously wait to come out of the shelter as you hear the bombs falling. Suddenly, C.S. Lewis’s calm voice emanates from the radio. You have been waiting for this all day! His message gives you hope! On the later program, Winston Churchill tells you the truth about where he thinks the war is heading. Your spirits fall, but your trust for your Prime Minister is still strong. You repeat the exercise for more days than you can count. Along with Winston Churchill and C.S. Lewis, Franklin Delano Roosevelt chatted on the radio to the American population. Bringing new perspectives on similar topics which included the war, soldiers, and money, the three leaders presented different opinions formed by their individual experiences. Their speeches each evoked different responses and different results. Together the diversity of their presentations created a beautiful mosaic of rhetoric needed at that time in history.
     Three inspirational leaders during World War Two (WWII) helped their terribly war-battered homelands with simple radio addresses. Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR), Winston Churchill, and C.S. Lewis braved the airwaves. All three understood the power of words and used their speeches to inform, to calm, and to encourage the citizens of their countries. FDR discussed the banking crisis, the raging war in Europe, and America’s eventual joining of the war effort. According to Sarah Pruitt, “A single fireside chat could generate more than 450,000 cards, letters and telegrams.” Bravely, Winston Churchill tackled issues such as the money needed to fund the war effort, the soldiers in the trenches, and the malevolent Hitler. Knowing that he could help others, C.S. Lewis shared accessible insight with the British people on the Christian faith at a time when many people were struggling to grasp why God would let the world wars happen at all. They forged a path forward. Because of their bravery the trio aided their homelands in a time of darkness.
     Unsurprisingly, the radio addresses of the three men shared many similarities because their home countries faced the same problems at the same time and required the same care. During WWII, Churchill, FDR, and C.S. Lewis, who were all persuasive speakers, talked about the tirelessly raging war. They unpacked the cost of WWII, including both the paper cost and the human cost. Because all three men had gained firsthand wartime experience during WWI, they knew what the soldiers were facing. Caring very deeply, Churchill and Lewis spoke about America and their wartime experiences. Likewise, FDR chatted on the radio about Britain. They attempted and succeeded in transporting their listeners to the event that they were describing. They shared many similarities.
     The impact of these radio addresses cannot be understated. Richard Toye offered this commentary: “When Churchill had no new information to give—and of course he could not find it infallibly—disappointment was often the result.” With his accurate predictions came general depression, but the average citizen’s trust still remained enormously high for Churchill. Toye also adds that “if they [the speeches] sometimes caused people to feel depressed, this was usually because of his accurate predictions.” C.S. Lewis’s talks aided the healing of depression, provided a new perspective on faith, and challenged the public’s thinking. This helped in many ways. As well as giving the people hope, it presented a sense of security that the British people owned the ability to grasp easily. The British population believed and trusted Churchill and C.S. Lewis. Amazingly, sixty million Americans heard FDR’s numerous Fireside Chats. These chats helped heal Americans from the Great Depression. Knowing America needed hope, he promised them that America owned a bright future and cast a vision for the country during its time of need. The trio earned their nations’ trust by helping them through many hardships. The importance of the radio addresses cannot be understated due to their impact.
     Hoping to make a difference in the world, FDR, Churchill, and C.S. Lewis, who shared many characteristics, spoke to their nations about many of the same topics during WWII. They were all compelling speakers. During their radio addresses, they communicated about many of the same concerns. Gladly the weary UK and USA accepted the radio addresses with listening ears. Like a plummeting meteor that collides with the earth, the three leaders’ impacts were seismic and set the tone for how the public faced the challenges of the day. When the people lost much of their hope, the addresses’ effects on the public became important barometers of the moods of the speakers’ countries. Today, the legacy of these men helps us approach the problems of the world around us with perseverance and not back away from challenges. The world is a better place because FDR, Churchill, and C.S. Lewis harnessed the power of words and inspired others to calm their minds and steel their nerves as they waited out the storm that was the dreadfully horrible WWII.

Bibliography

C.S. Lewis at War: The Dramatic Story Behind Mere Christianity. Focus on the Family,
     2013.
Daniel, Catie. “Ten Speeches That Changed America: FDR’s First Inaugural Address.”
     The Bipartisan Post.
Gilbert, Martin. Churchill: The Power of Words. Da Capo Press, 2013.
Leuchtenburg, William E. “Franklin D. Roosevelt: Impact and Legacy.” Rector and Visitors
     of the University of Virginia, 2021.
Overstreet, Jeffrey. “C.S. Lewis in World War II.” Seattle Pacific University, 2021.  
Pruitt, Sarah. “How FDR’s ‘Fireside Chats’ Helped Calm a Nation in Crisis,” The History
     Channel, A&E Television Networks, 2020.
Roosevelt, Franklin D. Fireside Chats of Franklin Delano Roosevelt: Radio Addresses to
     the American People 1933–1944. Red and Black Publishers, 1933.
Taylor, Justin. “75 Years Ago: C.S. Lewis Speaks to Britain about Christianity on the BBC -
     A Chronology.” TGC, 2016.
     www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/evangelical-history/75-years-ago-c-s-lewis-on-the-
     bbc-a-chronology.
Toye, Richard. The Roar of the Lion: The Untold Story of Churchill’s World War II
     Speeches. Oxford University Press, 2013.
Vander Elst, Philip. “The Relevance of C.S. Lewis.” bethinking, 2021.
     www.bethinking.org/apologetics/the-relevance-of-cs-lewis.

This essay used only the information in the Student Book, which does not require a bibliography for this super essay.

     “Faith dared the soul to go farther than it can see” (William Clark). Beginning in 1803, western expansion occurred in the United States when the American people began to move toward the Pacific Ocean. Because most of the population was concentrated in the lively cities east of the Appalachians, the people elected to travel west to spread out and hopefully amass a profit. They dreamed of new lives. The immigrants and American citizens moved west across the Missouri River into the plains and mountain regions, which was a treacherous journey. Typically, they traveled in wagon trains, trickling across the prairie to their land of promise. In 1803 President Thomas Jefferson initiated western expansion when he completed the Louisiana Purchase. Meriweather Lewis and William Clark contributed to western expansion by exploring and mapping the newly acquired land. 
     What could a person purchase with fifteen million dollars? When diplomatic ministers James Monroe and Robert Livingston traveled to France, they acquired the Louisiana Territory for the United States. They originally traveled to France to buy the city of New Orleans; however, they managed to acquire the land in a deal with Napoleon Bonaparte. They gained the land unexpectedly. Having only ten million dollars to spend, Monroe and Livingston were only supposed to purchase the bustling city, which was heavily used by the United States. In 1803 the French leader, Napoleon Bonaparte, instructed his minister to approach the U.S. envoys with the offer to sell all the land for $15 million because he required the money for war with England. Unsurprisingly, before the purchase of the Louisiana Territory there were many challenges with other countries. Despite the problems, the legacy achieved by the purchase greatly formed the United States. 
     There were many irksome challenges with the Louisiana Territory prior to the purchase as the colonies were growing. In 1762 the Louisiana Territory belonged to France before it was relinquished to Spain. Regaining the lost territory in 1800, Napoleon Bonaparte desired to create an empire in the unsettled land, which was worrisome to President Jefferson. Bonaparte recovered the land covertly. France was like a bully in the lunchroom because it would not allow the states to grow westward. Additionally the New Orleans port, which the United States used for trading, was in the territory France possessed. The United States government and citizens were frustrated because France would not permit shipments to pass through even though Spain previously allowed the use of the port. Although there were many irritating difficulties before the purchase of the Louisiana Territory, America dealt with them and received an amazing reward.
      The legacy of the Louisiana Purchase is considerable because it assisted in the expansion of the United States. Receiving innumerable shipments, the Port of New Orleans was one of the largest ports in the States, which helped make the United States a worldwide domination. When people settled the West, they discovered the abundant natural resources residing there that have aided the western states to become one of the most affluent regions. Without the purchase of the territory, it could have negatively impacted the Union in limiting expansion. Remarkably, the Louisiana Purchase assisted in the formation of political parties. It aided the economic state. The appreciable effects of the Louisiana Purchase have formed the United States.
     As a nascent nation the United States struggled with a variety of challenges prior to and following the Louisiana Purchase. In this instance the Union faced difficulties diplomatically and avoided war when France was being unfavorable. Wars were not always avoided. With the acquisition of the Louisiana Territory, a great legacy arose that helped form the United States. Shaping the United States, the Louisiana Purchase ameliorated political and economic problems, which the country might have experienced as it developed. Despite all the complications the most impactful consequence of the Louisiana Purchase was that it doubled the size of the United States in land. While the purchase allowed for the expansion and exploration of the West, it also relieved the Union’s booming population. The purchase also provided room for the many immigrants who arrived and wanted a new beginning. Effectively, the purchase enabled the country to prosper from the western states and their resources.
     They traveled seven thousand miles. It took two years. Almost everyone survived. In 1803 the Lewis and Clark expedition was commissioned by President Thomas Jefferson to explore the Louisiana Territory. Heading the mission, Lewis wisely selected Clark, who was an old friend, to accompany him as a partner. They formed the Corps of Discovery when they departed on the mission with forty-five people. Fortuitously, only one person died from a ruptured appendix during the arduous journey. While they were on the mission, Lewis and Clark faced many difficulties; however, they charted the West, which allowed information to be shared about the unexplored land. Considering all the problems they encountered, Lewis and Clark achieved many accomplishments and are honored as heroes.
    Bravely facing numerous trying difficulties, Lewis and Clark led an expedition westward from St. Louis to the Northwest. During the first part of the expedition as they traveled up the Missouri River, Lewis and Clark barely managed to navigate the river due to sandbanks and fallen trees. As they progressed up the river, their boats tipped when they hit rapids, nearly losing all their supplies and journals. They reached the Rocky Mountains. Traveling through the mountains, Lewis and Clark experienced severe hunger, resorting to the consumption of wild berries, roots, and shrubs to survive. Lewis and Clark reached Oregon just as winter arrived, which forced them to make a camp before they returned home the next year. In spite of the many taxing problems they encountered, Lewis and Clark persevered and mapped the new territory so others could travel west.
     With pioneering accomplishments Lewis and Clark paved the way for other explorers and settlers. Following the Missouri River, they located its origin and began to traverse the merciless, majestic Rocky Mountains. When they finished crossing the mountains, they completed their journey by traversing the remainder of the continent to the Pacific Ocean in 1805. Lewis and Clark patiently charted 140 maps, discovered 100 animal species, and described 176 plants. They confirmed alliances with Indians. Diligently, Lewis and Clark, who wrote their discoveries in journals, published them when they returned from their expedition. From all Lewis and Clark’s advanced accomplishments, they are hailed as heroes for courageously exploring the land. 
     Lewis and Clark continually encountered difficulties, which they faced with determination. Paving the way for settlers, Lewis and Clark explored the West, knowing their mission was dangerous and could be deadly. When they explored the new territory, they achieved many accomplishments. Those achievements allowed for people to boldly settle the West. Their bravery was undeniable. Of greatest significance was the mapping of the area that they explored. Advantageously, their maps and journals provided considerable scientific and geographic information because they were published. Without the maps and journals, anyone attempting to move westward would have been ignorant of the geography of the area and the animals and foliage residing there. 
     America expanded west. After President Thomas Jefferson finalized the Louisiana Purchase, westward expansion exploded. Predictably, the purchase was beneficial to the nation. Assisting this expansion, Lewis and Clark searched the uncharted land, which could have resulted in their deaths. They aided the developing country with their discoveries. The most important effect of westward expansion was that it helped America to become a superpower. The additional land provided much-needed room for growth with the influx of immigrants as they were searching for a new life. As the immigrants became successful farmers and industrialists, this furthered America’s growth as a global force. Because of westward expansion the nation benefited from the bountiful natural resources located in these western lands, which made the United States significantly richer. America became a superpower.

This assignment used only sources provided in the Student Book. No bibliography is required.

    As time grows old, there is one statement that has continued to be relevant throughout generations in social and political atmospheres: finders keepers. The world currently raises a hot debate regarding marine artifacts found by private companies: Do the artifacts belong to the country in which they were found or to the company? How can it be determined? Although countries would like their historical heritage to stay at home, many artifact ownership cases can be complicated and controversial. Belonging to many different people groups, some artifacts could technically be considered the world’s shared heritage. Without proper regulation of a country's desire for inherent possession, complex ownership cases can be disregarded and beneficial alternatives evaded, which defeats the purpose of countries’ ownership. Conversely the heritage of a country is deeply important to its citizens. Is it truly ethical to take away something when it is vital to a people group?
      By allowing private companies that are not even related to cultural artifacts to purchase them, the heritage of the original owners can deteriorate. Artifacts represent national pride to most countries that have a rich culture because they can illustrate their history. For example, in the early 1800s Lord Elgin pitilessly stripped the Parthenon in Greece of its marble statues and shipped them off to England. Hotly officials still debate about whether this transportation could be considered theft. Making matters worse, the majority of people who sell the artifacts are profiteering interests who could not care less about the ethnic significance of an artifact. Culture has value. Countries have the most responsibility to attempt to salvage their national heritage. While their ancestors may be dead, the value of their remnants remain alive and should be protected lest their heritage be lost.
       Although it can be contested that the cultural value of an object might deteriorate with new ownership, this stance is controversial. Some argue that artifacts which were created in one country can only be appreciated in their original setting. For example, some Greeks still claim despondently that they were unjustly robbed of the marble statues in the Parthenon. Opposingly, when placed in a museum, these artifacts are a refreshing benefit to any population. Can culture be shared and appreciated when no one can view the artifacts? It is only logical. Exhibiting their heritage in a foreign body, the nation of origin will only benefit through the increase of historical value across the world. While giving private companies ownership can be controversial, it is advantageous for countries to give the public access to some of their heritage.
    If this logic is used, it would be beneficial to the world for the finders of these artifacts to legally be the holders of them. After all, the items did not inherently belong to one group when they were created. Being repeatedly peddled and repurchased, the artifacts did not remain part of one culture for very long. Culture is not stagnant. Therefore, it is logical to allow private companies that find the artifacts to be the legal owners of them. Additionally, what incentive do archeologists have to keep their finds to themselves? Despite claims that artifacts must inherently belong to their origin nation, it is far more realistic to keep culture alive through the transfer of ownership.
    While the ownership of age-old artifacts remains highly disputed, the most important thing to keep in mind is that an idealistic solution is not realistic. Despite the fact that countries would like every artifact that was ever produced in their territory in order to preserve their culture, heritage does not simply deteriorate. Culture changes. Increased display of foreign artifacts in other countries often exponentially increases the historical value although this topic is debated. Logically, it would enhance all nations involved if the world’s heritage were shared and appreciated. After all, is that not why countries are interested in history? Allowing private companies, who are the ones that discover lost artifacts, to keep their finds, countries can entertain a realistic agenda and promote their history to the farthest corners of the earth.

     Consequences follow drivers everywhere. Whether they are driving to the grocery store or late for an important event, it is highly likely that their cell phone was in their hand at one time or another during the drive. Insanely inane individuals are ignorant to danger that is seemingly right in front of their nose. Texting while driving continues to end drivers’ lives on a regular basis. Why take that risk? “In a split second you could ruin your future, injure or kill others, and tear a hole in the heart of everyone who loves you,” stated Sharon Heit, mother of Alexander Heit, a student who perished behind the wheel while typing a text to a buddy. In most cases overconfidence clouds drivers’ judgment each time they get a notification on their phone, and they do not stop to ponder the emotional consequences of their actions. Although they believe it will only take a second, it could be their last. Texting while driving may seem quick and easy; however, the numerous dangers it presents to cautious and overconfident drivers alike is quite treacherous, such as the emotional consequences after an accident.
     Texting while driving is exceedingly dangerous, putting many in perilous situations on a daily basis. In 2018 the CDC recorded that about 2,800 people had perished in texting accidents, and nearly 400,000 were severely injured by them. Shockingly, “[a]t 55 miles per hour, sending or reading a text is like driving the length of a football field with your eyes closed” (“Distracted Driving”). This is quite accurate. Although many believe a hasty glance at their cell phone will not affect their life, it could mean the difference of getting to their destination or not. “An astounding 69% of drivers (aged 18-64) in the U.S. admitted to using their cell phone while driving. … Compare this to a European low of 29% in the United Kingdom or 59% in Portugal” (Helbock). Severe danger blatantly unveils itself every single time drivers reach for their phone while they are driving. Arriving late to an event, people who text while they are driving put themselves and others in extreme danger. Many people choose to participate in texting while driving, causing the roads to be ever so dangerous.
     By dangerously using a phone while driving, drivers cause their own brains to slow reactions, which leads to more accidents and emotional consequences afterwards. Evidently, “[d]riving and cell phones don’t mix,” but how much do they affect the driver in reality (“Driven to Distraction”)? Research voraciously exhibits “that when drivers use cell phones, whether hand-held or hands-off, their attention to the road drops and driving skills become even worse than if they had too much to drink” (“Driven to Distraction”). Suppose, hypothetically, an accident happened. Caused by someone who was texting behind the wheel, this fatal accident that did not kill the driver will no doubt cause them emotional injury because a passenger or a fellow driver perished. Because of this, people may not have a desire to drive again, but at the same time, a hard lesson would be learned about using their scanty attention span. As stated by David Strayer of the Applied Cognition Laboratory at the University of Utah, “Human attention has a limited capacity, and studies suggest that talking on the phone causes a kind of ‘inattention blindness’ to the driving scene” (“Driven to Distraction”). If someone uses a phone while driving, it causes his brain to slow reactions, leading to many accidents and emotional consequences.
     Many people are overconfident in using their phones while they are behind the wheel, but this causes a huge issue for everyone on the road. Although most people are confident that they can use a phone and drive, the most experienced drivers can still be “zombie motorists” (Weisberg). Mainly, “people overestimate their ability to multitask,” causing the driver to make errors that they are unaware of while they are sitting behind the wheel (Weisberg). This is quite harmful. What if an accident happens? What if someone perishes? Overly confident that they can multitask, drivers remove their brains from concentrating on surveilling the road and place themselves in a completely different mindset while trying to focus on both, which will unquestionably not work. Correspondingly, “[e]ven when we are looking, we don’t perceive it as well when we are not distracted. We are seeing, but not perceiving” (Holzwarth). In the end the drastic danger for drivers to expeditiously snatch a peak at their phone is as risky as driving through deep mud blindfolded. When overconfident people use their phones while driving, it creates a massive issue for everyone else on the road.
     Many overweening drivers are negligent not to realize the importance of silencing their phones while they are driving. Some people may use hands-free options, but it is no use. Danger presents itself either way. Although it may be simple for drivers to reach for their phones and text while driving, both hubristic and heedful drivers introduce themselves and others to numerous dangers, sometimes causing accidents that bring about many emotional consequences. Most importantly, drivers need to put down their cell phones and keep their eyes on the road and hands on the wheel. If not, horrid events could quite possibly take place. An accident that could have been prevented if they had simply followed the law would cause distressing emotional reverberations. Drivers are caught by consequences.

Bibliography

“Consequences of Distracted Driving.” 2022, Hg.org,
     www.hg.org/legal-articles/consequences-of-distracted-driving-35259.
“Distracted Driving.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2 Mar. 2021,
     www.cdc.gov/transportationsafety/distracted_driving/index.html.
“Distracted Driving.” NHTSA,
     www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/distracted-driving#the-issue-consequences.
“Driven to Distraction.” American Psychological Association, 6 Feb. 2006,
     www.apa.org/research/action/drive.
“Drivers Make More Errors When Talking on Cell Phone Than to a Passenger.”
     American Psychological Association, 2008,
     www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2008/12/phone-driving.
Helbock, Melinda. “Facts & Statistics about Texting & Driving.”
     The Law Office of Melinda J. Helbock A.P.C., 9 June 2019,
     personalinjurysandiego.org/topics/facts-about-texting-driving.
Holzwarth, Aline. “The Real Reason You Shouldn't Text While Driving.”
     Behavioral Scientist, 4 Apr. 2018,
     behavioralscientist.org/the-real-reason-you-shouldnt-text-while-driving.
“Parents Release Unfinished Text Message of Son Killed in Crash.”
     FireRescue1, 12 Apr. 2013,
     www.firerescue1.com/extrication/articles/parents-release-unfinished-text-message-of-
     son-killed-in-crash-mcOTEalN1FSsTnor.
Weisberg, Steve. “Smart Phone, Dumb Driver: Cell-Phone Use Diminishes Awareness
     of Driving Safety.” Psychonomic Society, 18 June 2017,
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     awareness-of-driving-safety.