Young History Rece Garlenski

In a special set of isles just north of Europe is a united nation of 4 different states. This small group of islands has effected more nations than any other one in history. This nation is a bulwark of history, empire building, and global influence. From glorious triumphs to horrendous terrors this nation had led in both. This is the United Kingdom.

Stretching into Malay is a nation of great influence in Southeast Asia. This nation has a deep rooted culture that has maintained a balance between hindu and buddhist influences for generations. This nation is famous because it is the only southeast asian country to completely avoid European colonialism through diplomacy and war. This nation continued that same system for generations which made it a politically diverse and strong nation. Today, this nation is a hub of culture, cuisine and people that gets millions of visitors a year. This is Thailand.

On the southern tip of the African continent lies a nation with some of the most divisive histories in the world. This nation is called the rainbow nation for its diversity but has the worst history of oppression in all of Africa. This nation has the largest, most diverse and most advanced economy in all of Africa. Some of Africa’s most important figures emerged from this nation. History has been very unkind to the people of this nation but that history is the backbone of this nation today. Today this nation is dubbed with the very unfortunate name of: The most unequal country in the world. This is South Africa. 

On the mighty Swahili Coast is a nation of great influence and great history. This nation is the origin point for the language Swahili or Kishwal because of the Omani-Bantu interactions that happened here. Since then this nation has seen a lot of interaction, trade and attacks from the outside world. There have also been some of the largest resistance movements in Africa within this land. Hundreds of different people groups have lived in this land and left behind a lasting culture. This is Tanzania.

Perhaps the most well known history in the world lies within this nation. Since its early days as a peninsula filled with small towns to one of the most visited nations in the world, this country has had a lot of history. This nation produced one of the world’s greatest empires that dominated for an elapsed 2000 years and set the tone for the rest of European history. Great food, art, goods and a beautiful language call this place home. This is Italy. 

Dr. Steven Noll is a history professor at the University of Florida, go gators, and teaches a variety of subjects from Florida and US history to the history of Diversity and disability. He has a PHD in American history, a Master of Arts and Master of Education. He is an author of Feeble-Minded in our Midst: Institutions for the Mentally Retarded in the South, as well as two author titles. He has worked closely with the mentally challenged community in Florida and hopes to educate people on how that can be done.