.jpg)
Friday, March 28, 2014
Great Match-Ups Dominated the Sweet 16--only 8 survive and advance
The United States' history classes Most Influential American Tournament moved to the Elite 8 on Friday as only 8 great Americans were left standing while the other 8 were sent back to the drawing board to figure out what went wrong.
In the presidential region, Teddy Roosevelt walked softly but carried a big stick and used it to pound upstart Ronald Reagan. Roosevelt jumped out to an early lead and thumped Reagan by a 2:1 margin. After the game Roosevelt was overheard telling Reagan "“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.” Reagan did not want to hear it as he was sent packing.
In the second match up, George Washington showed Thomas Jefferson who is the real "daddy of the nation" as he snuck by the Declaration's Declarer by the score of 25-19. Washington was overheard saying "I can not tell a lie...I whooped Jefferson soundly!". Analysts are already breaking into a frenzy with the upstart Bull Moose Teddy Roosevelt looking to be the first 12 seed into the final four since George Mason (not the school, the real George Mason back in 2002) going against the venerable George Washington. Washington is a perennial power in this tourney.
The Wildcard Bracket lived up to its name as it was a wild round of 16. The votes sided with a more modern slant as Steve Jobs defeated Alexander Hamilton. Jobs handed Hamilton and Iphone and told him to call for a ride home because he time was up. Hamilton started to throw 10 dollar bills at Jobs screaming "yeah, look who's picture is on the 10!". Security quickly escorted Mr. Hamilton out of the arena. In the second matchup in this bracket, Steven Spielberg matched up with Elvis Presley. Spielberg doubled up Presley 30-14 and whispered in the King's ear..."EP phone home!! I am the king now!". The regional finals will match up the two Steves for a trip to the Final Four.
In the Social Activists Bracket, Muhammad Ali got hit early and often for a TKO at the hands of Martin Luther King. In larges margin of the day, King thumped Ali. King said afterwards.."I have a dream today and it is to advance to the final four and win the whole tournament." Baseball star Jackie Robinson whooped up on Elizabeth Cady Stanton like she was a pitcher for the Chicago Cubs. Robinson jumped to an a sizeable lead after one class and ended up defeating Stanton 30-14.
In the last two matchups of the day, Thomas Edison defeated Andrew Carnegie. Edison told the press afterwards, "I have never failed, I have just found 1000 ways not to do something. Well, today, I did not fail and I did it right the first time. It was never a contest." Henry Ford made road kill out of the Wright Brothers as the Wrights crashed and burned by the second highest margin of the day.
Elite 8 Action is as follows:
Teddy Roosevelt vs. George Washington--Presidents Bracket
Steve Jobs vs. Steven Spielgberg--Wildcard Bracket
Martin Luther King vs. Jackie Robinson--Social Activist Bracket
Thomas Edison vs. Henry Ford--Innovators Bracket
In the presidential region, Teddy Roosevelt walked softly but carried a big stick and used it to pound upstart Ronald Reagan. Roosevelt jumped out to an early lead and thumped Reagan by a 2:1 margin. After the game Roosevelt was overheard telling Reagan "“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.” Reagan did not want to hear it as he was sent packing.
In the second match up, George Washington showed Thomas Jefferson who is the real "daddy of the nation" as he snuck by the Declaration's Declarer by the score of 25-19. Washington was overheard saying "I can not tell a lie...I whooped Jefferson soundly!". Analysts are already breaking into a frenzy with the upstart Bull Moose Teddy Roosevelt looking to be the first 12 seed into the final four since George Mason (not the school, the real George Mason back in 2002) going against the venerable George Washington. Washington is a perennial power in this tourney.
The Wildcard Bracket lived up to its name as it was a wild round of 16. The votes sided with a more modern slant as Steve Jobs defeated Alexander Hamilton. Jobs handed Hamilton and Iphone and told him to call for a ride home because he time was up. Hamilton started to throw 10 dollar bills at Jobs screaming "yeah, look who's picture is on the 10!". Security quickly escorted Mr. Hamilton out of the arena. In the second matchup in this bracket, Steven Spielberg matched up with Elvis Presley. Spielberg doubled up Presley 30-14 and whispered in the King's ear..."EP phone home!! I am the king now!". The regional finals will match up the two Steves for a trip to the Final Four.
In the Social Activists Bracket, Muhammad Ali got hit early and often for a TKO at the hands of Martin Luther King. In larges margin of the day, King thumped Ali. King said afterwards.."I have a dream today and it is to advance to the final four and win the whole tournament." Baseball star Jackie Robinson whooped up on Elizabeth Cady Stanton like she was a pitcher for the Chicago Cubs. Robinson jumped to an a sizeable lead after one class and ended up defeating Stanton 30-14.
In the last two matchups of the day, Thomas Edison defeated Andrew Carnegie. Edison told the press afterwards, "I have never failed, I have just found 1000 ways not to do something. Well, today, I did not fail and I did it right the first time. It was never a contest." Henry Ford made road kill out of the Wright Brothers as the Wrights crashed and burned by the second highest margin of the day.
Elite 8 Action is as follows:
Teddy Roosevelt vs. George Washington--Presidents Bracket
Steve Jobs vs. Steven Spielgberg--Wildcard Bracket
Martin Luther King vs. Jackie Robinson--Social Activist Bracket
Thomas Edison vs. Henry Ford--Innovators Bracket
Thursday, March 27, 2014
Sweet 16 Matchups
President's Bracket
Theodore Roosevelt
Game 2 Thomas Jefferson vs.George Washington
Wildcard Bracket
Alexander Hamilton
Game 4 Elvis Presley vs. Steven Spielberg
Elvis Presley
Steven Spielberg
Innovators Bracket
Game 7 Thomas Edison vs. Andrew Carnegie
Game 1 Ronald Reagan vs. Teddy Roosevelt
Ronald Reagan Theodore Roosevelt
Game 2 Thomas Jefferson vs.George Washington
Thomas Jefferson
George Washington
Wildcard Bracket
Game 3 Steve Jobs vs. Alexander Hamilton
Steve Jobs Alexander Hamilton
Game 4 Elvis Presley vs. Steven Spielberg
Steven Spielberg
Social Activist Bracket
Game 5 Martin Luther King vs. Muhammad Ali
Game 5 Martin Luther King vs. Muhammad Ali
Martin Luther King Muhammad Ali
Game 6 Jackie Robinson vs. Elizabeth Cady Stanton
Jackie Robinson
Elizabeth Cady Stanton
Elizabeth Cady Stanton
Innovators Bracket
Game 7 Thomas Edison vs. Andrew Carnegie
Thomas Edison
Andrew Carnegie
Game 8 Henry Ford vs. The Wright Brothers
Andrew Carnegie
Game 8 Henry Ford vs. The Wright Brothers
Henry Ford
Wright Brothers
Wright Brothers
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
Upsets All Over The Bracket in Round of 32!!! #1 Seeds Lincoln and Disney Are Eliminate
The round of 32 matchups proved to be tough on the top seeds as two #1 seeds and two #2 seeds were eliminated in second round competition. The tourney shifted gears from fact sheets to fakebook pages and technological glitches, lackluster performances sparked upsets reminiscent of the recent NCAA tournament games. Let's get a recap of the action....
In the PRESIDENTS BRACKET:
A technological glitch hampered Abraham Lincoln's performance as students fell in love with the caring conservative and won one for the "Gipper" as #8 seed Ronald Reagan pulled away from #1 seed Abraham Lincoln. The contest was tight throughout but a late in the game tax cut initiative pushed Reagan over the top.
In the battle of the Roosevelts, Teddy outlasted an underperforming Franklin Roosevelt. This contest was not close and it was a runaway win for the Bull Moose on the strength of his conservation reform and work to improve sanitation in factories. Score a W for the progressives over the New Deal Party.
In the other two matchups, the founding fathers found their way to the sweet 16. George Washington thumped the father of the Constitution James Madison in one contest while Thomas Jefferson routed an overwhelmed Harry Truman who failed to mention his work with Civil Rights in the Government. That oversight cost Truman some votes.
In the WILDCARD Bracket:
The best match up of the day was #1 seed Walt Disney vs. #9 seed Steve Jobs in a tightly contested matchup. Both sides were creative in their style and prepared in their defense. Disney was overheard saying that he knew this matchup was going to be a "rollercoaster" with ups and downs. It was indeed as Jobs proved the apple of the eye of the majority. He knocks off #1 seed Disney.
Alexander Hamilton was "money" in his round of 32 matchup vs. Horace Mann. Hamilton came out strong and gave Mann an education! This was no duel as Hamilton won easily.
The ol' houndog Elvis Presley had a nice second round win over Mark Twain. The legend of Hannibal, MO got a late start to the game and Presley's lead was too much to overcome. The #6 seed Presley advances to the Sweet 16.
In the final game of the Wildcard bracket, Steven Spielberg had a victory you only see in the movies as he trumped Thomas Paine. The selection committee was criticized for Paine's high seed and Spielberg proved that to be true as he waxed the author of Common Sense. To voters, it was common sense to go with Spielberg.
In the SOCIAL ACTIVIST BRACKET....
This bracket could be summed up with the phrase "A King, 2 Jocks and a Lady". Weird, huh? MLK laid down a decisive verdict over Earl Warren. King showed the supreme court justice who was the real judge. Muhammad Ali has never hit a woman but he did thump Susan B. Anthony who barely got into the contest before it was over. Ol' #42 showed he has staying power with the younger generation as Jackie Robinson worked over Samuel Gompers like the Union Busters used to to do to striking workers back in the day.
The ladies are represented in the sweet 16 as women's right activist Elizabeth Cady Stanton defeated Ralph Nader in the final contest in that bracket. Afterwards, Nader was quoted as saying "I have lost lots of elections before and I will lose many more. No shame in losing to Lizzie!"
In the INNOVATORS BRACKET....
Seeds held true to form as #1 seed Edison withstood an early charge from Alexander Graham Bell. Andrew Carnegie knocked off Bill Gates in a closely contested contest and #3 seed Henry Ford rolled all over Albert Einstein. The one upset in the bracket saw the Wright Brothers defeat John D. Rockefeller as Rocky failed to show for this one. The Wright Brothers flew to victory via forfeit.
In the PRESIDENTS BRACKET:
A technological glitch hampered Abraham Lincoln's performance as students fell in love with the caring conservative and won one for the "Gipper" as #8 seed Ronald Reagan pulled away from #1 seed Abraham Lincoln. The contest was tight throughout but a late in the game tax cut initiative pushed Reagan over the top.
In the battle of the Roosevelts, Teddy outlasted an underperforming Franklin Roosevelt. This contest was not close and it was a runaway win for the Bull Moose on the strength of his conservation reform and work to improve sanitation in factories. Score a W for the progressives over the New Deal Party.
In the other two matchups, the founding fathers found their way to the sweet 16. George Washington thumped the father of the Constitution James Madison in one contest while Thomas Jefferson routed an overwhelmed Harry Truman who failed to mention his work with Civil Rights in the Government. That oversight cost Truman some votes.
In the WILDCARD Bracket:
The best match up of the day was #1 seed Walt Disney vs. #9 seed Steve Jobs in a tightly contested matchup. Both sides were creative in their style and prepared in their defense. Disney was overheard saying that he knew this matchup was going to be a "rollercoaster" with ups and downs. It was indeed as Jobs proved the apple of the eye of the majority. He knocks off #1 seed Disney.
Alexander Hamilton was "money" in his round of 32 matchup vs. Horace Mann. Hamilton came out strong and gave Mann an education! This was no duel as Hamilton won easily.
The ol' houndog Elvis Presley had a nice second round win over Mark Twain. The legend of Hannibal, MO got a late start to the game and Presley's lead was too much to overcome. The #6 seed Presley advances to the Sweet 16.
In the final game of the Wildcard bracket, Steven Spielberg had a victory you only see in the movies as he trumped Thomas Paine. The selection committee was criticized for Paine's high seed and Spielberg proved that to be true as he waxed the author of Common Sense. To voters, it was common sense to go with Spielberg.
In the SOCIAL ACTIVIST BRACKET....
This bracket could be summed up with the phrase "A King, 2 Jocks and a Lady". Weird, huh? MLK laid down a decisive verdict over Earl Warren. King showed the supreme court justice who was the real judge. Muhammad Ali has never hit a woman but he did thump Susan B. Anthony who barely got into the contest before it was over. Ol' #42 showed he has staying power with the younger generation as Jackie Robinson worked over Samuel Gompers like the Union Busters used to to do to striking workers back in the day.
The ladies are represented in the sweet 16 as women's right activist Elizabeth Cady Stanton defeated Ralph Nader in the final contest in that bracket. Afterwards, Nader was quoted as saying "I have lost lots of elections before and I will lose many more. No shame in losing to Lizzie!"
In the INNOVATORS BRACKET....
Seeds held true to form as #1 seed Edison withstood an early charge from Alexander Graham Bell. Andrew Carnegie knocked off Bill Gates in a closely contested contest and #3 seed Henry Ford rolled all over Albert Einstein. The one upset in the bracket saw the Wright Brothers defeat John D. Rockefeller as Rocky failed to show for this one. The Wright Brothers flew to victory via forfeit.
Round of 32 Social Activist Region
Game 1: Martin Luther King vs. Earl Warren
Game 2: Muhammad Ali vs. Susan B. Anthony
Game 3: Jackie Robinson vs. Samuel Gompers
Game 4: Ralph Nader vs. Elizabeth Cady Stanton
Game 2: Muhammad Ali vs. Susan B. Anthony
Game 3: Jackie Robinson vs. Samuel Gompers
Game 4: Ralph Nader vs. Elizabeth Cady Stanton
Round of 32 Innovators Region
Game 1: Thomas Edison vs. Alexander Graham Bell
Game 2: Bill Gates vs. Andrew Carnegie
Game 3: Henry Ford vs. Albert Einstein
Game 4: Wright Brothers vs. John D Rockefeller
Game 2: Bill Gates vs. Andrew Carnegie
Game 3: Henry Ford vs. Albert Einstein
Game 4: Wright Brothers vs. John D Rockefeller
Round of 32 Wildcard Region
Game 1: Walt Disney vs. Steven Jobs
Game 2: Alexander Hamilton vs. Horace Mann
Game 3: Mark Twain vs. Elvis Presley
Game 4: Steven Spielberg vs. Thomas Paine
Game 2: Alexander Hamilton vs. Horace Mann
Game 3: Mark Twain vs. Elvis Presley
Game 4: Steven Spielberg vs. Thomas Paine
Round of 32 Presidents' Region
Game 1: Abe Lincoln vs. Ronald Reagan
Game 2: Teddy Roosevelt vs. Franklin Roosevelt
Game 3: Thomas Jefferson vs. Harry Truman
Game 4: James Madison vs. George Washington
Game 2: Teddy Roosevelt vs. Franklin Roosevelt
Game 3: Thomas Jefferson vs. Harry Truman
Game 4: James Madison vs. George Washington
Monday, March 10, 2014
Round of 32 Is Finalized As First Round Of Tourney Is Complete
A thrilling opening round of action saw 16 play-in contests for the opening round of the Most Influential American Bracket. Now, the field is set for the round of 32 and some juicy match ups are on the horizon.
In the presidential bracket, the opening contest pitted 1980s icon Ronald Reagan vs. the peace loving Woodrow Wilson. Reagan dominated Wilson like he cruised over Mondale in 1984. It was a total landslide as the Reagan only allowed Wilson to earn 3 of 46 votes. The Reagan-Lincoln round of 32 matchup appears to be a toss up at this time. In other contests, Teddy Roosevelt raced out to an early lead after one period of voting and held on for a quality win over Civil War general and president Ulysses S. Grant. The most closely contested contest of the bracket was Truman and Eisenhower. Truman followed a similar script to his election in 1948. Though the tribune did not print any "Ike Defeats Truman" newspapers, the ol' Missouri war horse was down five votes heading into the second period of voting and he outpaced Eisenhower by nine votes to win by five and move to the next round. The father of the Constitution James Madison used an early lead to advance over James K. Polk. The combination of his role as a founding father and leader during the War of 1812 made Madison too tough for Polk.
The social activist bracket saw Supreme Court Justice Earl Warren dominate Upton Sinclair. Sinclair was overheard saying "It was a Jungle out there." A transparent attempt to promote his work but also an indication that the man who brought us Brown vs. Board of Education wanted this vote to be unanimous as that one was. Federick Douglass found out the hard way what Muhammad Ali meant when he said "I float like a butterfly and sting like a bee". Douglass was stung early by Ali. Though he fought hard throughout, Douglass could not overcome the early lead at the polls and Ali moves on to the second round. Samuel Gompers went to work (get it!!) and knocked off abolitionist John Brown. Gompers was balanced in his lead through both voting sections. Rosa Parks did not have much support either visually or in the class and that made it an easy win for Ralph Nader. Nader pulled away with a big second period to win. Nader was excited after the victory noting that it was his first election that he actually won!
The innovators bracket had some exciting match ups. Eli Whitney could not spin enough magic with this cotton gin and interchangeable parts to get a victory over Alexander Graham Bell. Bell, the father of the phone (which is like texting, kids, but you actually talk into it!!) was to strong and blew Whitney away 31-13. You could tell technology was on the minds of the voters as Bill Gates dominated Jonas Salk. The lopsided score tied Reagan for largest victory. Gates looks tough at the 5 seed and could give Carnegie a run for his money. In an electric play in game, Nikola Tesla could not overcome the overall brilliance of Albert Einstein. Einstein maintained a solid lead throughout the voting. Finally, the Wright Brothers defeat Robert Oppenheimer. The contest can best be described by one student as this "the Wright brothers invented the thing that carried Oppenheimer's invention." The Wright Brothers move on.
In the Wildcard division, the theme of technology continued to carry the day as Steve Jobs moved to the second round with a tight victory over Sam Walton. Walton closed strong with his consumer friendly prices but Jobs held on to win. Bob Dylan may have been the voice of protest in the 60s but he was dust in the wind in his first round match up with Alexander Hamilton. Hamilton was "money in the bank" as he trounced Dylan soundly. In a much anticipated match up the the King Elvis Presley vs. the Sultan of Swat Babe Ruth, the King was royalty as he beat Babe by three votes to advance. Finally, it was a picture perfect moment as Steven Spielberg offered no compromise to Henry Clay. Spielberg made Clay want to "phone home" ala E.T. as Spielberg beat Clay 33-11.
The round of 32 is set for after Springbreak. Check back for details.
In the presidential bracket, the opening contest pitted 1980s icon Ronald Reagan vs. the peace loving Woodrow Wilson. Reagan dominated Wilson like he cruised over Mondale in 1984. It was a total landslide as the Reagan only allowed Wilson to earn 3 of 46 votes. The Reagan-Lincoln round of 32 matchup appears to be a toss up at this time. In other contests, Teddy Roosevelt raced out to an early lead after one period of voting and held on for a quality win over Civil War general and president Ulysses S. Grant. The most closely contested contest of the bracket was Truman and Eisenhower. Truman followed a similar script to his election in 1948. Though the tribune did not print any "Ike Defeats Truman" newspapers, the ol' Missouri war horse was down five votes heading into the second period of voting and he outpaced Eisenhower by nine votes to win by five and move to the next round. The father of the Constitution James Madison used an early lead to advance over James K. Polk. The combination of his role as a founding father and leader during the War of 1812 made Madison too tough for Polk.
The social activist bracket saw Supreme Court Justice Earl Warren dominate Upton Sinclair. Sinclair was overheard saying "It was a Jungle out there." A transparent attempt to promote his work but also an indication that the man who brought us Brown vs. Board of Education wanted this vote to be unanimous as that one was. Federick Douglass found out the hard way what Muhammad Ali meant when he said "I float like a butterfly and sting like a bee". Douglass was stung early by Ali. Though he fought hard throughout, Douglass could not overcome the early lead at the polls and Ali moves on to the second round. Samuel Gompers went to work (get it!!) and knocked off abolitionist John Brown. Gompers was balanced in his lead through both voting sections. Rosa Parks did not have much support either visually or in the class and that made it an easy win for Ralph Nader. Nader pulled away with a big second period to win. Nader was excited after the victory noting that it was his first election that he actually won!
The innovators bracket had some exciting match ups. Eli Whitney could not spin enough magic with this cotton gin and interchangeable parts to get a victory over Alexander Graham Bell. Bell, the father of the phone (which is like texting, kids, but you actually talk into it!!) was to strong and blew Whitney away 31-13. You could tell technology was on the minds of the voters as Bill Gates dominated Jonas Salk. The lopsided score tied Reagan for largest victory. Gates looks tough at the 5 seed and could give Carnegie a run for his money. In an electric play in game, Nikola Tesla could not overcome the overall brilliance of Albert Einstein. Einstein maintained a solid lead throughout the voting. Finally, the Wright Brothers defeat Robert Oppenheimer. The contest can best be described by one student as this "the Wright brothers invented the thing that carried Oppenheimer's invention." The Wright Brothers move on.
In the Wildcard division, the theme of technology continued to carry the day as Steve Jobs moved to the second round with a tight victory over Sam Walton. Walton closed strong with his consumer friendly prices but Jobs held on to win. Bob Dylan may have been the voice of protest in the 60s but he was dust in the wind in his first round match up with Alexander Hamilton. Hamilton was "money in the bank" as he trounced Dylan soundly. In a much anticipated match up the the King Elvis Presley vs. the Sultan of Swat Babe Ruth, the King was royalty as he beat Babe by three votes to advance. Finally, it was a picture perfect moment as Steven Spielberg offered no compromise to Henry Clay. Spielberg made Clay want to "phone home" ala E.T. as Spielberg beat Clay 33-11.
The round of 32 is set for after Springbreak. Check back for details.
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
Welcome to March Madness--U.S. History Style!!
Welcome to the official blog page of the 2014 United States History Most Influential American Tournament. This 48 person tournament is broken down into 4 brackets of 12 people per bracket. The brackets are as follows: Presidents, Social Activists, Innovators, and Wildcard. Each student is assigned ONE person and is their representative as they advance through the tournament. Different modes of presentation will be used and voting will take place on the comments section of this block.
The bracket is below.
Dates for each round are as follows:
Round of 48 (play in round)--Fact Sheet Due on March 10. Voting in class on March 10
Round of 32--Fakebook page is due on March 25. Vote on blog March 25.
Round of 16--Google Presentation is due on March 28. Vote on blog on March 28
Round of 8--Lucidchart is due on April 2. Voting on blog on April 2
Final 4--Touchcast Presentation is due on April 7. Vote in class April 7
The bracket is below.
Dates for each round are as follows:
Round of 48 (play in round)--Fact Sheet Due on March 10. Voting in class on March 10
Round of 32--Fakebook page is due on March 25. Vote on blog March 25.
Round of 16--Google Presentation is due on March 28. Vote on blog on March 28
Round of 8--Lucidchart is due on April 2. Voting on blog on April 2
Final 4--Touchcast Presentation is due on April 7. Vote in class April 7
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)