‘MTSU On the Record’ makes American history rhyme with former teacher

An MTSU graduate who wants to share his love of American history with youngsters was the guest on a recent “MTSU On the Record” radio program.

Host Gina Logue’s interview with Larry Markus, MTSU alumnus and retired schoolteacher, first aired June 1 on WMOT-FM Roots Radio 89.5 and www.wmot.org.

Gina K. Logue

Larry Markus

You can listen to their conversation via the Soundcloud link above.

Grounded in his 40 years of experience at teaching fifth and sixth graders, Markus’ book, “United States History in Rhyme,” is an illustrated trip through some of the most consequential events of the American republic.

Illustrated with both photos and drawings, the book runs from the discovery of the New World to the presidential inauguration of Barack Obama. It also includes a glossary of terms and a copy of The American Creed, an oath that was approved by the U.S. House of Representatives in 1918.

Markus said he is still impressed at the foresight of the Founding Fathers in creating a new nation.

“I’m still amazed at how you can get that many intelligent men, successful people, ambitious at that, to get together and agree on these principles that they agreed on,” Markus said. “You can’t get that now in Washington, can you?”