Background photo by Reed Thayer
 

 

Text Box: Home The Diné The Quest For a Code Why the Navajo Starting Out The Navajo Code Fighting the War Returning Home Aftermath Code Talkers and Communication Conclusion Timeline Bibliography Notes Process Paper Return to Title Text Box: Last summer, my grandmother and I went to southwestern Colorado on an intergenerational Elderhostel trip. There, I learned about the Navajo, Anasazi, and Ute cultures. I was so captivated by the cultures that I knew I had to do a History Day project on them. I then thought that I would be able to find more primary sources on a topic regarding the 20th century. Thinking through what I had learned in Colorado, I decided to research the Navajo code talkers because they helped the U.S. send messages in World War II. To begin my research, I visited the Monterey Public Library. There, I found a book called Navajo Code Talkers by Nathan Aaseng. I also learned that the library belongs to many databases loaded with newspaper articles and other primary source material. I ran across four articles that I used. In addition, I searched Google, Microsoft Encarta, and Wikipedia. I found an Encarta article, a Wikipedia article, and four other websites, including one made by the Marines. I chose to create a website because I enjoy designing them. To make it, I made a basic layout and a flowchart showing how I would arrange the contents of my report. I would fill in the blanks on the layout from my rough draft and then add some graphics. Some of the photos I found on the internet, while others were taken by me in Colorado. This project relates to the theme “Communication in History: the Key to Understanding” because the Navajo communicated classified messages from unit to unit, only allowing the U.S. military to understand their messages in World War II, allowing the U.S. to win the war. The end of the war promoted a greater understanding among nations that had formerly been fighting. Throughout history, Native Americans have contributed to the United States, and the code talkers made a great contribution. All in all, this was an enriching learning experience.