What’s in a Name?

Names are important. Sometimes names change. Let’s look at the names of some places that have changed. Let’s look at why the names have changed. 

This lake is in Minnesota. The Dakota people first lived here. They are Native Americans. They called the lake Bde Maka Ska. You say it like “Bi-day Ma-ka-ska.” European settlers moved in. They called it Lake Calhoun. They named it after John C. Calhoun. He was a vice president. He supported slavery. Some people decided not to honor him anymore. Now, everyone calls the lake Bde Maka Ska. 

Photo Credit: Steve Skjold/Alamy Stock Photo

Names are important. Sometimes names change. Let’s look at the names of some places that have changed. Let’s look at why the names have changed. 

Last year, Cleveland’s baseball team changed names. They were called the Indians. “Indians” is a name for Native Americans. Many Native Americans do not like it. So, the team changed it to something everyone would like. Now the team is named the Cleveland Guardians. Cleveland has statues called guardians that stand on a large bridge. These statues watch over traffic. 

Photo Credit: Aaron Josefczyk/UPI/Alamy Stock Photo

Names are important. Sometimes names change. Let’s look at the names of some places that have changed. Let’s look at why the names have changed. 

This is an American military base. It was called Fort Bragg. It was named after a Confederate general. A general is a military leader. Confederates fought against the United States during the Civil War. Many places that were named after confederates are changing. This base is now called Fort Liberty. 

What Do You Think?  What are the names of places around you? Who are they named after? 

Photo Credit: U.S. Army video by Sgt. Maxine Baen/DVIDS