National History Day is an American academic competition focusing on history for students in grades 6-12. The goal of the event is to provide students with opportunities to learn historical content and develop research, thinking and communication skills through the study of history and to provide educators with resources and training to enhance classroom teaching. National History Day started on the local level in Cleveland, Ohio and rapidly grew from 129 students in 1974 to more than half a million students today. The students prepare their entries either as individuals or as a group in one of five categories: Documentary, Exhibit, Paper, Performance or Website. The students compete in a series of contests at the local, regional, and state level before proceeding to the national contest.
Kaitlin Folsom, a freshman, interviewed Leon Wildes who represented John Lennon and Yoko Ono between 1972 and 1976, in their struggle to remain in the United States, despite the concerted attempts for the Nixon Administration to deport them.
The case (which included bringing four separate Federal lawsuits) not only resulted in John and Yoko getting their green cards and being able to remain in the United States, but it also led to substantial changes in immigration law and brought to light secretive government practices and undue political influence, and has resulted in greater transparency in the U.S. immigration system.
According to Kaitlan, who presented John Lennon’s leadership and legacy through her National History Day senior individual performance, “John Lennon was a, musician, artist, activist and dreamer who changed the world through his work as a popular culture icon and political activist. Through his words and music, Lennon has and continues to inspire many. Lennon’s immigration case is an integral part of his lasting legacy, for it has become a basis for today’s modern immigration reforms.”
Leon Wildes and the firm of Wildes & Weinberg wish to congratulate Kaitlan on finishing 11th in the nation out of all of the high school (senior) individual performances. To view both the preliminary found and final round of the competition, follow the below links:
Preliminary round: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1qXHuIO6a0
Final round: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVKluLtzZE4
For nearly six decades, Wildes & Weinberg, has concentrated its practice in all aspects of U.S. immigration and nationality law, servicing the immigration needs of prominent American and International firms, banks, industrial, financial and manufacturing concerns, and law firms in connection with the personnel needs of their foreign national employees. In addition, the firm has a distinguished clientele and has done substantial immigration work for investors, scientists, physicians, bankers, performing artists, directors, writers, models, actors/actresses, athletes, fine artists, art dealers, curators, and literary agents.