Activity

Begin by asking students to think of days in the annual calendar which are used to celebrate or commemorate national events/institutions etc. (eg. Remembrance Day, 2002 Golden Jubilee). This could be extended to include similar national holidays or 'days' in other countries (eg. Indpendence Day). Consider: why do we have these national holidays? How are they celebrated? Who celebrates them?

Without offering any context, watch the newsreel through, asking students to make a note of anything they find interesting. This can be followed by a quick discussion, with students feeding back their ideas. Encourage students to think about what the extract suggests about attitudes towards the Empire. What is the significance of the military style parade of children, the abundance of flags and the appearance of a bull-dog? Why might children have played a central role in Empire Day celebrations? Why do students think that Empire Day was celebrated? They might also want to consider what is meant the phrase 'Spirit of the Empire'.

This newsreel would have been shown as part of a programme in cinemas and some other venues. How do students think contemporary audiences would have reacted to the item? What kinds of feelings might it have evoked?

How do students respond to idea of Empire Day today? What do they associate with 'Empire' and how does this affect their 'reading' of the film?

Some more ideas

• Gordon Brown has suggested having an annual 'Great Britain Day'. What do students think about this proposal?