17-year-old Helena Muffly wrote exactly 100 years ago today:
Thursday, February 13, 1913: Have started my American Revolution essay. I have the introduction written.

Her middle-aged granddaughter’s comments 100 years later:
Grandma wrote in a previous diary entry that her teacher was going to give a two and a half dollar gold piece to whoever wrote the best essay on the American Revolution.
Why did her teacher select this topic? How did Grandma frame what she wrote?
Grandma—I’m keeping my fingers crossed that you win.
not a topic I would have wanted to attempt
Sounds tough….!
Wouldn’t it be great if we could read Grandma’s essay?
I would love to read it!!!!
I love reading your blog. Such a window into the past!
Has she said yet what the topic is?
The previous day she wrote, “At last we have our subject to write upon. Titled the American Revolution.” She didn’t provide any more details.
I agree… it would be great if we could have read Grandma’s essay.
Ugh I hate essays!