The Declaration of Independence asserts that ‘all men are created equal’ and are endowed with certain unalienable rights - ‘life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness’. When those words were written, over 52 percent of Williamsburg’s population was enslaved. This is a special release of “Created Equal,” a museum theatre exploration of African American perspectives […]
In 2021, the Kluge Center at the Library of Congress presented a series of exciting conversations to explore the nation’s civic life and ways that people from all political beliefs and social causes can build a stronger, more resilient democracy. Each conversation in the "Our Common Purpose" series was facilitated by Kluge Prize winner Danielle […]
Civic life encompasses the infinite ways that people may connect and contribute to their community and society: from voting in an election or organizing a neighborhood block-party, to standing up for a just cause or supporting arts in our parks. For some time, however, many facets of civic life have been in decline. This conversation […]
Gaspee: The Spark that Ignited the American Revolution is an exhibition at the RI State Archives that explores the attack on the HMS Gaspee, a British revenue schooner, through eye-witness accounts and period testimonies. The attack and its aftermath were a key catalyst for events that followed, including the Boston Tea Party, and eventually, full-scale […]
First published in 1943, this classic memoir by well-known Filipino poet Carlos Bulosan describes his boyhood in the Philippines, his voyage to America, and his years of hardship and despair as an itinerant laborer following the harvest trail in the rural West.
No-No Boy tells the story of Ichiro Yamada, a fictional version of the real-life “no-no boys.” Yamada answered “no” twice in a compulsory government questionnaire as to whether he would serve in the armed forces and swear loyalty to the United States. Unwilling to pledge himself to the country that interned him and his family, Ichiro […]
An assortment of teaching and learning resources about America and America's history as we approach the US Semiquincentennial.
It’s census season in the United States and some may be asking what exactly the census is, how it’s done, and why. On this episode, Dr. Patrick Spero talks with former Director of the United States Census Bureau Dr. Kenneth Prewitt about the history of the census, the various methods that census-takers use to count […]
Passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 marked a milestone in the long struggle to extend civil, political, and legal rights and protections to African Americans, including former slaves and their descendants, and to end segregation in public and private facilities. The Senate played an integral part in this story.
What lessons can we learn from Rep. John Lewis’ final message to the people of the United States? John Lewis, the civil rights leader and congressman who died on July 17, 2020, wrote this essay shortly before his death. He requested the letter be published on the day of his funeral as a final message […]
A country's form of government determines whether citizens' voices are magnified or minimized. Government shapes how a country functions and the daily life of its citizens. Understand how the U.S. government and other governments around the world work with our Forms of Government module.
Checkology’s lessons and other resources show you how to navigate today’s challenging information landscape. You will learn how to identify credible information, seek out reliable sources, and apply critical thinking skills to separate fact-based content from falsehoods. Checkology gives you the habits of mind and tools to evaluate and interpret information. And you gain an […]