Library of Virginia historian Dr. Brent Tarter discusses four important Virginia constitutions: 1776, 1869, 1902, and 1971. These were on display at the Library to commemorate the 50th anniversary of […]
These short videos each tell the story of an important person or artifact from that exhibition and trace the history of the woman suffrage movement in Virginia from 1909 until […]
During Civic Season, this Library of Virginia traveling exhibition will be at Henrico County's Public Library in Fairfield, Virginia. Our web page lists the exhibition's itinerary as it travels throughout […]
Come visit the Library of Virginia in-person to learn more about how Virginians used petitions to bring local and personal issues to the attention of their legislators. Free parking is […]
This small-group discussion topic series encourages informed conversations around complex issues affecting Virginia. To facilitate these discussions, the Library has chosen an accessible film to watch, created extensive online resource […]
View this talk about the little-known ways garden club members transformed Virginia. Hear stories about club women who advocated for conservation laws, tackled hunger, and successfully challenged the injustices of […]
Teach yourself with this selection of Library of Congress primary sources exploring the United States Constitution. This set also includes a Teacher's Guide with historical context and teaching suggestions.
IX at 50: The Lady Vols Experience is an oral history project that celebrates the work of legendary UT Coach Pat Summitt and the UT Women’s Athletics family in working […]
Educational website with bios, illustrations, videos, activities, lesson plans, and primary sources about Utah women who shaped the state and the nation.
Explore historical places, events, and people through exhibitions, lectures, guided tours, and online or in-person classes with History Colorado.
When We All Vote’s inaugural Culture of Democracy Summit, we’ll have a national conversation on how we can all work together every year to expand our collective mission to protect […]
A large majority of Americans want a healthier democracy, more collaborative governance, and elections that are both secure and widely accessible. But we often feel powerless to hold our elected […]
Follow along this virtual field trip to explore "A Path Forward," a new memorial to voting rights history in Salt Lake City created by artists Kelsey Harrison and Jason Manley. […]
iThrive Sim: Lives in Balance is a 35-minute role-playing simulation game that invites middle and high school students to act as government officials tasked with responding to a public health […]
With support from the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the Regional Development Authority, the Putnam Museum is in the first stage of a multi-year process to update and […]
A century after ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment, the Chicago History Museum invites visitors to explore women’s activism in Chicago to secure the right to vote—and beyond. In this online […]
Experience the story of LGBTQ+ Coloradans, from fighting for equal rights to celebrating community, in a new exhibition coming to History Colorado. For more than two years, museum curators have […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
An assortment of teaching and learning resources about America and America's history as we approach the US Semiquincentennial.
In this activity, you will analyze documents related to American Indian history and voting rights from the 1830s to the 1970s and place them in chronological order. Documents were chosen […]
As our democracy faces immense challenges—strained institutions, fragmented civil society, economic inequality, unequal representation, a changed media ecosystem, coarsening civic culture—it's up to all of us to take action. Read […]
In 2020 we celebrated the 100th anniversary of women's suffrage in the United States. Since then the work to get everyone access to the polls hasn't ended. Watch a short […]
This article explores the rediscovery of Juneteenth in the twenty-first century and how it's becoming an important American holiday.
This article explores youth activism in the South before, during, and after the civil rights campaigns led by Martin Luther King Jr.
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 […]
In the US, political institutions are often seen as neutral, but in fact they reflect choices and compromises about how we balance between majority and minority interests. How can different […]
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 […]
Help the Rhode Island State Archives transcribe the daily calendar of the President of the Rhode Island Women's Suffrage Association. Learn who she met with and what she did. This […]
National Week of Conversation 2021 invites Americans of all stripes to listen, extend grace, and discover common interests. Find conversations near you, virtually or in person, and explore topics with […]
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 […]
This deliberation guide focuses on the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, encouraging students to examine the choices the Californio indigenous people faced in June 1849 as they determined how they would […]
We welcome students to explore Kentucky’s legislative branch to learn about the democratic process and the importance of voting. Discover who makes the laws in Kentucky as well as the […]
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. […]
The American Exchange Project is a fully-funded (that's right, FREE) summer exchange program for recently graduated high schoolers. We all should see the country in which we live, to experience […]
2020 marked the 100th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment which enfranchised half of the population by granting women the right to vote. Learn about Margaret Brown’s own […]
Meet young leaders who are fighting for social justice and equity, founding change-making organizations, and fearlessly speaking their truth.
Moderated by Rebecca Roberts, author of "Suffragists in Washington DC," the panel will discuss how the 19th Amendment centennial adapted to 2020, where efforts succeeded, where they fell short, and […]
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 […]
In commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the 26th Amendment, join the National Archives Foundation for a virtual program exploring the history of civic engagement among youth, the impact that […]
In both the Richmond Bread Riot of 1863 and the ongoing protests against police brutality, we hear the voice of people who suffer from inequitable systems – in 1863, it […]
This is an assortment of photographs from the Photographic History Collection of photographs and photographic objects that include an American flag.
Join the National Museum of American History for an online exploration into key social studies topics, featuring museum resources from the Smithsonian.
After the 15th Amendment banned voter discrimination, Southern states still barred most African Americans from the polls. Women campaigned until 1920 for their right to participate in elections—they continue to […]
Are there limits to the types of speech we protect? What happens when a publication threatens national security? How do we keep the practice of one religion from impinging on […]
This exhibition explores voting rights in the Civil War era and how the 15th Amendment changed everything, but did little.
A highlight of the Center for Women’s History, Women’s Voices is a multimedia digital installation where visitors can discover the hidden connections among exceptional and unknown women who left their […]
During World War II, the United States government forcibly removed over 120,000 Japanese Americans from the Pacific Coast. These individuals, two-thirds of them U.S. citizens, were sent to ten camps […]
Only 100 years ago, in 1920, the 19th Amendment was ratified, granting women the right to vote in the United States. The fight for ratification was long and difficult for […]
Theodore Roosevelt was the 26th President of the United States, from 1901 to 1909. Here you can read about his six children, their lives at the White House and beyond. […]
Women representing a range of environmental and arts-based organizations share their work and ask: “How Can The Arts Inspire Environmental Advocacy?” Presenters included: Amy Lipton, director/curator of ecoartspace, Miranda Massie, […]
"The Art of Citizenship" is a digital resource that explores the modern-day relevance of Thomas Jefferson's ideas about the American experiment in self-government. Using videos, podcasts, photos, timelines, and quotes, […]
We the People: Civic Engagement in a Constitutional Democracy Gain a foundational knowledge of American constitutional democracy and understand how to encourage others to explore their own civic paths, while […]
Every election season in the United States revolves around a set of issues—health care, foreign affairs, the economy. In 1868, at the height of the Reconstruction, the pressing issue was […]
Women have been working side by side with each other and with men – fathers, brothers, partners, husbands, sons – throughout human existence. The theme “women at work” should therefore […]
The Unity Center exhibit at the California Museum celebrates the state’s diverse people, customs and cultures. Initiated in 1999 in response to a series of Northern California hate crimes, the […]
Discover the stories of selected Golden State women from the 1700s to present who inspire change and reflection on the ongoing struggle for equality in the online version of the […]
To what degree are identities shaped by food exchanges—from cultivation and harvest to preparation and consumption? In this virtual program, food rights activist Ianne Fields Stewart, interdisciplinary artist Wanda Raimundi-Ortiz, […]
Viewed through a wider lens, declaring independence involved more than a single document and a single historical moment. Before July 1776, numerous local organizations had urged the Congress to embrace […]
Join two Nation Builders to discuss the Cost of Freedom during the formation of the United States; the impact on soldiers and civilians in the war, the fight for religious […]
By 21, Joan Trumpauer Mulholland had demonstrated against segregation dozens of times, been imprisoned for her work as a member of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), and been hunted […]
In this recorded session, Dr. Ashley Howard, University of Iowa, looks at the relationship between class, gender and region in urban uprisings in the Midwest; the central differences between the […]
In the last presidential election, less than half of eligible young people voted. Why? After all, countless initiatives have been launched to register and mobilize these voters. School lectures stress […]
Be Washington is a first-person interactive leadership experience. Come face to face with challenges that George Washington confronted as commander in chief and the president in four key scenarios that […]
Our virtual Capitol Hill tour brings the iconic Capitol complex to life. Our energetic tour guide Becca shares the stories behind some of our most powerful national symbols and explores […]
Learn about the history of voting and what you can do to protect and expand voting rights.
In this activity, you will consider the experiences of several Chinese people who were exhibited in an ethnographic display at the 1899 National Export Exposition.
In 1878 Senator Aaron Sargent became the first member of Congress to formally propose a constitutional amendment specifically to extend voting rights to women. The Senate never voted on Sargent’s […]
What is the role of art as we get out the vote and build larger movements for change? In this national conversation with engaged artists held on October 29, 2020, […]
You will analyze historical records of the House and Senate to understand the sequence of steps in the legislative process.
In this lesson, students examine the appointment of one particular Supreme Court Justice, Sandra Day O’Connor, who was also the first female Justice in the 191-year history of the Court. […]
Players develop the skills to become news-literate by practicing four distinct skills in a game format: distinguishing news articles from opinion pieces, advertisements from other types of information, false evidence […]
Taking a cue from the popular protest call-and-response—"Show me what democracy looks like! This is what democracy looks like!"—this site explores what democracy looks like from the perspectives of five […]
Join our expert panel as we examine the impact of fake news, misinformation and conspiracy theories on American democracy, past and present. Panel historians will look at instances of these […]
What lessons might we learn from the stories of the families of the victims, survivors, and witnesses of the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire? The Triangle Shirtwaist Fire prompted many legislative and […]
Teenagers have always played a role in shaping history - before there was Greta Thunberg or Zy Bryant, there was Barbara Johns. Visit this virtual tour of the Moton Museum […]
On view outdoors in New-York Historical’s rear courtyard, this exhibition explores the gay and lesbian community that flourished during the 1950s in Cherry Grove through some 70 enlarged photographs and […]
The 1701 Project is a venture led by The Yale Historical Review (YHR) that analyzes our university’s and our nation’s racist histories. Although not affiliated with The 1619 Project, we […]
This article examines how the 19th Amendment, which granted women suffrage, has evolved over the past 100 years.
Preparing for the Oath is an easy-to-use study guide for the civics portion of the 2008 U.S. Naturalization Test. Here, you can learn about U.S. history and government and practice […]
The Voter Information Center has everything you need to know about elections in Rhode Island. You can register to vote, update your voter record, learn about upcoming elections, view your […]
The Voter Information Center has everything you need to know about elections in Rhode Island. You can register to vote, update your voter record, learn about upcoming elections, view your […]
DICCE Resource Guides are short guides to help you understand different backgrounds, unlearn and relearn history and pursue equity.
What does civic media look like, and how can it compete with social media? What are the benefits to creating a platform that would help, rather than harm, our democratic […]
Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Annette Gordon-Reed tells the sweeping story of Juneteenth’s integral importance to American history and provides a historian’s view of the country’s long road to Juneteenth, recounting both […]
We are regularly exposed to the message that in a democracy, such as the United States, our voices matter. We are encouraged to vote—to participate in the electoral process—to be […]
For decades in America, civic literacy, individual rights, and historical understanding have been waning. The National Archives is uniquely positioned to change this trajectory by supporting educators across the nation […]
Join us as we commemorate both the powerful words of the Declaration of Independence and how generations have fought – and continue to fight – to make these ideas real. […]
America’s Founders understood that a republic is fragile; for it to survive, citizens must be engaged, educated, committed and have a free press and voting rights. In this livestream Pulitzer […]
How could the author of the Declaration of Independence own slaves? How did the Founders’ failure on slavery stunt the American Dream? What are some of the key lessons from […]
Better Arguments can help you learn to engage productively across differences and grapple with differing viewpoints. The Better Arguments Projects created a curriculum applicable to school-based learning activities and after-school […]
What Every American Should Know, an initiative of the Aspen Institute’s Citizenship and American Identity Program, is a nonpartisan exploration of the elements of cultural and civic social literacy for […]
Do you know what it takes to become an American? This quiz features questions from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services naturalization exam paired with objects from the New-York Historical […]
Brush up on key terms to know when studying the history of DC voting rights through a matching activity and suggested reading.
The right to vote is the most elemental right of citizenship. Or is it? Through an examination of who could vote in Connecticut and under what circumstances, with a particular […]
Did women gain the right to vote in 1920 for the first time, or was the 19th amendment a return to a more natural and balanced governance system? Passamaquoddy Tribe […]
Since 1945, there have been many changes and events in society that have had significant impacts. Learn about how these changed the world, and how they have impacted you with […]
In this pilot episode of the Students Speak Out Podcast, host Simone St. Pierre Nelson interviews fellow high school student Balqies Mohamed on her experiences being civically engaged in her […]
Read or listen to this oral history featuring Latin Jazz artist, Paquito D'Rivera.
A six-episode podcast series about the unfinished struggle for women’s voting rights, Amended highlights the stories of women who faced discrimination on the basis of race, class, and citizenship status […]
On the first episode of the APS podcast, host Dr. Patrick Spero interviews Dr. Kathleen Hall Jamieson about the attack on facts and what that means for how well the […]
If You Don't Know Now You Know (IYDKNYK) is a special podcast through the Moton Museum. Each episode will take a dive into a specific history topic, individual, etc., and […]
Use History@FedGov portal to learn about the history of the federal government! What do different government departments and agencies do? find resources here! Learn about how your government works and […]
In August of 1939, the Civil Rights movement in Alexandria came to the forefront during the Alexandria Library Sit- in, one of the first Civil Rights actions to take place […]
Dr. Larry J. Sabato gave the keynote address for Monticello's 54th Annual Independence Day Celebration and Naturalization Ceremony on July 4, 2016. Sabato shares his thoughts on immigration, citizenship, Thomas […]
How can every citizen have a voice? Town meeting each spring in Vermont is central to its identity as a little state that does things differently. But what happens when […]
Freedom Summer 1964 is a free digital interactive that explores key events surrounding the early years of the Civil Rights Movement, the 1964 Mississippi voter registration drive, and the eventual […]
Then & Now: The Relevance of History in Current Events, are a series of Google Classrooms designed to create historical context for the stories we see in our social media […]
Design a voter registration campaign that encouraging other young people to become active voters.
Test your knowledge of major elements of DC voting rights history through this eight-question quiz. Best accessed using Chrome browser
Believe it or not, events from before 1900 still have a tremendous impact on modern society. Dive into how events before 1900 continue to shape today's world with our module, […]
The events that occurred at our nation’s Capitol on January 6, 2021 are not only shocking in today’s world, but also generated comparisons to previous episodes from history. As images, […]
Presidential inaugurations are meaningful moments in our country’s political history. When a new president is elected in the fall, Americans watch on Inauguration Day as power transitions from one elected […]
“The Good Fight: Oklahoma City Sit-Ins” tells the inspiring story of the Oklahoma City sit-in movement, which started in 1958. You’ll learn how students used non-violent protests to help end […]
In this activity, you will examine the impact of westward expansion and settlement on Native American communities following the Civil War. You will explore a variety of documents to get […]
Stone on Stone: Sing Sing Stories lets you experience and learn about the extraordinary history of Sing Sing. We’ve curated six digital galleries of historic images, recordings, readings and video […]
January 1, 2018 marked the 155th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation. In celebration, the National Archives Foundation created this fun quiz about the document.
What does civic media look like, and how can it compete with social media? What are the benefits to creating a platform that would help, rather than harm, our democratic […]
Our democracy is vulnerable. Bringing together community members and experts, this series explores historical connections to recent events in our country that have revealed those vulnerabilities in our democratic framework […]
Across the country, concerned citizens joined us for the release of the final report of the Commission on the Practice of Democratic Citizenship. We heard from the Commissioners, dedicated Americans, […]
How could the author of the Declaration of Independence own slaves? How did the Founders’ failure on slavery stunt the American Dream? What are some of the key lessons from […]
Join us as we commemorate both the powerful words of the Declaration of Independence and how generations have fought – and continue to fight – to make these ideas real. […]
America’s Founders understood that a republic is fragile; for it to survive, citizens must be engaged, educated, committed and have a free press and voting rights. In this livestream Pulitzer […]
On May 21-22, 2016, the National Archives presented a National Conversation on Civil Rights and Individual Freedom in partnership with the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum in Atlanta, GA. […]
Join Atlanta History Center for a panel discussion with Ambassador Andrew Young, Al Vivian, and Steve Fiffer (co-author) as they discuss C.T. Vivian's posthumously published memoir It's In the Action. […]
Explore how ordinary citizens and public figures use their words to engage in the civic process to effect positive change in the Our Words, Our Power Speech Workshop Series. To […]
Tools and skills to be active participants in civic life.
When Franklin D. Roosevelt assumed the presidency in 1933, America was in crisis. The Great Depression had spread economic turmoil and poverty. Play this game to explore the challenges FDR […]
A collection of videos from the series Pizza & Politics, plus some extra videos (our favorites!). State of the Students is a nonpartisan student-led organization that serves to bridge the […]
On view outdoors in New-York Historical’s rear courtyard, this exhibition explores the gay and lesbian community that flourished during the 1950s in Cherry Grove through some 70 enlarged photographs and […]
Read this interview with Jazz Master, David N. Baker.
DICCE Resource Guides are short guides to help you understand different backgrounds, unlearn and relearn history and pursue equity.
The events that occurred at our nation’s Capitol on January 6, 2021 are not only shocking in today’s world, but also generated comparisons to previous episodes from history. As images, […]
Join The Andrew Goodman Foundation for Rise Up Weekend: We Organize, We Vote, We Lead on June 25 from 12-5 p.m. ET! With expert and celebrity speakers to engage participants […]
The 1701 Project is a venture led by The Yale Historical Review (YHR) that analyzes our university’s and our nation’s racist histories. Although not affiliated with The 1619 Project, we […]
Teenagers have always played a role in shaping history - before there was Greta Thunberg or Zy Bryant, there was Barbara Johns. Visit this virtual tour of the Moton Museum […]
Believe it or not, events from before 1900 still have a tremendous impact on modern society. Dive into how events before 1900 continue to shape today's world with our module, […]
This article examines how the 19th Amendment, which granted women suffrage, has evolved over the past 100 years.
Read this oral history interview with Jazz Master, Buddy DeFranco.
Celebrate young voters and the activists working to expand their rights with this communications toolkit created by the Students Learn Students Vote Coalition’s 26th Amendment Working Group!This toolkit helps participants […]
Preparing for the Oath is an easy-to-use study guide for the civics portion of the 2008 U.S. Naturalization Test. Here, you can learn about U.S. history and government and practice […]
The Voter Information Center has everything you need to know about elections in Rhode Island. You can register to vote, update your voter record, learn about upcoming elections, view your […]
The SCHOOL SAGAS oral history program interviews students of formerly segregated institutions. Senior citizens remember the upheaval of desegregation, and current students describe continuing divisions. Their stories trace society’s triumphs […]
Presidential inaugurations are meaningful moments in our country’s political history. When a new president is elected in the fall, Americans watch on Inauguration Day as power transitions from one elected […]
Examine the appointment of one particular Supreme Court Justice, Sandra Day O’Connor, who was also the first female Justice in the 191-year history of the Court. Learn about the process […]
In this activity, you will examine the impact of westward expansion and settlement on Native American communities following the Civil War. You will explore a variety of documents to get […]
You will analyze historical records of the House and Senate to understand the sequence of steps in the legislative process.
“The Good Fight: Oklahoma City Sit-Ins” tells the inspiring story of the Oklahoma City sit-in movement, which started in 1958. You’ll learn how students used non-violent protests to help end […]
What lessons might we learn from the stories of the families of the victims, survivors, and witnesses of the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire? The Triangle Shirtwaist Fire prompted many legislative and […]
Join our expert panel as we examine the impact of fake news, misinformation and conspiracy theories on American democracy, past and present. Panel historians will look at instances of these […]
Every chapter in the history of criminal justice and incarceration in the United States has a few pages written about Sing Sing Prison. The 1825 Cellblock is a rare example […]
January 1, 2018 marked the 155th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation. See how much you know and learn more along the way.
In 1878 Senator Aaron Sargent became the first member of Congress to formally propose a constitutional amendment specifically to extend voting rights to women. The Senate never voted on Sargent’s […]
Taking a cue from the popular protest call-and-response—"Show me what democracy looks like! This is what democracy looks like!"—this site explores what democracy looks like from the perspectives of five […]
Players develop the skills to become news-literate by practicing four distinct skills in a game format: distinguishing news articles from opinion pieces, advertisements from other types of information, false evidence […]
What is the role of art as we get out the vote and build larger movements for change? In this national conversation with engaged artists held on October 29, 2020, […]
The National Archives Foundation's series about the women’s suffrage movement and its lasting impact on future generations. As part of a larger initiative in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of […]
This collection of reflections and resources offers to point the audience toward several important works that we find useful and accessible when talking about the social unrest begun in 2020. […]
Hear from Lisa Kay Solomon, designer in residence and lecturer at the Hasso Plattner Institute of Design (d.school) as she discusses designing the U.S. presidency and shaping the future.
Use this interactive 3D tour to explore the RI State House! This tour can be viewed on a computer, mobile device, or by using Google Cardboard (or a similar VR […]
It is often believed that 1863 is the turning point of the Civil War, but for Americans at the time, there was no end in sight. For those in the […]
Engage and explore how Washington, DC has been a pivotal location for the struggle for equal rights. Discover the many women who have contributed to the movement, and learn how […]
Learn about the history of voting and what you can do to protect and expand voting rights.
Delbert Richardson and his national award-winning American History Traveling Museum, The Unspoken Truths, is coming to MOHAI for Juneteenth! This exhibit is presented in four sections: Mother Africa, American Chattel […]
Our virtual Capitol Hill tour brings the iconic Capitol complex to life. Our energetic tour guide Becca shares the stories behind some of our most powerful national symbols and explores […]
In this activity, you will consider the experiences of several Chinese people who were exhibited in an ethnographic display at the 1899 National Export Exposition.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Asian Americans have experienced increased racism and hate crimes. While these incidents of increased prejudice and violence occur today, they reflect a long history of how […]
As the Civil War trudges on, enslaved people continue to make choices toward obtaining freedom. Emancipation wasn’t a single event and didn’t necessarily mean freedom. How did enslaved and newly […]
The Suffrage Centennial and women's history initiatives like the Heinz History Center's "Women Forging the Way" offer curators and archivists opportunities to preserve these stories and raise awareness for future […]
Were the options clear cut for people going into the American Civil War? Who were making those decisions and why? Join us in thinking about what informed choices for Americans […]
This learning resource explores the life and legacy of Shirley Chisholm, an extraordinary woman who paved the way for women and people of color in the U.S. Congress and beyond!
During World War II, the United States government forcibly removed over 120,000 Japanese Americans from the Pacific Coast. These individuals, two-thirds of them U.S. citizens, were sent to ten camps […]
Best known as a widely respected NAACP organizer, Daisy Lampkin spent decades tirelessly crusading for civil and women’s rights through a variety of local and national organizations.
42% of Americans – including over 50% of Millennials and Gen Z’ers – now identify as independent voters. But not everyone is allowed to participate, including large and growing numbers […]
42% of Americans – including over 50% of Millennials and Gen Z’ers – now identify as independent voters. But not everyone is allowed to participate, including large and growing numbers […]
As the Civil War trudges on, enslaved people continue to make choices toward obtaining freedom. Emancipation wasn’t a single event and didn’t necessarily mean freedom. How did enslaved and newly […]
Electing the House is a collection of learning resources to explore how voting patterns have changed over time. Interactive maps, videos and Tweets are included to learn how the House […]
Were the options clear cut for people going into the American Civil War? Who were making those decisions and why? Join us in thinking about what informed choices for Americans […]
The Suffrage Centennial and women's history initiatives like the Heinz History Center's "Women Forging the Way" offer curators and archivists opportunities to preserve these stories and raise awareness for future […]
This learning resource explores the life and legacy of Shirley Chisholm, an extraordinary woman who paved the way for women and people of color in the U.S. Congress and beyond!
This three-minute video highlights the women's suffrage movement in Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois and technology that gave women the time and capacity to advocate for the vote. The video […]
Hear from Lisa Kay Solomon, designer in residence and lecturer at the Hasso Plattner Institute of Design (d.school) as she discusses designing the presidency and shaping the future.
The National Archives Foundation's series about the women’s suffrage movement and its lasting impact on future generations. As part of a larger initiative in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of […]
It is often believed that 1863 is the turning point of the Civil War, but for Americans at the time, there was no end in sight. For those in the […]
In crisis situations, Americans normally look to political leaders for direction, words of comfort, empathy, and solutions. Often overlooked are the words and deeds of a powerful group of non-elected […]
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Asian Americans have experienced increased racism and hate crimes. While these incidents of increased prejudice and violence occur today, they reflect a long history of how […]
Use this interactive 3D tour to explore the RI State House! This tour can be viewed on a computer, mobile device, or by using Google Cardboard (or a similar VR […]
This collection of reflections and resources offers to point the audience toward several important works that we find useful and accessible when talking about the social unrest begun in 2020. […]
Are the tactics used by suffragists to fight for political power still effective? Suffrage and the passage of the 19th Amendment marked an important moment in the progression of women’s […]
We the People: The United States is a country founded by the people for the people, but who are the people? Throughout history, the answer to that question has changed. […]
Now more than ever, this country and our world are facing some of the most consequential issues. Learn to be a problem solver, a change agent in your local community. […]
The Gene A. Burd Institute on Media & Politics is an engaging and hands-on digital experience created to introduce students to the intersection of media and its relationship to politics. […]
Practical exercises that help individuals and/or groups practice the habits of mind associated with engaging in Better Arguments.
Did women gain the right to vote in 1920 for the first time, or was the 19th amendment a return to a more natural and balanced governance system? Passamaquoddy Tribe […]
Brush up on key terms to know when studying the history of DC voting rights through a matching activity and suggested reading.
The right to vote is the most elemental right of citizenship. Or is it? Through an examination of who could vote in Connecticut and under what circumstances, with a particular […]
Do you know what it takes to become an American? This quiz features questions from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services naturalization exam paired with objects from the New-York Historical […]
What Every American Should Know, an initiative of the Aspen Institute’s Citizenship and American Identity Program, is a nonpartisan exploration of the elements of cultural and civic social literacy for […]
On July 16, 2020, historian and author George Derek Musgrove and former Washington Post journalist Bob Levey presented the history of the DC statehood fight and discussed if it is […]
The Conversationalist is the go-to destination for Gen Z. We are a multimedia platform and global digital community empowering young people everywhere to have conversations that matter. Our community of […]
Then & Now: The Relevance of History in Current Events, are a series of Google Classrooms designed to create historical context for the stories we see in our social media […]
Freedom Summer 1964 is a free digital interactive that explores key events surrounding the early years of the Civil Rights Movement, the 1964 Mississippi voter registration drive, and the eventual […]
How can every citizen have a voice? Town meeting each spring in Vermont is central to its identity as a little state that does things differently. But what happens when […]
This is an essay contest for residents of Founders' Place ages 15 - 21 and 22 - 30. Participants can choose from four topics. Write an essay over one of […]
Test your knowledge of major elements of DC voting rights history through this eight-question quiz. Best accessed using Chrome browser
This article explores youth activism in the South before, during, and after the civil rights campaigns led by Martin Luther King Jr.
This article explores the rediscovery of Juneteenth in the twenty-first century and how it has become an important American holiday.
Downtown history tours often focus on the architecture of buildings and the businesses they held. Invariably, these stories primarily focus on men. The aim of this tour is to depart […]
JANM’s Chief Curator Karen Ishizuka moderated a discussion with Russell Jeung (SF State University), Taz Ahmed (Good Muslim, Bad Muslim Podcast), Renee Tajima-Peña ("Asian Americans" series producer), and Robin Toma […]
This award winning, multi-faceted project went beyond the collection and transcription of interviews on African American history and civil rights by providing thousands of Kentuckians with multiple platforms for connecting […]
"9066 to 9/11" focuses on the parallels between the post-September 11 treatment of Arab Americans and Muslims in this country with treatment of Japanese Americans after the start of World […]
Explore this virtual exhibit reviewing the 100-year history of the public library system in Charlottesville, Virginia.
A Stanford designer developed a design-based approach to help first-time voters navigate the ambiguity of election season. Here are a few lessons from that work.
In commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the 26th Amendment, join the National Archives Foundation for a virtual program exploring the history of civic engagement among youth, the impact that […]
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 […]
The COVID-19 pandemic brought to light some of the longstanding challenges workers and vendors experience across the food system, from agricultural fields to city streets, grocery stores to processing facilities. […]
This deliberation guide focuses on the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, encouraging students to examine the choices the Californio indigenous people faced in June 1849 as they determined how they would […]
Have you always wanted to meet with your Senators and/or Representatives but don't know where to start? Use this guide to see how to schedule meetings, who to contact, what […]
2020 marked the 100th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment which enfranchised half of the population by granting women the right to vote. Learn about Margaret Brown’s own […]
Join us for a panel discussion about Unity in the Community with local leaders, State Representatives, and Lathrup Village residents. This is one component of our Juneteenth Celebration. Social distancing […]
Join the National Archives for its first-ever virtual July 4th celebration! For 50 years, the Archives has celebrated the founding of the United States with a traditional reading ceremony of […]
Throughout US history, women toiled to improve their communities and to obtain the right to vote. Even after the passage of the 19th amendment, Black men and women continued to have […]
Sunday, July 26, 2020 marked the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, an integral piece of civil rights legislation which made it a violation of federal law to […]
Many Americans are food insecure, but are traditional food pantries and soup kitchens the best models for providing long-term support? In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, anti-hunger efforts new […]
Attorney and Civil Rights icon Fred Gray played a pivotal role in the push for equality. Join the National Archives Foundation for a chance to hear rare first person accounts […]
Divided We Fall: Unity Without Tragedy reveals ordinary people wrestling with what it truly means to be an American, the divides that prevent unity, and what we can do to […]
Join us as we explore the development of Black wall streets, how Black businesses found success and struggled throughout the 1900s, and what inequality looks like for Black entrepreneurs today […]
Use this resource to explore one Japanese American family's experience of incarceration during World War II. Utilizing artifacts donated to JANM by the Gihachi Yamashita family, this resource includes an […]
Imagine radical visions into reality. The 2020 Awakening featured more than 100 billboards by over 85 artists in all 50 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin […]
This is an assortment of photographs from the Photographic History Collection of photographs and photographic objects that include an American flag.
This is a selection of photographs from the Photographic History Collection related to activism, protests, marches, and reform movements.
After the 15th Amendment banned voter discrimination, Southern states still barred most African Americans from the polls. Women campaigned until 1920 for their right to participate in elections—they continue to […]
The intuitive and easy-to-use Citizen You mobile app is designed to foster civic engagement by gamifying everyday civic actions. The FREE app helps bring together citizens of all ages to […]
Are there limits to the types of speech we protect? What happens when a publication threatens national security? How do we keep the practice of one religion from impinging on […]
This is the live launch of the Educating for American Democracy initiative.
Explore objects and archival materials that feature more than 150 years of Presidential history with a Western Pennsylvania connection.
This collection of Educator Resources rely on primary sources to explore different aspects of the Reconstruction period after the Civil War. You can use each of these for your own […]
Equality’s Call: The Story of Voting Rights in America by Deborah Diesen rhythmically takes you on a journey to the founding of our nation and the establishment of one of […]
Be inspired by the life and career of Shirley Chisholm and create a work of art that represents your seat at the table.
If you had to edit the Declaration of Independence, could you? Would you search for formatting and grammatical errors or would you focus on the content? Maybe you would do […]
Perfect for creators of all ages, this activity book is designed to supplement the KCET and JANM’s Watase Media Arts Center co-produced documentary, "Masters of Modern Design: The Art of […]
Explore documents about women's suffrage - the struggle’s length, the movement’s techniques, and the variety of arguments for and against giving women the vote, in the period following passage of […]
Meet young leaders who are fighting for social justice and equity, founding change-making organizations, and fearlessly speaking their truth.
In the last presidential election, less than half of eligible young people voted. Why? After all, countless initiatives have been launched to register and mobilize these voters. School lectures stress […]
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. […]
This virtual field trip to Ft. Monroe helps unpack controversy and examine how we remember and commemorate the past.
This exhibition explores voting rights in the Civil War era and the 15th Amendment.
In both the Richmond Bread Riot of 1863 and the ongoing protests against police brutality, we hear the voice of people who suffer from inequitable systems – in 1863, it […]
This walking tour looks to open the eyes of visitors to the forgotten stories of some of the awesome women buried at our nation's premier military cemetery. We will examine […]
Learn how a civil rights murder in 1964 has inspired a national movement of young people to vote and engage in civic life today with special guests Maxim Thorne (Andrew […]
In 1981, the Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians (CWRIC) heard the testimonies of Japanese Americans across the country who spoke out for the first time about this […]
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 […]
Help the Rhode Island State Archives transcribe the daily calendar of the President of the Rhode Island Women's Suffrage Association. Learn who she met with and what she did. This […]
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 […]
“Untold" is a free collection of short, compelling, history videos and animations designed to: engage new audiences in a new conversation; shine a light on the stories that don’t always […]
John Brown was a polarizing figure in American history, and his raid of Harpers Ferry in support of slavery’s abolition - and subsequent capture and execution- was a pivotal moment […]
Join The Andrew Goodman Foundation for Rise Up Weekend: We Organize, We Vote, We Lead on June 25 from 12-5 p.m. ET! With expert and celebrity speakers to engage participants […]
National Week of Conversation 2021 invites Americans of all stripes to listen, extend grace, and discover common interests. Find conversations near you, virtually or in person, and explore topics with […]
Initiative 13, sponsored by Save Our Moral Ethics, sought to repeal Seattle’s ordinances protecting gay and lesbian employment and housing rights and to abolish the Office of Women’s Rights. The […]
Power is like a language: the better we can understand, interpret, and “read” how power works, the better mastery we achieve. If we think of it this way, “fluency” in […]
Check out the Illinois State Museum’s new website In Her Footsteps: Women’s History Trail to explore the lives of 13 extraordinary Illinois women with an interactive map showing Illinois landmarks […]
Ida B. Wells-Barnett was an investigative journalist, civil-rights activist, and suffragist. Wells gained national recognition for her journalistic investigations of lynching in the American south. She eventually moved to Chicago […]
On July 4th, 2021, the National Archives will lift the words of the Declaration of Independence off of its well-worn parchment and bring them to homes across the country through […]
Dr. Larry J. Sabato, the creator of the political "Crystal Ball" at the University of Virginia, shares his thoughts on immigration, citizenship, Thomas Jefferson, and being at Monticello for the […]
In August of 1939, the Civil Rights movement in Alexandria came to the forefront during the Alexandria Library Sit- in, one of the first Civil Rights actions to take place […]
Use History@FedGov portal to learn about the history of the federal government! What do different government departments and agencies do? find resources here! Learn about how your government works and […]
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 […]
On the first episode of the APS podcast, host Dr. Patrick Spero interviews Dr. Kathleen Hall Jamieson about the attack on facts and what that means for how well the […]
Design a voter registration campaign that encourages other young people to become active voters.
The Moton Mailbag is a weekly listener question podcast in which our listeners submit questions for Moton Museum staff to answer. Questions are focused on African American history, museum education, […]
If You Don't Know Now You Know (IYDKNYK) is a special podcast through the Moton Museum. Each episode will take a dive into a specific history topic, individual, etc., and […]
A six-episode podcast series about the unfinished struggle for women’s voting rights, Amended highlights the stories of women who faced discrimination on the basis of race, class, and citizenship status […]
In the first 10-episode season of our podcast Is That a Fact?, we explore the question of how American democracy can survive the onslaught of misinformation that has infected our […]
Learn about the history of voting and what you can do to protect and expand voting rights.
In this pilot episode of the Students Speak Out Podcast, host Simone St. Pierre Nelson interviews fellow high school student Balqies Mohamed on her experiences being civically engaged in her […]
Learn about 15 Kentuckians inducted into the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights Hall of Fame for their work in promoting a more inclusive Kentucky and making change in their county, […]
From the hand-drawn typeface on the book cover of The Godfather to Herman Miller’s biomorphic coffee table, the work of Japanese American artists/designers including Ruth Asawa, George Nakashima, Isamu Noguchi, […]
Since 1945, there have been many changes and events in society that have had significant impacts. Learn about how these changed the world, and how they have impacted you with […]
In the US, political institutions are often seen as neutral, but in fact they reflect choices and compromises about how we balance between majority and minority interests. How can different […]
Come celebrate July 4th with the citizens of 1836 Prairietown! Decorate the town with festive red, white, and blue bunting, and help the citizens of 1836 Prairietown rehearse speeches and […]
The American Exchange Project is a fully-funded (that's right, FREE) summer exchange program for recently graduated high schoolers. We all should see the country in which we live, to experience […]
Black Citizenship in the Age of Jim Crow explores the African American struggle for full citizenship and racial equality that unfolded in the 50 years following the Civil War.
Moderated by Rebecca Roberts, author of "Suffragists in Washington DC," the panel will discuss how the 19th Amendment centennial adapted to 2020, where efforts succeeded, where they fell short, and […]
This discussion with staff at the Japanese American National Museum and producers and members of the University of Pennsylvania’s program in Asian American Studies on August 12, 2020, explored the […]
In this program, writers Frank Abe and Tamiko Nimura will come together for a conversation and reading of their graphic novel "We Hereby Refuse: Japanese American Resistance to Wartime Incarceration." […]
Today, with partisanship as extreme as it’s ever been, the idea of civic unity often feels like an unachievable goal. But there is still a lot that can be done, […]
Are you curious about how Ohio's court system works? Join the Civic Education staff of the Ohio Supreme Court to learn more about our state's judicial branch and your role […]
Explore this thematic and inquiry-based JANM microsite, which integrates photographs, letters, artwork, oral histories, and moving images from our permanent collection to share stories from all ten of the War […]
Be Washington is a first-person interactive leadership experience. Come face to face with challenges that George Washington confronted as commander in chief and the president in four key scenarios that […]
These interviews, recorded between 1978 and 1980, allowed surviving veterans of the First World War to share their experiences, in their own words. The recordings have been digitized and are […]
Explore and engage in conversations surrounding JANM's collections using video conferencing technology. Virtual Visit fees start at $125.00 for up to 30 participants. Fee waivers are available for Title I […]
We are regularly exposed to the message that in a democracy, such as the United States, our voices matter. We are encouraged to vote—to participate in the electoral process—to be […]
This week in History Club on Clubhouse, we welcome back the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History and the "Made By Us" project for a Civic Season conversation. Civic Season […]
Curious about Global Civics? Join the World101 team for a night of trivia and be entered to win prizes! The event is from 7:00 PM-8:00 PM on Tuesday, June 29th.
America Talks (June 12-13, A Weekend of Connection in the Midst of Deep Division) will bring thousands of Americans together across differences to engage in one-on-one, face-to-face conversation on video […]
Electing the House is a collection of learning resources to explore how voting patterns have changed over time. Interactive maps, videos and Tweets are included to learn how the House […]
Are the tactics used by suffragists to fight for political power still effective? Suffrage and the passage of the 19th Amendment marked an important moment in the progression of women’s […]
A special permanent gallery on New-York Historical’s fourth floor features a detailed re-creation of the White House Oval Office, where presidents have exercised their powers, duties, and responsibilities since 1909. […]
In this short and snappy video, former Justice Yvette McGee Brown explains how Ohio’s court system works from the trial courts all the way to the Ohio Supreme Court.
In crisis situations, Americans normally look to political leaders for direction, words of comfort, empathy, and solutions. Often overlooked are the words and deeds of a powerful group of non-elected […]
This three-minute video highlights the women's suffrage movement in Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois and technology that gave women the time and capacity to advocate for the vote. The video […]
Over the years Congress has embraced reforming the institution, but that process often was voter driven. Might the current hyper-partisanship be an equally impactful event that will change the way […]