Civic Season

Tour Guide Tell All Podcast
2099-01-01 00:00 UTC | DC by Foot, United States
Local D.C. tour guides bring history to life with the Tour Guide Tell All podcast. Confront the often scandalous and incendiary past through conversations about dynamic individuals and inciting events that help shape us today. Focused on storytelling and tourism, this podcast is the history class you wished you’d had in school.

Tour Gadsby’s Tavern Museum with special National Anthem exhibit
2099-01-01 00:00 UTC | Historic Alexandria, United States
Tour Gadsby’s at your own pace and immerse yourself in the spaces and stories of the tavern and early America. Learn how all social classes and people—free and enslaved, men and women, African American and white—were part of not just the tavern, but the creation of Alexandria and the young nation through exhibits and interactives. While touring, enjoy the special, interactive exhibit “Reflecting on the National Anthem.”

Thomas Jefferson and the Declaration of Independence
2099-01-01 00:00 UTC | Thomas Jefferson Foundation, Monticello, United States
Thomas Jefferson, interpreted by Monticello’s Bill Barker, discusses the events leading up to and prompting the Declaration of Independence.

Voting & States Rights—Rights for All?
2099-01-01 00:00 UTC | Connecticut Explored, United States
It’s important to understand the role of states in extending—and limiting—the right to vote. We might think that voting as a right for everyone was part of our founding values—but history tells us differently. Protecting your right to vote begins at your state legislature.

Visit the Cabinet Room of President Abraham Lincoln
2099-01-01 00:00 UTC | Abraham Lincoln Center for Character Development, United States
The Lincoln Heritage Museum, and the Abraham Lincoln Center for Character Development, is an interactive museum dedicated to telling the story of the life of Abraham Lincoln, and the character qualities he developed. The mission is to learn lessons from one of the greatest figures in history on how to live out our lives differently. The museum is open 9-4 Tuesday through Friday, and 1-4 on Saturdays.

Stronger Together: Black Liberation and Asian Solidarity
2099-01-01 00:00 UTC | Japanese American National Museum, United States
In November 19, 2020 The USC Pacific Asia Museum, the Chinese American Museum, and the Japanese American National Museum presented “Stronger Together: Black Liberation and Asian Solidarity” virtually.The discussion covered the historic moment in the movement for Black lives and the importance of cross-movement solidarity and coalitional consciousness. The panelists reflected on the history of Black-Asian solidarity and what we can learn from the past in order to live in a liberated future. The panel also offered thoughts on how we move forward following the much anticipated November 3, 2020 presidential election results.
Collaboration between the Japanese American National Museum, the USC Pacific Asia Museum, and the Chinese American Museum.

Smithsonian Estudios Sociales en Línea
2099-01-01 00:00 UTC | Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, United States
Participa en una exploración en línea de temas clave en estudios sociales, presentando recursos de museos de la institución Smithsonian.

Hear American Stories from Soldiers
2099-01-01 00:00 UTC | National Museum of the United States Army, United States
Highlighting the experiences of soldiers, both renowned and lesser-known. The Museum honors the accomplishments, commitment, and sacrifice of those who have served and creates a rich tapestry of history in times of war and peace. Each soldier’s story adds a new thread to the fabric of the American story. Visit in person to learn more – admission is free and timed tickets are required.

Hear American Stories from Soldiers
2099-01-01 00:00 UTC | National Museum of the United States Army, United States
Highlighting the experiences of Soldiers, both renowned and lesser-known, the Museum honors the accomplishments, commitment, and sacrifice of those who have served and creates a rich tapestry of history in times of war and peace. Each soldier’s story adds a new thread to the fabric of the American story. Visit in person to learn more – admission is free and timed tickets are required.

Check Out A Starting Point for Bitesized Ways to Stay Informed.
2099-01-01 00:00 UTC | A Starting Point, United States
A Starting Point is a video-based civic engagement platform created by Chris Evans, Mark Kassen, and technology entrepreneur Joe Kiani. ASP’s mission is to create a bipartisan channel of communication and connectivity between Americans and their elected officials with the goal of creating a more informed electorate.

Explore videos and materials at AStartingPoint.com.

Suffrage Walking Tour of Salt Lake City
2099-01-01 00:00 (Pacific/Niue) | Better Days, 300 N. State Street, Salt Lake City, UT, 84103, United States
Did you know that the first women to vote under equal suffrage laws were in Utah? And that they were the only women whose voting rights were revoked by Congress? Utah women’s political participation was controversial because of the practice of polygamy, and their right to vote was attacked as soon as they cast their first ballots in 1870. Retrace the steps of the first voting women in Salt Lake City while learning about the contentious and complicated twists and turns of their history. From gaining the right to vote in 1870, losing it in 1887, and restoring it in Utah’s 1896 constitution, Utah suffragists knew how to lobby, parade, petition, and persuade to win women’s voting rights, decades before the passage of the 19th Amendment.
You can print out your own self-guided walking tour of Salt Lake’s suffrage sites, explore them online, or pick up a printed guide at Council Hall on 300 N. State.

Get in the Game
2099-01-01 00:00 UTC | AllVoteNoPlay, United States
“Whether you realize it or not as an athlete, you have a great impact and influence amongst peers and young people and others and this is a time to use it.” – Senator Cory Booker
Watch Senator Cory Booker, former Stanford football player, talk about his belief that “Democracy is not a Spectator Sport.”
After you watch this short video, discuss how you and your team – in sports, school or your community – will “get on the field” to support Democracy.

Calling all Athletes: Map Your Power
2099-01-01 00:00 UTC | Citizen University, United States
Calling all athletes and athletes-in-training. You’re stronger than you think! How about flexing your civic muscles by mapping out the access to power that you have?
Citizen University has outlined three strategies that you can use to ensure you’re stepping up: 1) Get literate in power 2) Map where power flows 3) Refine your argument to move to action.

America We Want To Be: Founding Aspirations
2099-01-01 00:00 UTC | Living Room Conversations, United States
When the Declaration of Independence was written, not everyone was included in the famous statement about “pursuit of Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.” And while the aspirations expressed in our founding documents resonate for some more than others, there are many views regarding the degree to which we have advanced these aspirations for everyone. Some focus more on the great strides we have made; others point to how far we still need to go. Some believe that focusing on the past prevents forward progress; others think we still need to come to terms with our shadow side. This conversation guide walks folks through exploring this topic together.

Track Legislation on Congress.gov
2099-01-01 00:00 UTC | Library of Congress, United States
Have you ever wanted to track the progress of a piece of legislation the same way you track a pizza delivery? Well you can! Congress.gov is the official website for U.S. federal legislative information. The site provides access to accurate, timely, and complete legislative information for Members of Congress, legislative agencies, and the public–and features a bill tracker!

Young People Shake Up Elections (History Proves It)
2099-01-01 00:00 UTC | Smithsonian National Museum of American History, United States
With and without the vote and throughout American history, young people have been a force to be reckoned with as they take action and stand in support of the issues that matter most. In 2020 this legacy will continue; millions of young people will be eligible to vote in American elections for the first time and countless more will likely participate in the electoral process in other ways. The Young People Shake Up Elections (History Proves It) video series from the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History shares 10 stories of young people shaping and changing elections throughout American history.
The Videos
Each video features a cast of teens telling two stories of young people impacting American electoral politics and reflecting through critical dialogue on what it means to be a young person participating in elections today. The videos end with a prompt to spark conversation among your students about the public issues they care about and how they might take part in the upcoming elections.

Revolutionary Story Time: D is for Democracy
2099-01-01 00:00 UTC | American Independence Museum, United States
Each Revolutionary Story Time provides you with a story, a little history, some activities and a lot of fun! Our latest edition features “D Is for Democracy: A Citizen’s Alphabet” by Elissa D. Grodin. This book is an alphabet book that explores many topics related to the creation and workings of American government and American society. Activities include holding your own election, creating a personal motto, and illustrating the preamble to the US Constitution.

Gerrymandering and Redistricting
2099-01-01 00:00 UTC | New American History, United States
How might citizens help shape the future of Congressional representation and combat Gerrymandering?
The founders included “The People” in the redistricting process for a reason. Communities of Interest are one element of the process to create a fair district.

History Film Forum: LFG
2099-01-01 00:00 UTC | Smithsonian National Museum of American History, United States
The History Film Forum is an online series from the Smithsonian that explores history on the screen and the evolution of film as public history.
Three months before the 2019 World Cup, all 28 players on the most successful soccer team in American history file a lawsuit against their employer, the US Soccer Federation, for equal pay. LFG documents this piece of history in the making, going behind the scenes to share the triumphs and struggles of the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team as they fight to change the game for themselves and for generations of women to come.
Join Academy Award-winning directors Andrea Nix Fine and Sean Fine, producer Abby Greensfelder, and U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team captain Becky Sauerbrunn with moderator Ken Cohen, curator at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, for a conversation exploring the filmmaking process and this historic fight.
Presented by the Smithsonian Associates and Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History through generous support of Dan Manatt.

American Democracy Virtual Exhibition
2099-01-01 00:00 UTC | Senator John Heinz History Center, United States
The History Center examines the bold experiment to create a government “of the people, by the people, and for the people” in its dynamic online exhibition, American Democracy: A Great Leap of Faith. Developed in partnership with the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History and the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES), the exhibit showcases the history of how we’ve voted, protested, and engaged with our politics, from the nation’s formation to today. The exhibit was on view at the History Center in 2021.

The Abolitionist Movement and John Brown
2099-01-01 00:00 UTC | State Historical Museum of Iowa, 600 E. Locust, Des Moines, 50319, United States
A resource developed in partnership with the Library of Congress, from the earliest days of our nation’s history, there were those who were opposed to the practice of slavery and wanted to “abolish” it. They became known as the abolitionists. It is important to know that, before the Civil War, the abolitionists were always small in number.
Abolitionists played a major role in supporting the Underground Railroad.
John Brown was a radical preacher determined to stir up a massive slave rebellion in the South. He gathered and trained a small band of followers on a Quaker farm near Springdale in Cedar County, Iowa. His assault on Harper’s Ferry, Virginia, failed to rouse slaves to rebellion, and he was captured and hanged. However, he became a symbol of resistance to slavery throughout the North and an object of deep hatred in the South.
Students will reflect on the following questions:
How did public opinion about John Brown change after his raid at Harpers Ferry?
How did Iowans view John Brown’s actions to help slaves escape?
What imagery did supporters of John Brown use to justify his actions?

Talking About Politics: Conversation Resources
2099-01-01 00:00 (Pacific/Niue) | Living Room Conversations, United States
Talking about politics has a bad rap for being divisive. Our guides are designed to help you navigate this space. If you are interested in meeting with the same group or bringing dialogue to your community, our conversation pathways may be a great place to start.

History Film Forum: The People vs. Agent Orange
2099-01-01 00:00 UTC | Smithsonian National Museum of American History, United States
Nearly 60 years following the use of Agent Orange in the Vietnam War, the devastating aftereffects of the toxin remain lethal. This film follows two activists – Tran To Nga and Carol Van Strum – as they take on the chemical industry. Demanding accountability, they work to mitigate the deadly legacy caused by using this poisonous herbicide in their communities.

Presented by Smithsonian Associate and the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History through the generous support of Dan Manatt and Democracy Films.

Come See Steel City - Solidarity Between Union Leaders and a Community
2099-01-01 00:00 UTC | History Colorado’s El Pueblo History Museum, 301 N. Union Ave., Pueblo, CO, 81003, United States
Explore the power of solidarity among union and community members in Pueblo, Colorado. The exhibition “Steel City: 1980-2004” looks at individual and collective actions leading up to, during, and after a historic strike. Through oral histories, historic photographs, and newspaper clippings, experience the resilience of an industrial community through changing technology and economic forces.

Civics at the New York Public Library
2099-01-01 00:00 UTC | The New York Public Library, NY, United States
Explore resources, events, and opportunities for civic engagement at the local, state, and national levels. This site will help you discover ways you can take action in your community!
Topics include Voter Education: Your Voice Matters, Civic Responsibility: Doing Your Part, Youth Empowerment + Activism: New Leaders, Community Building: Stronger Together, and Collections Engagement: Bringing History to Life.

Around the World with World101
2099-01-01 00:00 UTC | World101 from the Council on Foreign Relations, United States
From Afghanistan to Zimbabwe, World101 is celebrating #CivicsSeason with a TikTok trip around the world!
Make your way to World101’s TikTok channel and follow us before Tuesday, June 14th when we will be wheels up on our 193-part TikTok series, exploring all the countries that comprise this interconnected world we share. It’s our way of showcasing #GlobalCivics and why understanding the forces, actors, and history that shape modern global affairs is an essential part of twenty-first century citizenship.
For curious first-time fliers, World101’s TikTok channel is home to hundreds of fun, fact-checked micro-lessons about the world and how it works. Our viral video posts are remixes of World101, an award-winning learning platform from the Council on Foreign Relations that uses multimedia and jargon-free language to introduce students of all ages to the fundamentals of foreign policy and international relations.

Civil Rights: Before, During and After the World Wars
2099-01-01 00:00 UTC | State Historical Museum of Iowa, United States
A resource developed in partnership with the Library of Congress, asks should you fight for a country that is fighting against you? “Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain.” That is the official motto of the state of Iowa. Liberties and rights refer to our freedoms to pursue our own goals, but they must balance those with the rights and liberties of others. Rights and liberties often deal with restrictions on what the government can do, but they also include what we can or cannot do to others.
Students will reflect on the following questions:
What is the story of the disenfranchised Iowans who contributed to Iowa’s effort during World War I?
Did their contribution to the war effort influence society’s beliefs about each of these groups of Iowans?
Did the public support these disenfranchised groups and their contributions to the war effort, or did they continue to treat these groups poorly?

Reconstruction and Its Impact on Human Rights
2099-01-01 00:00 UTC | State Historical Museum of Iowa, Des Moines, United States
A resource developed in partnership with the Library of Congress asks, “was Reconstruction a success?” The Reconstruction Era lasted from the end of the Civil War in 1865 to 1877. Its main focus was on bringing the southern states back into full political participation in the Union, guaranteeing rights to former slaves and defining new relationships between African Americans and whites. While very little fighting occurred on Iowa soil and Iowa had never legalized slavery, black migration of former slaves into the region and the national focus on civil rights forced Iowa to reconsider its own racial relations.
Students will reflect on the following questions:
How did the presidential election of 1876 end Reconstruction?
How did the U.S. Supreme Court originally interpret the Constitution’s Reconstruction amendments?
How did the South restore white supremacy after the fall of Reconstruction?

Women's Suffrage Movement
2099-01-01 00:00 (Pacific/Niue) | State Historical Museum of Iowa, Des Moines, IA, United States
A resource developed in partnership with the Library of Congress asks, “why did it take so long for women to get the right to vote?” Sex and gender are two different concepts. Sex refers to biological differences while gender relates to the roles and expectations culture assigns to each group. Every culture struggles with adjusting the roles of men and women to secure a just and harmonious society. Several factors like religion, science, tradition and technology influence gender roles. By tradition, men had near exclusive domination of politics in the United States, but that began to change in the 19th century with increasing urbanization, educational opportunities for women and changes in home responsibilities.
Reflect on the following questions:
What attitudes about their gender and expected role in society did women need to overcome to gain the right to vote?
What tactics did suffragists use to convince society they deserved the right to vote?
What impact did the 19th Amendment have on women and their government?
