Civic Season

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.

Online Exhibition "Chez Baldwin: An Exploration of the Life and Works of James Baldwin"
2099-01-01 00:00 UTC | Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture, 1400 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, 21560, United States
Chez Baldwin is a digital exhibition that explores James Baldwin’s life and works through the lens of his house in St. Paul de Vence, France, where he resided the last seventeen years of his life. Photographs of the interior and exterior of the house, a medieval villa, grace the pages of the section titled “Power of Place.” For Baldwin, his home in St. Paul was an enormously powerful place for writing, healing, and gathering.
The exhibition’s core also includes four additional stories that provide an introduction to Baldwin, insight into his international travels as well as details about his civil rights activism, and an overview of his literary career. Images of collection objects acquired from the house are integral to Chez Baldwin.
Also featured is a Learning Lab for teachers where a Baldwin literary achievements timeline, a listing of resources, links to NMAAHC public programs about Baldwin, and notes by authors who have recently written about Baldwin’s life in St. Paul can be found.

Racial Equity Resources
2099-01-01 00:00 UTC | Living Room Conversations, United States
The motto of Living Room Conversations is respect, relate, connect. We know that in the pursuit of racial equity, individual conversations are not the final stop in the journey. Conversations can help us better understand individual bias and racism, as well as consider how racism is part of our systems and institutions.
Our hope is that these conversation guides and resources will be one step in your process, and that you will use insights gained from the conversations to determine next steps for you and your community.

Living Room Conversations LIVE: Juneteenth
2099-01-01 00:00 UTC | Living Room Conversations, United States
In this Living Room Conversation LIVE, six Black community leaders gather to share what Juneteenth means to them, offer ways others can honor this day, and consider their vision for continued liberation.
Join us in this Living Room Conversations LIVE to witness a heartfelt conversation exploring themes of race, freedom, Juneteenth celebrations, and liberation.

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?

History Film Forum: My Name is Pauli Murray
2099-01-01 00:00 UTC | Smithsonian National Museum of American History, United States
Pioneering attorney, activist, poet, and Episcopal priest Pauli Murray was an incredibly influential figure of the 20th century who has largely been forgotten by history. Fifteen years before Rosa Parks refused to surrender her bus seat, a full decade before the U.S. Supreme Court overturned separate-but-equal legislation; Pauli Murray was already knee-deep fighting for social justice. Murray shaped landmark litigation—and consciousness— around race and gender equity. As an African American youth raised in the segregated South—who was also wrestling with broader notions of gender identity—Pauli understood, intrinsically, what it was to exist beyond previously accepted categories and cultural norms. Both Pauli’s personal path and tireless advocacy foreshadowed some of the most politically consequential issues of our time. Told largely in Pauli’s own words, My Name is Pauli Murray is a candid recounting of that unique and extraordinary journey.
Join Academy Award-nominated directors (RBG) Julie Cohen and Betsy West in a conversation with National American History Museum curator Fath Davis Ruffins as they explore the making of the film and why “you can’t teach American History without Pauli Murray.”
Presented by the Smithsonian Associates and Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History through generous support of Dan Manatt.
We also wish to thank Participant and Amazon Studios for their collaboration on this program.

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.

Holocaust and America's Response to Other Genocides
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, these materials look at the issue of genocide.
Following its defeat in World War I and the punitive peace treaty that followed, Germany fell into a deep and extended economic depression. Nationalist leaders found a willing audience when they looked for scapegoats who could be blamed for the country’s troubles. Adolf Hitler’s National Socialist Party claimed that the Jewish people were traitors during the war and a blight on the nation. Hitler claimed that the Aryan race (northern Europeans) were genetically superior to all others and that the Jews were inferior. When he rose to power in the early 1930s, he began to impose punitive policies to punish and shame the Jews.
While America knew about pre-war Nazi discrimination against the Jews, it did little to protest or demand an end to it. There was a heated debate in the nation about American involvement in or isolation from European disputes. The U.S. refused to expand its immigration policies to accept more Jews fleeing from Nazi persecution.
Reflect on the following questions:
What was the Holocaust?
How did America respond to the Holocaust?
How has America responded to other genocides?

Intertwined: The Enslaved Community at George Washington’s Mount Vernon (Podcast)
2099-01-01 00:00 UTC | George Washington’s Mount Vernon, United States
Intertwined tells the story of the more than 577 people enslaved by George and Martha Washington at Mount Vernon. Told through the biographies of Sambo Anderson, Davy Gray, William Lee, Kate, Ona Judge, Nancy Carter Quander, Edmund Parker, Caroline Branham, and the Washingtons, this eight-part podcast series explores the lives and labors of Mount Vernon’s enslaved community, and how we interpret slavery at the historic site today.
Intertwined is narrated by Brenda Parker. It is co-created and co-written by Jeanette Patrick and Jim Ambuske. The series is a production of the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association and CD Squared.

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.

Frances Brand's "Firsts" exhibit at The Center at Belvedere
2099-01-01 00:00 (Pacific/Niue) | Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society, 540 Belvedere Boulevard, Charlottesville, VA, 22901, United States
Frances Brand was an eccentric artist and activist in Charlottesville, VA during the later 20th century. Between 1974 and 1978, Brand painted 157 portraits of individuals she met and admired in the area. She referred to them as the “Firsts.” The subjects included notable women, civil rights leaders, pioneers in various fields, and those who broke color lines and shattered glass ceilings.
From July 1 to August 31, 2022, enjoy the exhibit “Firsts” from the Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society at The Center at Belvedere. Look for programs exploring Brand’s art from ACHS and The Center through the summer.

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.

Explore the Freedom's Way National Heritage Area
2099-01-01 00:00 UTC | Freedom’s Way Heritage Asociation, Fort Devens, MA, United States
The interactive Freedom’s Way National Heritage Area website lets you explore the nature, culture and history of 45 communities in Massachusetts and Southern, NH. Discover the area’s involvement in the American Conservation Movement, American Revolution and Transcendentalism. Then, create your own personal itineraries featuring the people, places and stories that make Freedom’s Way unique!

30 Stories for 30 Years
2099-01-01 00:00 UTC | American Independence Museum, United States
As the American Independence Museum marks its 30th anniversary, we are taking this opportunity to examine our interpretations of the past and introduce a 21st-century view of ten historic items in our collection. Each item presented includes a traditional interpretation and a contemporary interpretation to highlight the ways our understanding of history has evolved over time. By revisiting these interpretations, we are expanding the story to include Americans who have not always received recognition. We hope that this exhibition will show you how one object can tell many different stories.

Listening with Empathy and Humility
2099-01-01 00:00 UTC | National Institute for Civil Discourse, United States
Essential to a functioning democracy are people that are engaged in it together and willing to interact, discuss and safely debate the richness of diverse ideas and experiences with each other. One of the key elements to engaging with each other? Building understanding across differences, grounded in deep listening and empathy.
“Listening with Empathy and Humility” offers short videos with tips to help us engage differences constructively. It offers hope and insights with wisdom from the voices of everyday Americans, across race, age and political ideology.

American Indian Resistance to American Settler Colonialism in the Midwest
2099-01-01 00:00 UTC | State Historical Museum of Iowa, United States
American Indians developed several strategies to retain their homelands and resist dispossession at the hands of the federal government. Dr. Patrick J. Jung discusses the strategies of American Indians in the Midwest including overt forms of resistance such as warfare to covert, anonymous forms of resistance.

Immigration: Has America always wanted 'your poor, your tired, your huddled masses'? “
2099-01-01 00:00 (Pacific/Niue) | State Historical Museum of Iowa, IA, United States
A resource developed in partnership with the Library of Congress asks, “has America always wanted ‘your poor, your tired, your huddled masses’? “
Immigration is as old as human history. People move from one place to another for many reasons. When migration occurs across a national border, it is called immigration. When relocation happens within the same country, it is termed emigration. Historians often attribute the movement to “push-pull” factors. Sometimes conditions at home become so dangerous or challenging that people are forced to move elsewhere. Wars, famines, economic issues or political oppression are often “push” factors encouraging people to seek safety or better conditions somewhere else. Sometimes opportunities in a new land attract newcomers. Cheap and fertile farmlands in the United States lured hundreds of thousands of immigrants in the latter 19th century. Political and religious freedom, good jobs and educational opportunities “pulled” many to America to seek a fresh start in the states.
You’ll reflect on the following questions:
How have laws regulating immigration changed over time?
How have responses and support for immigrants and refugees evolved over time?
How have attitudes or viewpoints about immigration changed over time?

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.

#1 in Civil Rights Virtual Exhibit
2099-01-01 00:00 UTC | Missouri History Museum, United States
On September 22, 1964, a banner headline in The St. Louis American proclaimed St. Louis as the “Number One City in Civil Rights.” In the article, Judge Nathan B. Young argued that St. Louis—more than any other city in the US—was pre-eminent in the country’s struggle for civil rights based on the number of Supreme Court cases that originated in St. Louis and the city’s long history of protest that led to significant change.
Today the claim that St. Louis is the most important city in US civil rights history may seem surprising, but that’s because so much of St. Louis’s activist past has been forgotten. The country’s civil rights history has too often been written about a limited number of places during a limited period of time. In the process, cities such as St. Louis have largely been left out of the national narrative. “#1 in Civil Rights” reclaims that history.
This exhibit doesn’t aim to prove that St. Louis is the most important city in the country’s civil rights history, but it does argue that St. Louis’s freedom struggle is more substantive than is usually recognized—and that it’s too important to be ignored.
The content included in this digital experience was part of a larger exhibit entitled “#1 in Civil Rights: The African American Freedom Struggle in St. Louis.” The exhibit was created by the Missouri History Museum and was on display there from March 2017 to April 2018.

Over & Under: Wildlife Crossings
2099-01-01 00:00 UTC | Fourth Wall Films, United States
Why did the turtle cross the road? Better yet, HOW can a turtle cross a busy highway safely? Collisions between wildlife and automobiles are expensive, dangerous, and deadly for animals and people. “Over & Under: Wildlife Crossings” explores old and new methods that allow animals to move over or under our nation’s highways in search of food, shelter, and companionship. The stories behind two innovative and effective crossings for endangered turtles in Iowa and Wisconsin are featured, and the film makes a compelling case for the construction of wildlife crossings while it encourages motorists to do their part by minding “animal crossing” signs.

Camping While Black: African American Experiences in Iowa Summer Camps, 1925-1950
2099-01-01 00:00 UTC | State Historical Museum of Iowa, IA, United States
In the 1900s, summer camp was a quintessential part of American childhood. But not everyone had equal access to c camp. Explore the ways Black communities in the Midwest created opportunities for their children to attend residential summer camps with Dr. Sarah Eikleberry, Associate Professor and Assistant Chair in the Department of Kinesiology at St. Ambrose University.

Great Americans Award Program
2099-01-01 00:00 UTC | Smithsonian National Museum of American History, United States
The Great Americans Medal is awarded for lifetime contributions embodying American ideas and ideals. Explore the stories of each honoree through biographies and recorded interviews with David M. Rubenstein. Their inspiring stories empower people to create a just and compassionate future by exploring, preserving, and sharing the complexity of our past.
Previous honorees include Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Secretary Madeleine K. Albright, General Colin L. Powell, USA (Retired), Thomas J. Brokaw, Cal Ripken Jr., Billie Jean King, Paul Simon, and Anthony S. Fauci, M.D.

Engaging Differences - Key Principles and Best Practices
2099-01-01 00:00 UTC | National Institute for Civil Discourse, United States
Want to move our country towards a more perfect union? Start with engaging in conversations across differences to find common ground. This document provides several key principles and best practices that are essential to connecting across divides, including:

Empathy instead of vitriol
Listening for Understanding instead of hearing to overpower
Humility instead of all-knowing.

As you read them, consider reflecting on those that speak to you, or recall a compelling personal experience.

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.

Diverse Voices in Invention
2099-01-01 00:00 UTC | Smithsonian National Museum of American History, United States
Behind every invention, there is a story. Discover those stories here.
From Chinese-born scientist Dr. Chien-Shiung Wu who changed what we know about the atomic world to Garrett Morgan – known in his time as “the Black Edison” – this blog from the Lemelson Center explores how invention and innovation—past, present, and future—influence our lives.

Reform Movements in America
2099-01-01 00:00 UTC | State Historical Museum of Iowa, United States
A resource developed in partnership with the Library of Congress, asks how can citizens of a country affect change for the common good? The French commentator on American society in the 1830s, Alexis de Toqueville, observed that Americans are very quick to join together to promote whatever causes they favor, and there was certainly evidence around him. Reforms on many issues — temperance, abolition, prison reform, women’s rights, missionary work in the West — fomented groups dedicated to social improvements.
Students will reflect on the following questions:
What factors motivated antebellum reformers to take action?
What were the common strategies antebellum reformers used?
What did antebellum reformers achieve?
