People may participate in politics in many ways. They can write their …
People may participate in politics in many ways. They can write their Representative or Senator, or work in for a candidate or political party. They can make presentations to their local school board or city council, or call the police to complain about the neighbor's dog. Partly because of our federalist system, people have many opportunities to participate in our democracy on federal, state, and local levels. Some forms of participation are more common than others and some citizens participate more than others, but almost everyone has a voice in government.
Harry S Truman man of the people. John F. Kennedy …
Harry S Truman man of the people. John F. Kennedy bold, articulate leader with a great deal of charisma. Richard Nixon introspective President with a deep knowledge of and interest in foreign policy. Each person who has held the office of President has brought to it a unique style. Each style reflects a President's character.
Even though the Founders surely intended that Congress hold a great deal …
Even though the Founders surely intended that Congress hold a great deal of power over the judicial branch, in reality the basic organization of federal courts has remained basically the same throughout U.S. history. Congress has created new courts and reorganized others, and the system has grown increasingly complex. The courts have a great deal of independence, however, and they have established the judicial branch as a strong coequal to Congress and the president.
Public education is the single largest expenditure for state and local governments …
Public education is the single largest expenditure for state and local governments across the nation. Yet it is arguably the most criticized. Many people charge that public schools are faltering and that American academic achievements are far behind those in other countries. In recent years, many states and localities have experimented with improving public schools.
The 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution, ratified just months after …
The 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution, ratified just months after the end of the American Civil War, abolished enslavement and involuntary servitude—except as a punishment for a crime—in the entire United States. As passed by Congress on January 31, 1865, and ratified by the states on December 6, 1865, the full text of the 13th Amendment reads:
This resource from the National Constitution Center includes an introduction, big questions, …
This resource from the National Constitution Center includes an introduction, big questions, recorded class sessions, briefing documents, slide decks, and worksheets about the fourteenth amendment of the United States Constitutuion.
The 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution deals with several aspects …
The 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution deals with several aspects of U.S. citizenship and the rights of citizens. Ratified on July 9, 1868, during the post-Civil War era, the 14th, along with the 13th and 15th Amendments, are collectively known as the Reconstruction Amendments. Although the 14th Amendment was intended to protect the rights of formerly enslaved people, it has continued to play a major role in constitutional politics to this day.
The 15th Amendment, ratified on February 3, 1870, extended the right to …
The 15th Amendment, ratified on February 3, 1870, extended the right to vote to Black American men seven years after the emancipation proclamation deemed the enslaved population free. Giving Black men voting rights was yet another way for the federal government to recognize them as full American citizens.
The 16th Amendment to the United States Constitution gives Congress the power …
The 16th Amendment to the United States Constitution gives Congress the power to collect a federal income tax from all individuals and businesses without sharing or “apportioning” it among the states or basing the collection on the U.S. Census.
In this activity, students will analyze a historical map showing percentages of …
In this activity, students will analyze a historical map showing percentages of enslaved people by county following the 1860 Census. Students will form an understanding of the distribution of slavery in the southern United States prior to the Civil War.
The sections of articles about the U.S. Virgin Islands and Senegal have …
The sections of articles about the U.S. Virgin Islands and Senegal have statements from two sets of authors. One article in each section is a general, inclusive statement written by a member of our curatorial staff. Employing a point of view generally defined by Smithsonian imperatives for "the increase and diffusion of knowledge," the author engages in the characteristic practices of the Festival. These include: identifying and valorizing traditional cultural practices; explaining them primarily in historical, economic, and social terms; replying to popular stereotypes and supplanting them with empirically derived characterizations; representing geographically and historically bounded cultural wholes. The other statements are written by authors from the geographic areas featured- the U.S. Virgin Islands and Senegal. These articles are more richly detailed. They address a variety of audiences, reply to a variety of implicit and explicit assertions, and are couched in a variety of styles. They have, of course, been solicited, selected, and edited - processes which are ineluctably based in our Institutional practice. We hope that in spite of this practice, and also in some degree because of it, these short critical pieces do incorporate a variety of voices speaking on noteworthy aspects of folklife. In this sense, the organization of this year's Program Book represents the practice of the Festival as a whole. The dialogue of viewpoints, understandings and of cultural styles strengthens the discourse of our national cultural Institution.
This resource from the National Constitution Center includes an introduction, big questions, …
This resource from the National Constitution Center includes an introduction, big questions, recorded class sessions, briefing documents, slide decks, and worksheets about the nineteenth amendment of the United States Constitutuion.
Oak Hill Publishing (Constitution Day 2019): ConstitutionFacts.com has been conducting surveys since …
Oak Hill Publishing (Constitution Day 2019): ConstitutionFacts.com has been conducting surveys since 2007. Last year, more than 100,000 people took the ConstitutionFacts.com online poll. The 10-question quiz tests knowledge about the Constitution and Constitution history. Upon completion of the quiz and before receiving their scores, participants were asked to provide demographic details about themselves. Quiz takers then had the opportunity to share their scores via Facebook or email and to take a more extensive 50-question quiz. More than 35% of quiz takers tested their knowledge with the longer U.S. Constitution quiz. Read the report of the survey results.
The "Cultivating Our Culture, Conserving Our Land" challenge is an initiative tailored …
The "Cultivating Our Culture, Conserving Our Land" challenge is an initiative tailored for classrooms throughout the Virgin Islands, encouraging them to engage in environmental stewardship activities interwoven with the cultural heritage and history of the territory. This challenge aims to inspire classrooms to develop and execute projects addressing local environmental issues while highlighting the cultural and historical significance of the Virgin Islands. It also fosters a deeper understanding among students of their role as stewards of both their natural and cultural heritage. By encouraging collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking in solving environmental challenges with a cultural perspective, the challenge provides a unique platform for holistic learning and community engagement.Challenge submissions due on April 19th, 2024Submittal form here
The Digital Storytelling and Oral History Project is a student-centered initiative designed …
The Digital Storytelling and Oral History Project is a student-centered initiative designed to connect young learners with the heritage stories of their community's past through the art of storytelling and the practice of oral history collection. This project encourages students to become active participants in the preservation of their cultural heritage by engaging with elders, community leaders, and family members to document stories, legends, personal histories, and the lived experiences of their community.
The 26th Amendment to the United States Constitution bars the federal government, …
The 26th Amendment to the United States Constitution bars the federal government, as well as all state and local governments, from using age as a justification for denying the right to vote to any citizen of the United States who is at least 18 years of age. In addition, the Amendment grants Congress the power to “enforce” that prohibition through “appropriate legislation.”
An interactive map that shows electoral college results for presidential elections. Also …
An interactive map that shows electoral college results for presidential elections. Also includes historical elections back to 1789, and various elections for Senate, House of Representatives, and governors. Students can also interactive with and manipulate the map to see how elections would have turned out with different results.
This resource from the National Constitution Center includes an introduction, big questions, …
This resource from the National Constitution Center includes an introduction, big questions, recorded class sessions, briefing documents, slide decks, and worksheets about the 27 amendments of the United States Constitutuion.
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