Citizens of the United States have celebrated Independence Day and Presidents' Day …
Citizens of the United States have celebrated Independence Day and Presidents' Day since the 1870s, and in 2005, the nation began to celebrate Constitution Day. Also know as Citizenship Day, Constitution Day is an American holiday honoring the day 39 delegates to the Constitutional Convention signed the United States Constitution. This historic date was September 17, 1787.
When the Founding Fathers weren't out fighting wars, drafting important documents like …
When the Founding Fathers weren't out fighting wars, drafting important documents like the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution, or helping to found a country, they were at home with their families and businesses. Here are the places the Founding Fathers called "home," and some interesting facts about each man's personal estate.
In May, 1787 the 55 Delegates to the United States Constitutional Convention …
In May, 1787 the 55 Delegates to the United States Constitutional Convention set off to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Traveling in the late 18th century wasn't easy, and what would take modern Americans just hours took the Founding Fathers weeks. The Delegates from New Hampshire were particularly unlucky, and wouldn't arrive at the Convention until the middle of July, after it had already been in session for two months!
The United States Constitution continues to be America's guiding document. Join James …
The United States Constitution continues to be America's guiding document. Join James Madison as he explores the Constitution and his hopes for the future of the country.
Join Thomas Jefferson on July 2, 1776, as he discusses the impending …
Join Thomas Jefferson on July 2, 1776, as he discusses the impending Declaration of Independence, and the promises made by that work. Will his dreams be fulfilled? And what will the legacy be of the document?
John Jay was a man of great achievement. During his lifetime he …
John Jay was a man of great achievement. During his lifetime he was a Founding Father, Signer of the Treaty of Paris, Second Governor of New York, and First Chief Justice of the United States.
In this one-minute video, students learn about the judicial branch of government. …
In this one-minute video, students learn about the judicial branch of government. A host explains the structure and function of the judicial branch, and students will analyze the role that the judicial branch plays in the United States government.
What is jury duty, and why is it important? In this one-minute …
What is jury duty, and why is it important? In this one-minute video, students learn about jury duty. A host explains what a jury is and how juries are selected, then students consider why jury duty is an important civic duty.
Can’t make it in-person? Join our special livestream of the Sunday presentation …
Can’t make it in-person? Join our special livestream of the Sunday presentation of "An Evening with the Presidents.” Join Washington, Jefferson, and Madison this President’s Day weekend for a special LIVE! from History online evening event. The Presidents will explore how their administrations navigated party, faction, and the extensive differences that challenged America during their times. Recognizing that throughout our history, the United States has been a nation divided politically with different opinions and points of view. This was as much the case in our infancy as it is today. Hosted by Barbara Hamm Lee.
In colonial Virginia, those that followed religions other than the Church of …
In colonial Virginia, those that followed religions other than the Church of England were considered dissenters.” Meet some of Williamsburg’s religious dissenters and hear about their hopes for change.
Join George Mason, author of the first draft of the Virginia Declaration …
Join George Mason, author of the first draft of the Virginia Declaration of Rights, on May 27, 1776. Hear about its creation, his opinion on the necessity of a bill of a rights, and the debate that ensued.
After spying for the Marquis de Lafayette, James was not given his …
After spying for the Marquis de Lafayette, James was not given his freedom and continued to fight for years after to gain it. He fought for even longer to ensure the freedom of his family. Looking back on his life, James Lafayette talks on the challenges he faced being a newly freed Black man in a lawfully unequal society.
Meet Myrtilla, an enslaved mother and houseservant owned by Thomas Everard. She …
Meet Myrtilla, an enslaved mother and houseservant owned by Thomas Everard. She has lived in Williamsburg all her life and seen many changes take place throughout the city, including whispers of revolution. Come hear her perspective on the what has happened and what the Declaration of Independence means for herself, her children, and others in her condition.
Yorktown, Virginia was the location for the American and French army's most …
Yorktown, Virginia was the location for the American and French army's most significant victory of the Revolution on October 19th, 1781. This victory, led by General George Washington, would set the United States on the path to independence. Join General Washington and General Lafayette as they discuss the campaign of 1781 and the siege of Yorktown.
America has a long history of protest, and how to protest appropriately” …
America has a long history of protest, and how to protest appropriately” is a hotly debated issue today. What did some of the nation’s founders think about the right way to protest?
Who makes the laws? In this one-minute video, students learn about the …
Who makes the laws? In this one-minute video, students learn about the legislative branch. A host describes the structure and functions of Congress, and students consider the significance of a two-chamber system.
In this social studies activity, students will review their understanding of the …
In this social studies activity, students will review their understanding of the legislative branch of government using Nearpod's interactive quiz game, Time to Climb.
How does Congress gather information, and how does it use that information …
How does Congress gather information, and how does it use that information to create legislation? How can this research impact the lives of Americans in both the short and long term? How can a bill that has been deemed unconstitutional still inform future legislation?
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