Skip to Main Content

Civics is something to learn and something to practice.

The Bill of Rights Institute helps teachers and students engage seriously with American history, civics, and the practice of self-government. Every resource is free.

Explore ResourcesSee Our Impact
Two women engaged in conversation while working on laptops, sitting on a blue couch.
Graphic featuring four educational cards on topics: Founders of the Constitution, Government & Politics, Votes for Women, and Life, Liberty, & the Pursuit of Happiness.

Explore American history and the ideas that shape our government

Help students examine founding documents, weigh historical evidence, and consider enduring questions about liberty, equality, and constitutional government. Explore more than 6,000 free lessons, primary sources, essays, and videos—designed with teachers and reviewed by scholars.

Explore Free Resources

get started

Two smiling women hold up stickers while standing together in a casual indoor setting.

For Teachers

Classroom-ready resources for teaching American history and civics.

Explore more than 6,000 lessons, primary sources, essays, videos, and other resources you can use today. Designed with teachers, reviewed by scholars, and always free.

Explore Teacher Resources: For Teachers
A woman in a red blazer speaks at a podium as two young people listen attentively in a library setting.

FOR STUDENTS

Explore history. Exchange ideas. Make an impact.

Examine primary sources, explore debates about government and citizenship, and find opportunities to contribute to your community through contests, leadership programs, and more.

Explore Student Opportunities: FOR STUDENTS
Logo for the Civic Star Challenge featuring a star in red, white, and blue with text above and below it.

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH ICIVICS

The Civic Star Challenge

The Civic Star Challenge recognizes K-12 educators who are bringing its enduring themes to life in their classrooms. $50,000 in educator awards!

Enter the Challenge
A woman in a blue and white floral blouse smiles in front of a wooden wall.

Featured

Meet Rachel Morris, BRI’s National Civics Teacher of the Year

Every day, teachers create opportunities for students to ask questions, wrestle with ideas, and practice the skills of civic life. Meet this year’s winner and see what thoughtful civic education looks like in [his/her/their] classroom.

See Rachel's Story
Black and white image of the U.S. Capitol building with a blue abstract design background.

Stronger teaching. More thoughtful participation.

Through teachers, BRI helps students examine evidence, discuss difficult questions, and develop their own informed judgments. Your support makes these learning opportunities available in classrooms across the country, at no cost to educators.

Support our work
  • 100,000Teachers in our network
  • 49%Of U.S. secondary social studies teachers
  • 9.8MStudents reached every year
  • 6,000+Free resources
  • 100%free to educators

Stories from the BRI Community

Behind every lesson, conversation, and civic project is a story. Meet some of the teachers and students who make BRI’s work matter.

More Stories

Support BRI

Help more teachers. Reach more students.

Your support keeps BRI resources free, helping nearly 100,000 teachers bring trusted history and civics resources to millions of students each year.

Donate NowOther Ways To Support
A young woman with long braided hair gestures while speaking, wearing a button-up sweater against a contrasting background.

Join a nationwide community of civics educators

Get free resources, classroom ideas, and program opportunities from BRI delivered to your inbox.

Sign up for Free