BRI Lines Up For America’s 250th Birthday

<p>On June 7, 1776, 250 years ago, Richard Henry Lee stood and offered a resolution to the Continental Congress, that &#8220;these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States&#8230;&#8221;</p>

<p>In less than a month of debate and deliberation, the Declaration of Independence was passed, and a new nation was founded. The Bill of Rights Institute stands ready to support teachers and students as they mark this and many other important dates in the United States 250th birthday year.</p>

<p>BRI is participating in multiple initiatives that will both entertain and educate, including the creation of an A250 curriculum kit, that supports educators with physical and digital materials to teach about America&#8217;s 250th birthday.</p>

<p>The planned kit supports the Institute’s new middle school curriculum,<a href="https://www.billofrightsinstitute.org/curricula/building-a-self-governing-people-civics-us-history-for-middle-school"> Building a Self-Governing People</a>. It includes a deconstructed document-based question activity, “Decoding the Declaration,” and is expected to be made available to teachers this year.</p>

<p>Teachers and students can also enjoy a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBjemLhDhcNGEZcipaXZXjoDJxY6Fo0QN">whole playlist of mini-documentaries</a> for A250, courtesy of BRI’s YouTube channel. The short documentaries cover events related to the principles found in the Declaration of Independence and span the entirety of American history.</p>

<p>BRI will also provide a newsletter and specific landing page for all things A250. Along with resources, it will also include a timeline of the American Revolution.</p>

<p>BRI is also supporting In Pursuit, a project headed up by former archivist of the United States Colleen Shogan, which is an essay collection written by significant figures in American history and society. BRI will provide engaging video content for individuals, including James Madison, John Quincy Adams, Ulysses S. Grant, Grace Coolidge, and Lady Bird Johnson.</p>

<p>BRI also continues its work with iCivics on the <a href="https://civicstarchallenge.org/">Civic Star Challenge</a>, a nationwide initiative to inspire educators of civic learning in the lead-up to the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Keep visiting <a href="https://www.billofrightsinstitute.org/">BRI’s website</a> for the latest information and content related to America’s 250th birthday!</p>