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Why Teachers Trust It
- Standards-aligned: Fits AP U.S. History and most state frameworks.
- Narrative-driven: Builds inquiry, critical-thinking, and writing skills.
BRI's free, online U.S. History resource for high schoolers
BRIng America's Story to Life!
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Explore This Resource
Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness
Quickly find curriculum planning tools, featured resources, professional learning opportunities, and educator testimonials.
Expertly Developed
Designed by Teachers, Grounded in Scholarship
This landmark project brings together more than 90 contributing scholars and 10 scholar editors, each dedicated to telling America’s full story with integrity and balance. They worked alongside Bill of Rights Institute staff, many of whom are former educators, to create a free resource for teachers who understand the realities of crowded schedules, diverse learners, difficult topics, and limited budgets.
90+
Contributing Scholars
10
Scholar Editors
Free
For Teachers and Students
What Teachers Love About It
- Completely free: No licenses, subscriptions, or additional fees.
- Available anywhere: Use printable PDFs or access the curriculum digitally.
Getting Started
Where Should You Start?
Each chapter centers on an Inquiry Organizer, your turnkey teaching backbone. It outlines objectives, background resources, and assessments while encouraging open discussion.
- Lead inquiry-based discussions that meet AP standards.
- Differentiate instruction for multiple reading levels.
- Encourage evidence-based writing and analysis.
- Connect history lessons to civic virtue and character.
Free Digital Curriculum
A Complete Digital Textbook Designed by Teachers, for Teachers
Help your students connect ideas, events, and civic principles across 250 years of the American experiment. Join thousands of teachers using Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness to make history vivid, rigorous, and alive.
Start Teaching Today
Plan your year with suggested pacing
Bill of Rights Institute has developed a scope and sequence using Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness content to cover a one school year U.S. History or AP U.S. History course.
Browse the Inquiry Organizers
Professional Learning
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Looking for Additional Support?
Build your content knowledge and teaching skills with BRI’s self-paced eLearning microcredentials for educators.
What Are Educators Saying about this Resource?
Christopher E.
“I cannot think of a single reason why a teacher would not use this.”
Travis F.
“Thank you for making LLPH open to all and promoting equity.”
Andi M.
“I’m not sure how the school year would have worked out without your book.”
History With Purpose
A Story-Driven U.S. History Resource
Help your students understand history, not just memorize it. Each unit connects primary sources, compelling stories, and classroom-ready activities into coherent themes that foster civic reasoning and meaningful dialogue.
