In 1787, the U.S. Constitution was signed by 39 brave men who changed the course of history. On this virtual field trip, learn more about our form of government, our civic heritage, and the places where it all started.
Forming “a more perfect union.” The Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History presents “American Democracy A Great Leap of Faith,” an online exhibit that explores the “radical idea” that entrusted the power of the nation in its citizens. In this “Founding Fragments” video, get a behind-the-scenes look at treasures in the museum’s collection of more than 3 million artifacts of America’s history, including the Star-Spangled Banner.
We the People… With the Interactive Constitution from the National Constitution Center, learn about the text, history, and meaning of the U.S. Constitution. The center hosts online Scholar Exchanges for older students. Meet the framers in short biographies and download a free e-book on the Constitution from the National Archives.
Inside the U.S. Capitol. Take the official virtual tour of the U.S. Capitol Complex, with stunning images from our nation’s capitol building, support buildings, and grounds. Discover virtual exhibits and videos about preservation and renovation efforts and cool programs of the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center.
National Archives. Explore the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights in the National Archives, and take a tour with the national archivist. With Founders Online, find more than 183,000 searchable documents from our Founding Fathers. The National Archives Catalog contains 110 million digitized pages of historical records, all searchable! Find more Archives activities and resources for ES, MS, and HS students.
Library of Congress. Go behind the scenes of the largest library in the world! Check out 10 treasures that are housed in the Library of Congress (LOC). Younger students can discover America’s Story from America’s Library. Celebrating its 220th birthday, the LOC is home to digital collections— from Lincolniana to historic U.S. newspapers to content in the public domain that’s free to use and reuse. Discover amazing items in LOC’s collection, including historical recordings in the National Jukebox, film, maps, manuscripts, photos, personal narratives, and more.
Independence National Historical Park. Featuring the stories, locations, and people of history-rich Philadelphia, this national park shows visitors the birthplace of a nation. Online, listen to the story of the Liberty Bell in this podcast and hear it ring, and tour Independence Hall. Kids can participate in Junior Ranger Challenges.
About the Legislative Branch. Article I of the Constitution established the Legislative Branch of our government. Take a virtual tour of the “People’s House” and explore the history, art, and archives of the U.S. House of Representatives online. Discover how the House has changed since 1789 and how this legislative body works. Learn about the art and history of the U.S. Senate, including interactive exhibits and essays about the art and architecture, history, and people of the Senate. Find Senate legislation and records, past and present.
About the Executive Branch. Established with Article II of the Constitution, the Executive Branch is the seat of the presidency. Tour the White House, its art collection, and the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. Visit the National Portrait Gallery to view the U.S. Presidents exhibit and research America’s presidents. At the National Museum of American History, discover more about this “glorious burden” and find additional resources.
About the Judicial Branch. And, Article III of the Constitution established our government’s Judicial Branch. Tour the U.S. Supreme Court, meet the justices, and see the cases before the Court this session.
Be counted. Every 10 years— including the 2020 Census this year— we conduct a count of all people living in the United States to inform decisions based on where people live. Take a tour of the U.S. Census Bureau.
Voting Rights for Women. This year marks the centennial of the ratification of the 19th Amendment, giving women across the country the right to vote. Find primary sources documenting the Women’s Suffrage Movement. Visit the Women’s Rights National Park in Seneca Falls, N.Y. Check out exhibits from the National Archives, the Library of Congress, and the National Museum of American History.
Civil Rights Movement. Through the African American Civil Rights Network, the National Park Service is commemorating, honoring, and interpreting the history and significance of the Civil Rights Movement— from its start in the 1940s to the modern Civil Rights Movement and beyond. At the Martin Luther King, Jr., National Historic Park in Atlanta, tour MLK’s childhood home, discover primary sources of Dr. King’s work, and more. Through primary sources, learn about the impact of grassroots activism in rural Mississippi in the 1960s. And, meet the state’s first African American senator elected in modern times, the man who desegregated Georgia’s Capitol in 1963.
We’ll be sharing more tips so watch for the next installment of DLD Daily Dozen!