The Local Communities Hoping America’s 250th Birthday Will Help Bridge Divides
Ask students: Who is Theodore Johnson? What is the "Us@250 Initiative"? What organization sponsors it?
This summer, many of the celebrations for America’s 250th birthday will be grand in scope. But in communities across the country, smaller celebrations are also taking place, hoping to use some of the year’s patriotic energy to engage neighbors and transcend political divisions that can overshadow so much of civic life today.
View the transcript of the story.
NOTE: If you are short on time, watch the video and complete this See, Think, Wonder activity: What did you notice? What did the story make you think about? What would you want to learn more about?
Warm-up Questions
- Where is the reenactment being held?
- Who is Theodore Johnson?
- What is the "Us@250 Initiative"? What organization sponsors it?
- How are the Warm Cookies of the Revolution uniting people in civic engagement through their Tax Day Carnival?
- Why do the Warm Cookies of the Revolution consider themselves a "civic health club"?
Essential Questions
- Theodore Johnson says, "the best future of the country is in our communities and not here in D.C.," arguing for more grassroots (local) efforts to observe America's 250 anniversary rather than national or federal programs, which he says is too tied to political polarization (division). Do you agree? Why or why not?
- How do you think communities can best honor America's history while still recognizing its faults? Explain.
Media literacy: The PBS News Hour segment featured a variety of interviews from community organizers like Theodore Johnson and Adrian Molina, to re-enactors like John Dwyer, and the many attendees at the local community events featured in the segment.
- Why do you think News Hour's Judy Woodruff included several interviews in this segment?
- How do the interviews enhance or add to the segment's overarching story?
What Students Can Do
Find out what local, county or state events are taking place to observe America's 250th anniversary(For example, take a look at America250PA.)
- What event(s) are they hosting?
- What communities and grassroots groups are involved in the planning and execution of the event(s)?
- What activities will the event(s) have?
- How are the event(s) uniting different groups of people?
- Do the event(s) have a specific theme or overarching ideal?
- How do the event(s) engage youth?
If your local community does not have any formal events planned, think of some ideas for events you would like to host, using the following questions to help guide you:
- Would your event be more historical in focus, like the reenactments of the Battle of Bound Brook, or would your event be focused on more modern-day issues, like the Tax Day Carnival hosted by the Warm Cookies of the Revolution?
- Would you partner with local historical organizations or advocacy initiatives to help bridge divides and promote civic engagement and political participation?
- Would the events be more informative or interactive?
Written by Claudia Caruso, PBS News Hour Classroom's intern, and News Hour's Vic Pasquantonio
Republished with permission from PBS News Hour Classroom.
America at 250: From Revolution to Republic
This collection traces the nation’s journey from colonial life and growing resistance to British rule, through the Revolutionary War, the Declaration of Independence, and the creation of a new constitutional government. Organized thematically, the resources support instruction in U.S. history, civics, and ELA while encouraging inquiry, discussion, and critical thinking.
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