Happy Thanksgiving from BRI!

The Bill of Rights Institute wishes you and your family a happy and safe Thanksgiving holiday! Before you head out to gather with family or friends, be sure to check out our playlist of Thanksgiving resources.

Our Thanksgiving playlist includes multiple resources, including an episode of our "Fabric of History" podcast explaining the history of Thanksgiving and why it is still significant today.

The playlist also includes a lesson on the colonial origins of American republicanism and an activity based on a sermon delivered to the first English settlers in North America.

What Led The Pilgrims To North America?

What spurred the Pilgrims to embark on their journey to North America? What awaited them once they arrived? Our Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness resource features this scholar essay about those early settlers, which was written by Malcolm Gaskill from the University of East Anglia.

Of course, the first Thanksgiving is only one anecdote within the larger story of European arrival in North America. This lesson explores the complicated story of interactions between Native peoples and English settlers.

Ask Your Students To Think The Vote!

Our latest Think The Vote question looks at ballot initiatives. Those are voter-led measures where proposed constitutional amendments or laws in states are put directly to the people for a vote. For example, Ohio residents voted this month on a ballot initiative regarding abortion policy in the state.

Those who argue in favor of ballot initiatives say it is the best way for citizens to make their voices heard on important issues. While those who argue against such initiatives say doing so does not fit with America’s constitutional republic form of government.

So should states use ballot initiatives to make major policy decisions? Students can share their thoughts on this Think The Vote question until Wednesday, Dec. 6.

Use These Thanksgiving Lessons In Your Classroom!

Even though Thanksgiving is upon us, there is still an opportunity for you to share the history behind this important holiday with your students.

As part of her special Thanksgiving message, BRI's own Mary Patterson shares some lessons she believes will deepen your students' knowledge of this holiday and answer some important questions.

Apply for the 2023-24 Student Fellowship Program!

Time is running out to apply for the Bill of Rights Institute 2023-24 Student Fellowship program! This is open to students who are 15-18 years of age and are high school juniors or seniors (or equivalent). The Student Fellowship offers robust programming throughout the school year and includes meeting as a group twice a month, and it culminates with a trip to the Washington, D.C. area.

The 90-minute, twice-monthly group meetings include a short reading, discussion, and writing assignment on why civil society is important in America. Visit this page for more information and to sign up. Applications for the 2023-24 Student Fellowship program are due on Friday, Dec. 1.

BOE: Bottom of Email

Dear John

In his 1956 Thanksgiving Day proclamation, President Dwight Eisenhower asked us to be “grateful that the foundations of freedom in our nation grow stronger with each passing year.”

During these divisive, polarizing times, it can be easy to question the strength of our foundations.

This is why your work as civics and history teachers is so important — and gives us so much hope.

Every day in your classrooms, you are connecting young people to America’s Founding principles, like liberty, equality, and justice. You are helping students learn to engage in civil discourse and understand their rights and responsibilities as citizens.

You are strengthening the foundation of our country, and it is our great honor to support you.

I hope Thanksgiving will give you an opportunity to connect with loved ones and recharge your batteries for the rest of the school year ahead. Your work matters more than ever, and we are grateful for you each and every day.

Warmly,

David Bobb
President and CEO
Bill of Rights Institute

Copyright © 2023 Bill of Rights Institute, All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is:
1310 North Courthouse Road, Suite 620 Arlington, Virginia 22201

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.