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Dear John,
July 4, 1776, signified an enduring promise to strive for liberty, equality, and justice for all. But at the time the Declaration of Independence was written, a few groups were left behind. As we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the American Founding, recall the stories of Black Americans throughout our history who strived for a realized version of the Founding principles.


Our
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Interactive Black History Timeline examines the remarkable stories of Black Americans from the American Revolution to present day, using primary sources from our
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Plainest Demands of Justice Black history resource .


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Begin Our Interactive Black History Timeline


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The Prince Hall Freedom Petition
Examine the
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1777 Prince Hall Freedom Petition to the Massachusetts legislature. Analyze how Prince Hall and other petitioners asserted their natural and unalienable rights, as documented in the Declaration of Independence, and condemned slavery as a violation of their humanity and liberty. As students watch the video, ask about their views on the lasting impact of these arguments in confronting the paradox of slavery and freedom in the American Republic.

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"A More Perfect Union" Speech, 2008
In 2008, Barack Obama gave a speech in Philadelphia that echoed another Founding document,
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"A More Perfect Union."


Use Obama's speech to help student visualize the progress that was made in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries in the fight to realize the Founding principles of liberty, equality, and justice for Black Americans, and what work is left to be done.


Presidents Day Resources

After his 2008 presidential campaign, Barack Obama made history as the the first Black President of the United States of America. Celebrate the legacy of the highest office of the land from George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and the other 43 men who held this office throughout America's history with our
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Presidents Day playlist .

Student Opportunities!


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Debating Matters: Transatlantic (DMTA)

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Debate & Leadership Institute


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National Civics Bee(R)

This program is a virtual and in-person debate training and competition open to students currently in grades 9-11. Share the
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Virtual Qualifier Application before the deadline on Sunday, Feb. 22.

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Debate & Leadership Institute is a 5-day student debate program sponsored by
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Founding Forward and the Bill of Rights Institute in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, on July 20-24, 2026. Share the application before the deadline on Friday, May 1.

Encourage students in grades 6–8 to explore an issue in their community, propose a solution, and compete for recognition and prizes at the
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National Civics Bee(R) . The deadline closes on Feb. 17, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. HST.



BOE: Bottom of Email
Hi John,


The Bill of Rights Institute has more than 6,000 primary sources, ready-made lessons, engaging videos, and other additional educator resources. Searching our extensive collection of materials for Black History Month, Presidents Day, testing, or review, just became a lot easier!


BRI is happy to introduce our new AI Search Assistant! The AI Search Assistant sifts through our resource library through user queries and full questions.




The AI Search Assistant is available now via the search bar, the search results page, and an AI search chat. Take advantage of the AI Search Assistant today and begin searching our hundreds of lessons and classroom-ready activities, or our
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Current Events page for your next classroom activity.

Warmly,

Laura Vlk

Director, Educator Engagement

Bill of Rights Institute







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