The 4th of July is a time to celebrate, commemorate, and remember the declaration that led to the creation of our nation. For most of the 248 years since then, we as Americans, had a shared understanding of that moment and its importance. Is this still the case? Do we still have that shared understanding? And, if we don’t, what are the implications for our future?
For many, the answer is civic education. But if we define civic education as the study of the practical aspects of citizenship and the rights and responsibilities of citizens, including the study of the nuts and bolts of government – the three branches of government, federalism, and the rule of law, is this enough?
As the essays highlighted below by William McClay and Allen Guelzo explain, the answer is no.
Civic education begins with an understanding of history. It is not enough to know how our government works. We need to understand the experience of those who created it and how they developed. This understanding of history is not simply a deeper dive into the philosophical or theoretical underpinnings of our republic; it is a key component to creating “a sense of membership” in our society.
This is why the work of Founding Forward starts with history, not simply by listening to lectures or reading, but through immersive, inspirational programs, that take place where much of this history happened, Philadelphia and Valley Forge. Whether it is our student or teacher programs, exhibits or speaker programs, the importance of understanding history, what happened and why, is a critical starting point for any truly effective civics lesson. With an increasing pace of change in our world today, it is more important than ever to understand past events, and how they changed the course of history. Learning about our past gives insight into why things are the way they are now and gives individuals a sense of belonging to something bigger. It is a key component to productive citizenship.
Allen Guelzo’s essay on the “10 Things Everyone Should Know About American History,” was originally published by the American Council of Trustees and Alumni (ACTA) with generous philanthropic support in honor of James H. McGraw, the founder of McGraw-Hill Publishing Company. It is reproduced here with the gracious permission of ACTA and its president, Dr. Michael Poliakoff.
One of the leading American historians of our time, Guelzo’s list is a fascinating curation of ten of the most critical events and movements that shaped who we are as a nation. As such, it is a great starting point to understand why “We the People” can only continue to exist if we share a basic understanding of how we became as Lincoln so aptly said, “The last, best hope on earth.”