250 to 250: 54. John Adams' Letters to Abigail, Narrated by Sara Georgini

 

Heather Cox Richardson and 250 to 250: John Adams' Letters to Abigail, Narrated by Sara Georgini

Dr. Sara Georgini is an American historian, author, and Series Editor for the ‘Papers of John Adams,’ at the Adams Papers Editorial Project at the Massachusetts Historical Society. Georgini shares how John Adams, writing to his wife Abigail in 1776, envisioned generations of Americans celebrating independence with pomp and parade—right about everything but the date.

In July 1776, the Second Continental Congress met in Philadelphia.

• John Adams was a delegate from Massachusetts.
• On July 2, Congress voted that the colonies should be free and independent.
• John Adams wrote a letter to his wife, Abigail Adams.
• He said the colonies were now free and independent states.
• On July 4, Congress approved the final words of the Declaration of Independence.
• John Adams believed Americans would celebrate this important event every year.
• He thought the celebration would be on July 2.
• Instead, Americans celebrate Independence Day on July 4.
• Every year on July 4, people celebrate the birth of the United States.

POP Interview and Civics Quiz:

• N-400 Part 5:02. Is your current spouse currently a member of the U.S. armed forces?
• USCIS 100:99.  When do we celebrate Independence Day?*
• USCIS 128:125. What is Independence Day?

Family Fun:

• Biography: John Adams | Abigail Adams
• History: Abigail Adams | Mrs. President
• MHS: Letter: John Adams to Abigail Adams, Philadelphia July 3. 1776
• National Archives: The Declaration of Independence
• NPS: Adams National Historical Park | Junior Ranger book
• NPS: Declaration of Independence Timeline
• PBS: The Declaration of Independence & Birth of the United States
• uscitizenpod: John Adams | Abigail Adams | John and Abigail Adams 1 | John and Abigail Adams 2 coloring pages
• VOA News: July 4? Try July 2, America's Real Independence Day 

250 to 250: 53. Mister Rogers, Narrated by Governor Josh Shapiro

Heather Cox Richardson and 250 to 250: Mister Rogers, Narrated by Governor Josh Shapiro

Governor Josh Shapiro is the 48th Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the home state to one of America’s most beloved neighbors, Fred Rogers. As a kid, Governor Shapiro grew up watching "Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood." Now as Governor, he uses those guiding principles of universal kindness to serve his neighbors across Pennsylvania.

Fred Rogers was from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

• He was the host of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood.
• He wore his famous red sweater on the show.
• For more than 30 years, he welcomed children into his television neighborhood.
• He taught children to be kind, honest, and caring.
• He told children to look for people who help others during difficult times.
• Many children felt that Mr. Rogers was their friend.
• He told every child, "I like you just the way you are."
• His words helped children feel safe and important.
• Fred Rogers made a positive difference in American families.
• Today, many people remember him for his kindness and care for children.

POP Interview and Civics Quiz:

• N-400 Part 6:02c. Where does your child reside?
• USCIS 100:55. What are two ways that Americans can participate in their democracy?
• USCIS 128:69. What are two examples of civic participation in the United States?

Family Fun: 

• Focus Features: Won't You Be My Neighbor | How Mister Rogers Saved PBS (clip)
• Latrobe Art Center: Fred Rogers coloring pages
• NPM: The Story Behind the Stamp: The Timeless Teachings of Fred Rogers
• PBS: Why Mister Rogers Still Matters Today | Full Documentary
• PCUSA: A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood 
• Penguin Classroom: Mr Rogers Teacher Resources
• Mr. Rogers Family Days: Festival
• Very Local: Guide to visiting all of the Fred Rogers’ sites in Latrobe, PA

250 to 250: 52. Three Flags Day, Narrated by Claire Conner McCaskill

 

Heather Cox Richardson and 250 to 250: Three Flags Day, Narrated by Claire Conner McCaskill

Claire Conner McCaskill is a former attorney, political analyst for MS NOW and NBC News, and known for being the first female Senator from Missouri. McCaskill recounts the "Three Flags Day" of 1804, when St. Louis passed from Spain to France to the United States in a single day.

In March 1804, St. Louis changed countries three times in 24 hours.

• First, Spain controlled St. Louis.
• Then France took control.
• One day later, the United States took control.

St. Louis is near the Mississippi and Missouri rivers.

• Native peoples lived in this area long before Europeans arrived.
• France gave the land west of the Mississippi River to Spain in 1769.
• Spain gave the land back to France in 1800.
• In 1803, the United States bought the land from France.
• On March 9, 1804, the Spanish flag was lowered.
• The French flag flew for 24 hours.
• On March 10, the American flag was raised.
• The Louisiana Purchase doubled the size of the United States.
• The United States renamed the Louisiana Puchase, the Missouri Territory.
• It also helped start westward expansion.

POP Interview and Civics Quiz:

• N-400 Part 9:32. Do you understand the full Oath of Allegiance to the United States?
• USCIS 100:88. Name one of the two longest rivers in the United States.
• USCIS 100:52. /128:66. What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance? * 
• USCIS 100:71 / 128:90. What territory did the United States buy from France in 1803?

Family Fun:

• Field Museum: Three Flags Day lesson plan
• Google Arts and Culture: Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site, United States of America
• Mystic Stamp Company: Three Flags Day
• NPS: George Rogers Clark National Historical Park: St. Louis: The way opened to the Pacific 
• NPS: Gateway Arch National Park | 2008 Junior Ranger Book | 2015 activity page
• NPM: Louisiana Purchase Exposition Issue
• SAAM: Westward Expansion (1801-1861)

250 to 250: 51. Civil War Income Taxes, Narrated by Danny Werfel

 

Heather Cox Richardson and 250 to 250: Civil War Income Taxes, Narrated by Danny Werfel

Danny Werfel served as 50th Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and is currently an Executive in Residence at the Johns Hopkins University School of Government and Policy. Werfel details how the Civil War spurred congressional Republicans to invent the income tax.

During the Civil War, the United States needed more money.

Congress created the first federal income tax.

• People paid taxes based on the money they earned.
• The government used the tax money to help pay for the war.
• Many leaders believed everyone should help support the country.
• Some newspapers said loyal Americans should pay the taxes.
• Congress wanted the tax system to be fair.
• People with higher incomes paid more taxes.
• People with lower incomes paid less taxes.
• Senator Justin Smith Morrill said taxes should match a person's ability to pay.
• The income tax helped the federal government during the Civil War.
• Today, income taxes continue to help pay for government programs and services.

POP Interview and Civics Quiz:

• N-400 Part 9:03. Do you currently owe any overdue Federal, state, or local taxes in the United States?
• USCIS 100:56. When is the last day you can send in federal income tax forms?*
• USCIS 128:71. Why is it important to pay federal taxes?

Family Fun:

• Coloring Book Fun: 62 Money Coloring Pages (Free PDFs)
• icivics: People's Pie game
• IRS: Understanding Taxes (many lesson plans and resources)
• PBS: Justin Morrill: Land for Learning (land-grant universities)
• Justin Morril supported economic opportunity for American through his legislation and tax reform.  His most notable contribution was the founding of public land-grant colleges in U.S. states, that focused on agriculture (fatming), engineering (mechanics), and mining.
• Personal Finance Lab : Taxation Lesson Plan

250 to 250: 50. Thurgood Marshall, Narrated by Governor Wes Moore

Heather Cox Richardson and 250 to 250: Thurgood Marshall, Narrated by Governor Wes Moore

Governor Wes Moore is a combat veteran, bestselling author, former nonprofit CEO, and is Maryland's first Black governor and the third black Governor elected in American history. Moore celebrates Thurgood Marshall, the legendary civil rights lawyer who won Brown v. Board of Education and became the first Black Supreme Court Justice.

Thurgood Marshall was a lawyer who fought for equal rights.

• He graduated from Howard University Law School.
• Marshall worked with the NAACP.
• He helped create the NAACP Legal Defense Fund.
• He used the courts to fight racial segregation.
• Marshall argued many cases before the U.S. Supreme Court.
• He won the important Brown v. Board of Education case.
• The Court ruled that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional.

In 1967, President Lyndon B. Johnson appointed Marshall to the U.S. Supreme Court.

• He became the first African American Supreme Court Justice.
• Marshall worked to protect equal rights and justice for all Americans.
• He encouraged people to protect and strengthen American democracy.

POP Interview and Civics Quiz:

• N-400 Part 9:07e. Have you EVER ordered, incited, called for, committed, assisted, helped with, or otherwise participated in causing harm or suffering to any person because of their race, religion, national origin, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion?
• USCIS 100:37. / 128:51. What does the judicial branch do?
• USCIS 100:28. / 128.52. What is the highest court in the United States? * 

Family Fun:

• Kulture Kidz: Thurgood Marshall Coloring Page
• NAACPLDF: Thrgood Marchall: LDF Founder and First President and Director-Counsel
• NMAAHC: Thurgood Marshall’s Desk
• NPS: Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial | trading cards
• NPS: Thurgood Marshall: A Legacy of Civil Rights Leadership
• Stamps: Thurgood Marshall
• Thurgood Marshall Center for Service and Heritage: Brown v. Board of Education
• Thinkport: Champion of Justice (many lesson plans)

250 to 250: 49. 16th Street Baptist Church Bombing, Narrated by Senator Doug Jones

Heather Cox Richardson and 250 to 250: 16th Street Baptist Church Bombing, Narrated by Senator Doug Jones

Senator Doug Jones is a prominent attorney and public servant who became the first Democrat elected to the U.S. Senate from Alabama in 25 years and is currently the state's Democratic nominee for Governor. Jones, who prosecuted the case decades later, remembers the four young girls killed in the 1963 16th Street Baptist Church bombing, a tragedy that galvanized support for the Civil Rights Act.

On September 15, 1963, a bomb exploded at the 16th Street Baptist Church.

• The church was in Birmingham, Alabama.
• Four African American girls were killed.
• Their names were Addie Mae Collins, Cynthia Wesley, Carole Robertson, and Denise McNair.
• Just a few days earlier, Black children had started attending formerly all-white schools.
• Some white supremacists opposed school integration.
• Members of the Ku Klux Klan planted the bomb.
• The bombing shocked people across the United States.

Many Americans supported stronger civil rights laws after the attack.

• In 1964, Congress passed the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
• Justice was delayed, but not denied.
• Years later, three former Ku Klux Klan members were convicted of the bombing.
• The tragedy became an important moment in the fight for civil rights and justice.

POP Interview and Civics Quiz:

• N-400 Part 9:07e. Have you EVER ordered, incited, called for, committed, assisted, helped with, or otherwise participated in causing harm or suffering to any person because of their race, religion, national origin, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion?
• USCIS 100:84.   What movement tried to end racial discrimination?
• USCIS 128:112. What did the civil rights movement do?

Family Fun

• Civil Rights Digital Library: Sixteenth Street Baptist Church Bombing Collection
• Gilder Lehrman Institute: Bombing of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church, 1963
• NMAAHC: America Sees the Truth
• NPS: Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument |  The Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963 (Voices from the Field / series)  | Junior Ranger book | 16th Street Baptist Church bombing (1963) 
• Spike Lee: 4 Little Girls trailer | video (stream on HBO or borrow the DVD on the library)
• Wikipedia: Timeline of the 1954-1968 civil rights movement
• Zinn Project: Sept. 15, 1963: 16th Street Baptist Church Bombing

250 to 250: 48. “All in the Family,” Narrated by Julia Louis-Dreyfus

Heather Cox Richardson and 250 to 250: “All in the Family,” Narrated by Julia Louis-Dreyfus

Julia Louis-Dreyfus is an award-winning actress, comedian, producer, and podcast host whose early work on shows like Family Ties, a spinoff of All in the Family, helped launch her storied career, including beloved roles in Seinfeld and Veep. Julia revisits All in the Family, the groundbreaking 1971 sitcom that used Archie Bunker and his family to tackle the era's most divisive issues.

All in the Family first aired in 1971.

• The show talked about important issues in American society.
• These topics included civil rights, the Vietnam War, abortion, and family disagreements.
• Carroll O'Connor played Archie Bunker.
• Archie Bunker often struggled with new ideas and social change.
• Rob Reiner played Mike Stivic, Archie's son-in-law.
• Mike and Archie often disagreed about politics and society.
• Jean Stapleton played Edith Bunker, Archie's kind and caring wife.
• Sally Struthers played Gloria, Archie and Edith's daughter.
• The show used humor to discuss serious problems.
• Norman Lear created the show.
• All in the Family changed American television by encouraging people to talk about difficult issues.

POP Interview and Civics Quiz:

• N-400 Part 6:02. What is your child's current legal name?
• USCIS 100:06. What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment?* 
• USCIS 128:69. What are two examples of civic participation in the United States?

Family Fun:

• CBS Sunday Morning: Norman Lear: A life of laughter and activism
• How Stuff Works: All in the Family trivia
• Monday Mandala: Family Coloring Pages
• National Postal Musem: 33c All In The Family single
• Norman Lear: Citizenship
• Norman Lear Effect: All in the Family playlist
• People for the American Way: Issues
• PBS: American Masters: Norman Lear: Just Another Version You clips | (borrow the dvd from your Library)
• Smithsonian Magazine: From His Tattered Chair, TV’s Archie Bunker Caricatured America’s Divides

250 to 250: 47. Madam C.J. Walker, Narrated by A'Lelia Bundles

 

Heather Cox Richardson and 250 to 250: Madam C.J. Walker, Narrated by A'Lelia Bundles

A'Lelia Bundles is an award-winning journalist, Emmy-winning producer, and author of acclaimed biographies telling the stories of the civic-minded business women in her family, including her great-great-grandmother Madam C. J. Walker.

Madam C. J. Walker was born in Louisiana in 1867.

• Her parents had been enslaved before the Civil War.
• She became an orphan when she was seven years old.
• She married at age 14 and became a mother.
• By age 20, she was a widow.
• In the early 1900s, she created hair care products for Black women.
• In 1906, she started her own business.
• She trained many women to sell her products.
• She built a successful company across the United States.
• Madam C. J. Walker became America's first self-made female millionaire.
• She believed in hard work and creating opportunities.
• She also spoke out against racial discrimination and injustice.
• Today, Madam C. J. Walker is remembered as a successful business leader and civil rights advocate.

POP Interview and Civics Quiz:

• Part 7:01. Are you self-employed?  Do you work for yourself and not a specific employer?
• USCIS 100:11. / 128.12. What is the economic system of the United States?
• USCIS 100: 41.   Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the federal government.  What is one power of the federal government?
• USCIS 128:58. Name one power that is only for the federal government.

Family Fun:

• Madame C.J. Walker: Hair
• Madam Walker Legacy Center: Timeline
• Kulture Kidz: Madam C.J. Walker Coloring Page | word scramble |
• Netflix: Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C. J. Walker | trailer
• NMAAHC: Annie Malone and Madam C.J. Walker: Pioneers of the African American Beauty Industry
• NPS: (H)our History Lesson: Madam C. J. Walker, African American Millionaire, Philanthropist, Activist
• World: The True Story of Madam C.J. Walker | TWO DOLLARS AND A DREAM