Tuesday, July 30, 2024

What are the US laws around foreeign political contributions?


VOA News: What are the US laws around foreign political contributions? Voice of America (VOA) is the largest U.S. international broadcaster, providing news and information in more than 40 languages to an estimated weekly audience of 236.8 million people. 

VOA produces content for digital, television, and radio platforms. It is easily accessed via your mobile phone and on social media. It is also distributed by satellite, cable, FM and MW, and is carried on a network of approximately 3,000 affiliate stations. Since its creation in 1942, Voice of America has been committed to providing comprehensive coverage of the news and telling audiences the truth. Through World War II, the Cold War, the fight against global terrorism, and the struggle for freedom around the globe today, VOA exemplifies the principles of a free press.

Tuesday, July 16, 2024

What is a nominating convention?


VOA News: What is a nominating convention?
 
 
Presidential nominating conventions are a relatively recent tradition that progressed from lengthy party debates into a political spectacle televised for the world. Take a closer look at the history, surprises, and stakes behind the quadrennial events that will shape America's political landscape.

Sunday, July 7, 2024

Independence Day Naturalization Ceremony at Mount Vernon:

 George Washington's Mount Vernon: Naturalization Ceremony July 4, 2024

Mount Vernon was the home of George Washington, the first President of the United States. It is now a historic national landmark and open to the public. Every year on America's birthday, it hosts a naturalization ceremony to welcome new US citizens.

Friday, July 5, 2024

Some voters blame media for U.S. polarization as election nears


VOA News: Some voters blame media for U.S. polarization as election nears 

With four months remaining until the U.S. presidential election, political divisions among the electorate are stark. Some voters blame the media for deepening the sense of separation. VOA’s Veronica Balderas Iglesias has more.

Also see: 

Thursday, July 4, 2024

Happy Independence Day!

 


As the nation prepares to celebrate 247 years of the country’s independence, smaller U.S. towns are marking holiday with their own traditions. VOA’s Saqib Ul Islam takes us to one small Virginia town that celebrated ahead of the July Fourth holiday. 


Citizenship Resources for Independence Day

SI.edu/USCIS: Preparing for the Oath: U.S. History and Civics for Citizenship
This web resource provides online videos and activities on the 100 civics questions from the naturalization test and highlights museum objects from the Smithsonian Institution. 


USCIS: List of Naturalization Ceremonies on Independence Day 2024

USCIS: For Independence Day
USCIS highlights some of the resources for learners and teachers that are related to this important holiday.  Includes Thomas Jefferson and the Declaration of Independence and Establishing Independence.   Also check out two pdfs from the 13-pdf A More Perfect Union series: The Civics Test Guide to the Memorial to the Signers of Declaration of Independence and The Civics Test Guide to the Jefferson Memorial

USCIS: Civics Questions Playlist 
USCIS helps you prepare for the civics test by posting a new playlist: one video for each civics and history question asked by different examiners.  For Independence Day, check out 100:08, 09, 61, 62, 63, 64, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100. Good job, USCIS!


More Resources

American English at State: Celebrate Independence Day (pdf)
Americans celebrate Independence Day on July 4 because on July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress approved the Declaration of Independence, officially breaking bonds with England and forming a new independent nation, the United States of America. (more lessons)


Jennifer ESL: Lesson 26 - Red, White & Blue Idioms - Happy Fourth of July!
Learn six idioms based on the colors red, white, and blue.  MORE PRACTICE


Museum of the American Revolution: Season of Independence



Rachel's English: 4th of July Traditions
Happy 4th of July! This is the day we celebrate America’s independence. Study vocabulary, pronunciation, and phrases as we study REAL English conversation and learn about 4th of July traditions in the US.


This #IndependenceDay, we celebrate our democracy's progress toward a more equitable and prosperous society of the people, by the people, and for the people.

TED-ED: What you might not know about the Declaration of Independence - Kenneth C. Davis (video)
In June 1776, a little over a year after the start of the American Revolutionary War, the US Continental Congress huddled together in a hot room in Philadelphia to talk independence. Kenneth C. Davis dives into some of the lesser known facts about the process of writing the Declaration of Independence and questions one very controversial omission.

uscitizenpod: Independence Day Citizenship Interview with Lien Ho (2017)

uscitizenpod: A Quick Interview Based on the N-400r plus 10qs for Independence Day
New for 2016: 24 questions based on the N-400r plus 10 civics question.

We will discuss the Declaration of Independence, the Compromise of 1850, and abolitionist Fredrick Douglass. 

uscitizenpod: US Citizenship Podcast Independence Day Quiz (video)
Celebrate Independence Day with uscitizenpod. Here is a quiz based on USCIS 100:08, 09, 61, 62, 63, 64, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100.

William Hill Brown's The Power of Sympathy, published anonymously by Isaiah Thomas & Company, is widely cited as something momentous: the first American novel.

One of the themes of this year's Smithsonian Folk Life Festival is immigration. As part of the festival events, a group of 25 children were sworn in as U.S. Citizens, just ahead of America's Independence Day holiday. VOA's Elizabeth Cherneff reports.

VOA Learning English;  America's Birthplace: Independence National Historical Park (mp3 and article)
This week, our U.S. National Parks journey takes us to the eastern city of Philadelphia, an important place in American history.

President Biden Participates in a Naturalization Ceremony to Welcome Citizens to Our Country Ahead of Independence Day


Wednesday, July 3, 2024

VOA The Inside Story - USA Votes 2024


VOA News: The Inside Story - USA Votes 2024 | 151 

President Joe Biden faces former President Donald Trump in a rematch. We bring you reactions from the first 2024 Presidential debate and what a second term could mean for the U.S. and the world. This week on The Inside Story: USA Votes 2024.