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News from the Center for Civic Education
Apply to Attend This Summer's Presidential and Congressional Academies, Two Generations of We the People, and More in This Month's Newsletter.
Accepting Applications for Free Student and Teacher Institutes!
The Center is now accepting applications from high-need high school students and teachers for the July 11-25, 2020, Presidential and Congressional Academies. The Academies engage educators and young people in in-depth study of the history and principles of the U.S. Constitution and include field trips to key historical sites in the Baltimore-Washington, D.C., area.
Learn more and apply.
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Thank You for Your Support!
The Center is inspired by the outpouring of support we have received from our network of committed civic education advocates during our holiday fundraising drive. We are raising money to send five high-need students to the Congressional Academy for high-need students. Your donation today will make high-quality civic education a reality for students who are typically underserved. Join us in helping to make our country a nation truly "of, by, and for the people"!
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Two Generations of We the People
When Colorado's Denver East High School participated in the We the People state finals this month, one parent in particular knew how hard her daughters had to work to compete at the state level. Lisa Koenig was part of teacher Sheila Feeney's Denver East class in 1988. Now a senior attorney for a Denver law firm, Lisa was part of the very first year of We the People during the 1987-88 commemoration of the bicentennial of the signing of the Constitution.
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Quick Quiz! What is the main purpose of republican government?
A. To serve the interest of one person or one group
B. To allow citizens to directly make the law
C. To serve the common good
D. To make sure that everyone has an equal amount of property
Read on to learn the answer!
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Learn About the Influence of Greek and Roman Thought on the Founders
In this video from the We the People Open Course, former Oregon Supreme Court justice Susan M. Leeson explains the influence of classical republicanism on the Founders. She explores the contributions of Plato, Aristotle, and Cicero, among others. Have you discovered the We the People Open Course? This free, self-paced online course features videos of notable scholars and online exercises designed to facilitate comprehension. Participants explore each unit of the We the People: The Citizen & the Constitution text, from the philosophical foundations of the U.S. Constitution to the modern interpretation and application of its ideals.
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America's Founders Book Series on Sale for the Holidays
The Center for the Study of the American Constitution at the University of Wisconsin is offering deep discounts on selected titles from its America's Founders biographical chapbook series, the Word Portraits of America's Founders series, and other CSAC titles. They make great stocking stuffers for the Constitution nerd in your life (and if you're receiving this email, you probably know a few)! More information.
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Quotations About Democracy
If you need a handy reference to some great quotes on democracy for a paper, speech, or to add to your email signature, take a look at the Center's Quotations about Democracy page. You will find inspirational quotes from well-known historical figures from Aristotle to Winston Churchill. One of our favorites is this quote by Martin $char_change that was once used to conclude an opening statement by a We the People National Finals class: "In Germany, the Nazis first came for the communists, and I did not speak up, because I was not a Communist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak up, because I was not a Jew. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak up, because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Catholics, and I did not speak up, because I was not a Catholic. Then they came for me ... and by that time, there was no one to speak up for anyone."
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Shop to Support the Center for Civic Education This Holiday Season
Shopping on Amazon? Use this link to benefit We the People and the Center's other civic education programs. Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to the Center for Civic Education. You pay the same price for your purchases, but you have the satisfaction of knowing you've helped students receive the high-quality civic education they deserve. Bookmark the link and keep giving all year with every purchase. AmazonSmile.
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This site is brought to you by the Center for Civic Education. The Center's mission is to promote an enlightened and responsible citizenry committed to democratic principles and actively engaged in the practice of democracy. The Center has reached more than 30 million students and their teachers since 1965. Learn more.