About the Podcast: 60-Second Civics is a daily podcast that provides a quick and convenient way for listeners to learn about our nation’s government, the Constitution, and our history. The podcast explores themes related to civics and government, the constitutional issues behind the headlines, and the people and ideas that formed our nation’s history and government.
Get Involved: Join the conversation about each episode on Twitter. Or you can contact the show by emailing Mark Gage. Let me know what you think!
You Can Help: 60-Second Civics is supported by private donations. You can help keep the podcasts coming by donating, buying an ebook, or by writing a nice review in iTunes to help others discover the show. We love our listeners. You are the reason we created the podcast. Thank you for your kind support!
Music: The theme music for 60-Second Civics is provided by Cheryl B. Engelhardt. You can find her online at cbemusic.com. The song featured on the podcast is Cheryl B. Engelhardt's "Complacent," which you purchase on iTunes, along with all of Cheryl's music.
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60-Second Civics: Episode 4885, Limited Powers of Democratic Governments: The Elements of Democracy, Part 14 It is an abuse of power for a democratic government to claim more powers than the people have delegated to it. Therefore, limited government is an important aspect of democracy. Listen to learn more!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4884, Alienation and Consent: The Elements of Democracy, Part 13 Many citizens in modern democracies fail to vote or participate in other ways that express their consent to be governed. This sign of alienation of individuals and groups from the political system represents a widespread problem in modern democracies. Listen for more!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4883, The People Delegate Authority: The Elements of Democracy, Part 12 In a democracy, the people delegate their authority to government, but only as much is necessary to fulfill the purposes for which states are established. Listen for more!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4882, Authority Flows from the People: The Elements of Democracy, Part 11 In a democracy, political authority flows from the people to the state—not from the state to the people. Why is this the case? Learn more in this episode!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4881, Popular Sovereignty: The Elements of Democracy, Part 10 Popular sovereignty is a basic idea of democracy and means that the people are the ultimate source of the authority of their government. Listen for more!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4880, Fundamental Rights: The Elements of Democracy, Part 9 Liberal democracy recognizes the importance of the individual and that all persons have certain fundamental rights. Learn what these rights look like in today's episode!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4879, The Rule of Law: The Elements of Democracy, Part 8 The rule of law is a primary element of constitutionalism. An essential means of limiting government is establishing a rule of law, beginning with the constitution itself, which is a fundamental law. Listen to learn more!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4878, Permanent Campaigns: Campaign Finance in the U.S., Part 7 Permanent campaigns are increasingly noticeable in the larger perpetual U.S. campaign cycle, which is largely driven by meta-campaign demands and media sensationalism. Learn more in our final episode with Dr. Diana Owen adapted from the Strengthening Democracy in America Series available at learn.civiced.org.
60-Second Civics: Episode 4877, Constituent Service: Campaign Finance in the U.S., Part 6 Despite the warranted fears around big money, constituent service is an important way to help give a voice to more members of a particular congressional district. Learn more in today's episode!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4876, Donations and Political Equality: Campaign Finance in the U.S., Part 5 Political equality is a fundamental and critical concept for the U.S. government. Given this, how does big money affect political equality? Learn more as Dr. Diana Owen explains more in this series adapted from the Strengthening Democracy in America Series at learn.civiced.org.
60-Second Civics: Episode 4875, How Donors Affect Representatives' Policy Positions: Campaign Finance in the U.S., Part 4 How do donations affect members of Congress' policy positions? Listen as Dr. Diana Owen shares about the effect that this funding has on representatives legislative actions in this episode adapted from the Strengthening Democracy in America Series available at learn.civiced.org.
60-Second Civics: Episode 4874, Types of Political Contributions: Campaign Finance in the U.S., Part 3 Today, there are many types of political contributions that people or groups can make toward a political campaign, and it???s difficult to keep the types straight. Dr. Diana Owen explains in today???s episode the differences between popular types of contributions, including the hotly debated super PACs. Listen for more!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4873, Source of Campaign Funds: Campaign Finance in the U.S., Part 2 Continuing our new campaign finance series adapted from the Strengthening Democracy in America Series, available at learn.civiced.org, we ask Dr. Diana Owen: where does the money come from to run a political campaign? Listen to learn more!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4872, Cost of Political Campaigns: Campaign Finance in the U.S., Part 1 Today we begin a special series adapted from the Strengthening Democracy in America Series, a free online course on the American political system that you can find at Learn.civiced.org. In this series, Dr. Diana Owen, a professor of political science and director and principal investigator of the Civic Education Research Lab at Georgetown University, explains some of the more complicated aspects of our political process: campaign finance. To start, we cover the cost and reasons for these increasing costs.
60-Second Civics: Episode 4871, Human Equality and Government by Consent: The Road to Independence, Part 19 The Declaration of Independence made arguments based on human equality and government by consent, among other things. Listen to learn more about these important concepts!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4870, Ideas in the Declaration of Independence: The Road to Independence, Part 18 The Declaration of Independence contains ideas and arguments for independence that can be divided into several categories: natural rights, human equality, government by consent, the andquot;long train of abusesandquot; by King George III, and finally, the right to revolution. Listen for more!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4869, The Declaration of Independence: The Road to Independence, Part 17 The Declaration of Independence announced the final, momentous step in the colonists??? resistance to the British government by rejecting the sovereignty, or authority, of the Crown.??Learn more about this declaration in today's episode!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4868, The Revolution Begins: The Road to Independence, Part 16 The battles of Lexington and Concord began the war between America and Britain. In August 1775 Britain declared the colonies to be in a state of rebellion. Within a year, the Americans would officially declare their independence. Listen to learn more about this evolution!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4867, Concord Hymn: The Road to Independence, Part 15 The shot heard 'round the world is a line in the poem Concord Hymn describing the effect of the outbreak of the American Revolution in April 1775. Learn more in today's podcast!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4866, Lexington and Concord: The Road to Independence, Part 14 By 1774 many of the more radical colonists were beginning to prepare for war against Great Britain.?? These colonists formed civilian militias. On April 19, 1775, some 700 British troops tried to march to Concord, Massachusetts. Listen for more!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4865, First Continental Congress: The Road to Independence, Part 13 Colonists formed committees of correspondence to publicize colonial opposition and coordinate resistance. In 1774 colonies sent representatives to Philadelphia to discuss potential responses to the British government.??The meeting was called the First Continental Congress.??
60-Second Civics: Episode 4863, John Adams and the Boston Massacre: The Road to Independence, Part 11 Controversial at the time, lawyer and later president John Adams defended the British soldiers and their captain following the Boston Massacre. Learn more about his motivation for doing this in today's episode!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4862, The Boston Massacre: The Road to Independence, Part 10 On the night of March 5, 1770, a riot broke out and shots were fired in what would later be known as the ???Boston Massacre.??? Learn more about this important event in today???s episode!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4861, Daughters of Liberty: The Road to Independence, Part 9 After repealing the hated Stamp Act in 1766, the British Parliament passed the Declaratory Act, asserting Great Britain's full power and authority over the American colonies. In response a group of American women calling themselves the Daughters of Liberty led boycotts of English goods. Listen for more!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4860, The Townshend Acts: The Road to Independence, Part 8 The Townshend Acts are a now-infamous group of duties passed by Parliament in June 1767. They levied new taxes on items imported from Britain, which came with significant consequences. Learn more in today's episode!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4859, The Stamp Act Congress: The Road to Independence, Part 7 The Stamp Act Congress was held in October 1765 in New York to coordinate colonial resistance to the unpopular Stamp Act, which required nearly every important document printed in the colonies to be taxed. Hear more about this significant occurrence in today's episode!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4858, The Sons of Liberty: The Road to Independence, Part 6 Opposition to the Stamp Act prompted American colonists to organize. The Sons of Liberty was one group created to resist the Stamp Act inspired by the words of Isaac Barre. Learn more about this group in today's episode!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4857, The Stamp and Quartering Acts: The Road to Independence, Part 5 The British Parliament passed two highly unpopular laws in 1765: the Stamp Act and the Quartering Act. Listen to today's episode to learn more about these influential acts!
60-Second Civics: Episode 5110, The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut: The Basic Ideas of Constitutional Government in the Colonies, Part 8 The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut is an important American founding document. The Connecticut Colony has its origins in 1636, when Thomas Hooker led a group of dissenting Puritans from Massachusetts to the Connecticut Valley. Learn why this document was so revolutionary in today's episode!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4585, The Sugar Act: The Road to Independence, Part 3 The American colonists were already unhappy with the British about the Proclamation of 1763. But then they took another step that angered Americans. In 1764, Parliament passed the Sugar Act. Learn more in today's episode!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4584, The Proclamation of 1763: The Road to Independence, Part 2 Britain increased its control over the American colonies after 1763 following its victory over the French in the Seven Years' War, including with acts such as the Proclamation of 1763. Learn more about the implications of this in today's episode!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4853, Salutary Neglect: The Road to Independence, Part 1 For more than 150 years before 1776, the American colonists had grown used to little direct interference by Parliament in colonial affairs. This policy was known as andquot;salutary neglect,andquot; but changes to this policy would initiate the focus of our series: The Road to Independence!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4852, Women's Political Power: Women in the American Colonies and Early Republic, Part 9 In our final episode with Dr. Holly White of Colonial Williamsburg, we ask her what kind of political power did American women possess during the Early Republican period? Listen to learn more!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4851, Women's Contributions to the American Revolution: Women in the American Colonies and Early Republic, Part 8 Women played an integral role in the American Revolution. Listen in this episode as Dr. Holly White from Colonial Williamsburg explains what these roles looked like and how they influenced the Revolution.
60-Second Civics: Episode 4850, Sally New River: Women in the American Colonies and Early Republic, Part 7 In our next episode with Dr. Holly White of Colonial Williamsburg, we ask her: who was Sally New River, and why should Americans know about her?
60-Second Civics: Episode 4849, Mehetabel Chandler Coit: Women in the American Colonies and Early Republic, Part 6 In this episode, Dr. Holly White discusses Mehetabel Chandler Coit and how does her work help us understand women's daily lives during the early colonial period. Listen for more!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4848, Coverture: Women in the American Colonies and Early Republic, Part 5 In today's episode, Dr. Holly White of Colonial Williamsburg discusses the practice of coverture and how it affected the lives of women in the American colonies. Listen to learn what this term means and more!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4847, Life for Indigenous Women After European Arrival: Women in the American Colonies and Early Republic, Part 4 After European colonization, the lives of Indigenous women would have varied greatly depending on their tribe, where they lived, and their interactions with European colonists. Learn more in this episode!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4846, How Black Women Resisted Slavery: Women in the American Colonies and Early Republic, Part 3 We are once again joined by Dr. Holly White, an expert on the history of gender, age, and family in early America. Today, she speaks about how, during the colonial era, Black women resisted slavery and oppression and the varying ways they approached it.
60-Second Civics: Episode 4845, Educational Opportunities for Women: Women in the American Colonies and Early Republic, Part 2 Educational opportunities for girls and young women were limited in the North American colonies, and access was largely shaped by several social factors. Learn more about what these educational opportunities looked like from Dr. Holly White of Colonial Williamsburg.
60-Second Civics: Episode 4844, Life for Women in the North American Colonies: Women in the American Colonies and Early Republic, Pt 1 This week we introduce our series on women in the American colonies and the early republic. We are joined by special guest Dr. Holly White, an Associate Producer at Colonial Williamsburg Innovation Studios. She specializes in the history of gender, age, and family in early America.
60-Second Civics: Episode 4843, Women's Suffrage Expands Worldwide: Women's Suffrage Movement, Part 14 By the time that the Nineteenth Amendment was ratified in the United States in 1920, a number of other countries or states within them had secured women's suffrage. Learn more about suffrage worldwide in this episode!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4842, The Sentinels of Liberty: Women's Suffrage Movement, Part 13 In 1917, women called the Sentinels of Liberty formed a twenty-four-hour vigil around Woodrow Wilson's White House. Learn more about why they did this in today's episode!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4841, Violence Against Women's Suffrage: Women's Suffrage Movement, Part 12 The political struggle for women's suffrage was not without its dangers and difficulties, as illustrated by events in 1913. Learn about the events at the women's suffrage parade in this episode!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4840, Women's Suffrage Associations: Women's Suffrage Movement, Part 11 Many organizations were founded to address state- and nation-wide suffrage efforts, including the National Woman Suffrage Association in 1869 and National Woman's Party in 1917. Listen to learn more!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4839, A Fractured Suffrage Movement: Women's Suffrage Movement, Part 10 The constitutional amendments that followed the Civil War fractured the women's movement. Indeed, debate over the Fifteenth Amendment reopened the suffrage and gender issue, splitting the women's movement. Listen for more!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4838, The Growing Women's Movement of the Late 1800s: Women's Suffrage Movement, Part 9 Learn about the push for women's rights.
60-Second Civics: Episode 4837, The Seneca Falls Convention: Women's Suffrage Movement, Part 8 After being banned from the World Anti-Slavery Convention in London because of their gender, Lucretia Mott and Elizabeth Cady Stanton translated their outrage into organizing the Seneca Falls Convention in 1848. Learn more about this convention in today's episode!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4835, The Emerging Role of Women: Women's Suffrage Movement, Part 6 The course of the nineteenth century saw the emerging role of women outside the home and the founding and growth of women's organizations devoted to addressing the most pressing public issues of the day. Listen for more!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4834, Women's Role in the American Economy Gradually Changes: Women's Suffrage Movement, Part 5 By the end of the 19th century and first decades of the next, the economic roles of significant numbers of women had undergone marked transformation. Learn more about this change in this episode!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4832, World War I Increases Demands for Women's Suffrage: Women's Suffrage Movement, Part 3 Learn about women's right to vote.
60-Second Civics: Episode 4830, Women's Suffrage Movement, Part 1 The Nineteenth Amendment, which was ratified August 1920, secured women's right to vote in all elections: local, state, and national.
60-Second Civics: Episode 4829, Redlining Redlining is a discriminatory practice that withholds financial and other services, which prevents ethnic and racial minorities from, among other things, purchasing homes. Redlining's systemic practices have been traced back to the 1930s but still presents a problem today. Listen to learn more!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4828, Lynchings and Artistic Political Protest Throughout history, artists have made it their civic duty to contribute to social change, including Billie Holiday with andquot;Strange Fruit,andquot; which brought attention to the unfair and unconstitutional lynchings of African American men and women. Listen to learn more from Dr. Vicki Ross-Norris!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4827, Shelby County v. Holder Although the Voting Rights Act of 1965 has been called “the most successful civil rights law in history,” one of its key provisions, Section 5, was challenged in the Supreme Court in 2013. Learn how the Shelby County v. Holder changed this civil rights legislation in this episode!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4825, Voting Rights Act of 1965 The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was a step in the right direction, but it did not protect voting rights.
60-Second Civics: Episode 4824, The Civil Rights Act of 1964: The Struggle for Civil Rights, Part 5 Congress passed the Civil Rights Act of 1964, using its constitutional power under Article I to regulate interstate commerce so that it could regulate private activities as well as state action. Learn more about how this legislation came about in this episode!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4823, The Civil Rights Movement Gains Support In the spring of 1963 civil rights leaders organized public demonstrations throughout the South in which young people often were prominent. Learn more about how the civil rights movement gained momentum.
60-Second Civics: Episode 4822, Desegregation and Violence: The Struggle for Civil Rights, Part 3 Violence plagued the South in the years following desegregation.
60-Second Civics: Episode 4821, Brown v. Board of Education: The Struggle for Civil Rights, Part 2 The Supreme Court's 1954 decision in Brown v. Board of Education held that segregation by law to be illegal in public schools. However, that decision implied that all segregation laws violated the guarantee of equal protection of the laws. Learn more about the implications of the decision in this episode!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4820, Segregation: The Struggle for Civil Rights, Part 1 The struggle for civil rights in the 1900s was born out of responses to discrimination in the United States. Discrimination based on race has its roots in racial separation, known as segregation. In this episode we discuss both de jure and de facto forms of segregation in the United States.
60-Second Civics: Episode 5072, The Thirteenth Amendment While Lincoln justified his Emancipation Proclamation as an act of military necessity, he understood that a constitutional amendment was required to abolish slavery immediately and everywhere in the United States. Learn more about how the Emancipation Proclamation led to the 13th Amendment in this episode of 60-Second Civics.
60-Second Civics: Episode 4819, The Importance of Civic Education: Dr. Vicki Ross-Norris, Part 10 Today we ask Dr. Ross-Norris: Why is civic education important?
60-Second Civics: Episode 4818, How Young People Can Address Injustice: Dr. Vicki Ross-Norris, Part 9 In this episode, we ask Dr. Vicki Ross-Norris: How can young people get involved in addressing injustices today? She explains the importance of making your voice heard and of support from older generations.
60-Second Civics: Episode 4817, Traveling to Ghana: Dr. Vicki Ross-Norris, Part 8 While in college, Dr. Vicki Ross-Norris took a trip to Ghana that gave her and her classmates the opportunity to explore another culture and connect with their heritage. Listen to learn more about her experience!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4816, Racism and Policing in the 1940s: Dr. Vicki Ross-Norris, Part 7 Dr. Ross-Norris recounts an encounter her family had with the police while driving through South Carolina at night. Her experiences bring to light issues with racism and policing during that time
60-Second Civics: Episode 4815, Important Figures in the Civil Rights Movement: Dr. Vicki Ross-Norris, Part 6 Throughout her life, Dr. Ross-Norris has interacted with several prominent civil rights leaders, including Dr. Dorothy Height and Rev. Fauntroy. Learn more how these figures inspired the next generation of civil rights leaders in today's episode.
60-Second Civics: Episode 4814, Maya Angelou and Her Role as a Citizen: Dr. Vicki Ross-Norris, Part 5 Maya Angelou, an African American poet and civil rights activist, used her artistic abilities to communicate the Black experience and serve as an instrument for others to understand African American culture. Listen as Dr. Vicki Ross-Norris recounts her interactions with Maya Angelou in today's episode!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4813, Historically Black Colleges and Universities: Dr. Vicki Ross-Norris, Part 4 Today we ask our guest Dr. Vicki Ross-Norris: Why are historically black colleges and universities important? In the episode, she shares her experience as a Howard University alumna and how attending an HBCU was significant to her as an African American.
60-Second Civics: Episode 4812, The Tuskegee Airmen: Dr. Vicki Ross-Norris, Part 3 In today's episode, Dr. Ross-Norris talks about the Tuskegee Airmen, a group her father belonged to and who taught her important lessons about civics and being an American.
60-Second Civics: Episode 4811, Learning About the African American Experience: Dr. Vicki Ross-Norris, Part 2 In February, we celebrate Black History Month. Today we ask Dr. Ross-Norris: Why should all Americans learn about the African American experience? Listen to learn why!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4810, Slavery and Our Nation's Founding: Dr. Vicki Ross-Norris, Part 1 This week, we are joined by a very special guest, Vicki Ross-Norris, an actress, educator, and member of the Center for Civic Education's board of directors. In our first episode, we ask her: Given that many of the Framers of the Constitution were slaveholders, how should Americans think about our nation's founding?
60-Second Civics: Episode 4809, Constitutionalism: The Elements of Democracy, Part 7 Constitutionalism is the use of constitutions to limit government by law. Learn more about constitutions in this episode!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4808, Free and Fair Elections: The Elements of Democracy, Part 6 What three characteristics must elections in a democracy possess? Find out on today's podcast.
60-Second Civics: Episode 4807, Rule by the People: The Elements of Democracy, Part 5 Democracy can be defined as rule by the people through free and fair elections. Learn more about the central role of the governed in this episode!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4806, Democracy Defined: The Elements of Democracy, Part 4 Democracy originated more than 2,400 years ago in ancient Greece. The word democracy means rule by the people. Learn more about what this means in this episode!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4805, Political Authority: The Elements of Democracy, Part 3 Political authority is the right to make and enforce binding rules known as laws. While political power is the ability to persuade others to follow the policies of those who hold power, authority adds legitimacy to the exercise of this power. Learn more in this episode!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4804, Authority: The Elements of Democracy, Part 2 What is authority? What is the difference between authority and power? Learn about this difference in today's episode!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4803, Politics: The Elements of Democracy, Part 1 Today on the podcast we begin a series that explores the basic elements of democracy. We begin with a look at politics which is found wherever people live together. Listen for more!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4802, In Defense of Civil Disobedience: Civil Disobedience, Part 3 In light of criticisms raised in the previous episode, we explore why people support civil disobedience as method for justice.
60-Second Civics: Episode 4801, Criticism of Civil Disobedience: Civil Disobedience, Part 2 While civil disobedience was promoted by many, critics argue that civil disobedience is never justified because it is an attack on constitutional democracy. Learn more about these criticisms in this episode!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4800, Famous Figures Promoting Civil Disobedience: Civil Disobedience, Part 1 Participants in the struggles against slavery, the woman suffrage movement, and the civil rights movement all used civil disobedience to advocate change. This brief series on civil disobedience, we start by discussing the prominent figures in promoting civil disobedience throughout modern history.
60-Second Civics: Episode 4799, The Universe Is on the Side of Justice: Six Principles of Nonviolence, Part 6 In our final episode of this special series, we discuss Martin Luther King Jr.'s sixth principle of nonviolence that the universe is on the side of justice. King believed that every person who believes in nonviolent resistance believes somehow that the universe in some form is on the side of justice. Learn more about this final principle in this episode!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4798, Love, Not Hate: Six Principles of Nonviolence, Part 5 In our fifth episode, we discuss Martin Luther King Jr.'s next principle of nonviolence that nonviolence chooses love instead of hate. King emphasized that nonviolence meant not only renouncing physical violence, but also the avoidance of hatred what he called the internal violence of the spirit. Listen for more!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4797, Nonviolence Educates and Reforms: Six Principles of Nonviolence, Part 4 In this episode, we discuss Martin Luther King Jr.'s fourth principle of nonviolence—that nonviolence educates and reforms. King believed that the experience of acting nonviolently in the face of injustice transformed people. Learn more about this principle in this episode!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4796, Nonviolence Seeks to Defeat Injustice, Not People: Six Principles of Nonviolence, Part 3 Today we discuss Martin Luther King Jr.'s third principle of nonviolence: that nonviolence seeks to defeat injustice, not people.
60-Second Civics: Episode 4795, Nonviolence Seeks Reconciliation: Six Principles of Nonviolence, Part 2 Today we discuss Martin Luther King Jr.'s second principle of nonviolence: nonviolence seeks reconciliation.
60-Second Civics: Episode 4794, Nonviolence Requires Courage: Six Principles of Nonviolence, Part 1 On today's episode, we begin our discussion of Martin Luther King Jr.'s six principles of nonviolence.
60-Second Civics: Episode 4793, A Rough Start for the Bill of Rights: Rights, Part 13 The Bill of Rights was not initially received with enthusiasm. It caused bitter disagreements among both Federalists and Anti-Federalists. It had little effect on the lives of most Americans, whose day-to-day existence was impacted more by their state government rather than the national government.
60-Second Civics: Episode 4792, How the Constitution Protects Rights: Rights, Part 12 In addition to those rights protected in the first ten amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, the body of the U.S. Constitution and subsequent amendments also protect many rights.
60-Second Civics: Episode 4791, Rights and the Third Amendment: Rights, Part 11 The Third Amendment was written in response to the Quartering Act of 1765, which was a British law authorizing colonial governors to requisition certain buildings, including parts of people's homes, for housing British troops.
60-Second Civics: Episode 4790, Rights and the Second Amendment: Rights, Part 10 Today we explain how the Second Amendment has been interpreted by the courts. The Second Amendment is a good example of both positive and negative rights in the Bill of Rights. Positive rights require government to act in specified ways, whereas negative rights restrict government action.
60-Second Civics: Episode 4789, Positive vs. Negative Rights: Rights, Part 9 Positive rights require government to act in specified ways, but negative rights restrict government action.
60-Second Civics: Episode 4788, Economic and Political Rights: Rights, Part 8 Economic rights are associated with ownership. Examples include choosing the work one wants to do, acquiring and disposing of property, entering into contracts. Political rights address political participation, such as voting and supporting particular candidates for office.
60-Second Civics: Episode 4787, Personal Rights: Rights, Part 7 The idea that humans are autonomous, self-governing individuals with fundamental rights is central to natural rights philosophy.
60-Second Civics: Episode 4786, What Are Rights?: Rights, Part 6 Rights may be held by individuals, classes or categories of individuals, or institutions. The emphasis on the rights of individuals is reflected in natural rights philosophy, exemplified in the Declaration of Independence.
60-Second Civics: Episode 4785, All States Have Bills of Rights: Rights, Part 5 Each state adopted a constitution after the Declaration of Independence was issued. Today, the constitutions of all fifty states, as well as the U.S. Constitution, contain bills or declarations of rights.
60-Second Civics: Episode 4784, Limits on Government in the Virginia Declaration of Rights: Rights, Part 4 The Virginia Declaration of Rights described how representative government should be organized, limited the power of government, and informed the creation of our Bill of Rights.
60-Second Civics: Episode 4783, The Virginia Declaration of Rights: Rights, Part 3 Virginia was the first state to include a bill of rights in its constitution. Learn more about the significance of this document for present rights in this episode!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4782, Why Have a Bill of Rights?: Rights, Part 2 The English Bill of Rights of 1689 was passed by Parliament, which means that Parliament can change it at any time. The American Bill of Rights, in contrast, is part of the U.S. Constitution, which is much more difficult to change, as are states' bills of rights.
60-Second Civics: Episode 4781, The Magna Carta and the English Bill of Rights: Rights, Part 1 The struggle between the rights of the people and the power of government to deny those rights is one of the great themes of human history. This episode of 60-Second Civics explores two documents that limited the power of government in English history: the Magna Carta and the English Bill of Rights. These documents significantly influenced American conceptions of the limitations on the power of government.
60-Second Civics: Episode 4780, The Eighth, Ninth, and Tenth Amendments: Introduction to the Bill of Rights, Part 5 These final pieces of the Bill of Rights deal with crime, punishment, and states rights. Listen to learn more!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4779, The Sixth and Seventh Amendments: Introduction to the Bill of Rights, Part 4 Your right to an attorney, a fair trial, and more in these two amendments.
60-Second Civics: Episode 4778, The Fourth and Fifth Amendments: Introduction to the Bill of Rights, Part 3 These Constitutional Amendments help protect the rights of those convicted of a crime
60-Second Civics: Episode 4777, The First Three Amendments: Introduction to the Bill of Rights, Part 2 These three Constitutional amendments protect some of our most fundamental rights as citizens.
60-Second Civics: Episode 4776, What is the Bill of Rights? Introduction to the Bill of Rights, Part 1 Today, December 15th, is Bill of Rights day! In recognition of this day, we start a new series exploring the first ten amendments of the Constitution and what they mean. Listen for more!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4775, Compromise on a Bill of Rights: Concerns for the Constitution, Part 8 The Federalists and Anti-Federalists disagreed over whether a bill of rights is needed for the Constitution and debated the idea heavily. Learn more about what they considered in creating the Bill of Rights in this episode!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4774, Would the National Government Have Too Much Power? Concerns for the Constitution, Part 7 During the debates over ratification of the Constitution, Federalists and Anti-Federalists disagreed over whether the national government would have too much power. Listen to learn more about these debates in this episode!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4773, Would the Constitution Maintain Republican Government? Concerns for the Constitution, Part 6 One area of contention between the Federalists and Anti-Federalists was over the question of whether the Constitution would maintain republican government. Learn more about what they debated over in this episode!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4772, Three Basic Disagreements over Ratification: Concerns over the Constitution, Part 5 Both the Federalists and Anti-Federalists made many arguments for and against the Constitution. However, the most intense arguments were about three basic issues. Listen to learn about these issues!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4771, Meet the Anti-Federalists: Concerns for the Constitution, Part 4 Meet the Anti-Federalists: The people who opposed ratifying the Constitution. Anti-Federalist leaders included George Mason, Edmund Randolph, and Elbridge Gerry. Listen for more!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4770, Meet the Federalists: Concerns for the Constitution, Part 3 Meet the Federalists: The people who supported ratifying the Constitution. Learn more about their positions and decisions regarding the Constitution in this episode!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4769, Ratifying the Constitution: Concerns for the Constitution, Part 2 James Madison developed a plan to have the Constitution approved by voters at special conventions to be held in each state. Madison thought that the Constitution would be rejected if Congress or the state legislatures were asked to ratify it. Learn more about ratification in this episode!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4768, James Madison's Plan for Ratification: Concerns for the Constitution, Part 1 James Madison was afraid that the Constitution would be rejected if either the Congress or the state legislatures were asked to ratify it. To avoid rejection, Madison developed a plan. Listen to learn more about this plan!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4767, Issues Facing Native American Communities Today: Native American Heritage Month, Part 15 In the final episode of our Native American Heritage Month Series, Terry Mason Moore, enrolled member of the Osage tribe, discusses current and future issues facing Native American communities and all Americans today. Listen for more!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4766, Tribal Sovereignty and Native American Citizenship: Native American Heritage Month, Part 14 Native Americans are citizens of three governments: Their tribe, their state, and the United States. Learn more about the history and dynamics of Native American citizenship from the Center for Civic Education's board member, Terry Mason Moore.
60-Second Civics: Episode 4765, How Native American Cultures Enrich the United States: Native American Heritage Month, Part 13 According to Terry Mason Moore, enrolled member of the Osage Nation, Native cultures are vibrant and living cultures with a long history of interaction and engagement with the non-native people of the United States. Learn more about how these cultures enrich all peoples in our nation!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4764, Being an Enrolled Member of the Osage Nation: Native American Heritage Month, Part 12 In this episode, Terry Mason Moore discusses her life growing up as an enrolled member of the Osage Nation in Oklahoma. Listen to learn more about her family, experiences, and culture have shaped her life!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4763, What is Native American Heritage Month? Native American Heritage Month, Part 11 In continuing our Native American Heritage Month series, we are joined by a very special guest, Terry Mason Moore, an enrolled member of the Osage Nation, an attorney, and a member of the Center of Civic Education Board of Directors. In this episode, she discusses what National Native American Heritage Month entails and its importance.
60-Second Civics: Episode 4762, Native American Activism: Native American Heritage Month, Part 10 In 1968 several hundred members of Native American tribes met to discuss issues affecting their communities. The American Indian Movement, or AIM, emerged out of this meeting, which has set the stage for more modern activism among Native Americans today. Listen for more!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4761, Tribal Recognition: Native American Heritage Month, Part 9 Several hundred Native American tribes in the United States are currently seeking official tribal recognition from the federal government, a process that often takes decades to complete. Federal recognition is important for tribes because it formally establishes a government-to-government relationship. Learn more in this episode!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4760, Vacillating Policy Toward Native American Tribes: Native American Heritage Month, Part 8 The national government policy vacillated between respecting the sovereignty of Native American tribes and seeking to dismantle tribal governments and to integrate their members into the United States. Listen for more!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4759, Removing Obstacles to Native American Voting: Native American Heritage Month, Part 7 The Indian Citizenship Act of 1924 extended the right to vote to all Native Americans, but many encountered obstacles to voting, serving on juries, and giving testimony in courts. Learn more about how these obstacles were removed in this episode!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4758, Indian Citizenship Act of 1924: Native American Heritage Month, Part 6 While Native Americans were original not granted citizenship in the U.S., the Indian Citizenship Act of 1924 extended the right to vote to all Indians born within the territorial limits of the United States. Learn more about how this change came about in this episode!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4757, Denial of Native American Citizenship and Voting Rights: Native American Heritage Month, Part 5 The Framers of the Constitution considered Native Americans to be members of their tribes, which they considered foreign nations. Thus, they denied them citizenship and the right to vote. Learn more about how this set a foundation for future relations in this episode!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4756, Native American Activist Marie Louise Bottineau Baldwin: Native American Heritage Month, Part 4 Marie Louise Bottineau Baldwin was a Native American activist, attorney, and advocate of women's right to vote. Learn more about her life and work in our latest Native American Heritage Month episode!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4755, The Power of Native American Women in the Colonial Era: Native American Heritage Month, Part 3 Europeans were surprised that Native American women had so much power and influence, particularly within the Haudenosaunee nations. In those nations, women held political power within the tribes, appointing and removing chiefs at their discretion.
60-Second Civics: Episode 4754, Native Americans During the Colonial Era: Native American Heritage Month, Part 2 While Native Americans had lived on the North American continent for at least 24,000 years, the arrival of colonists brought great conflict and change. Learn more about Native Americans in the colonial era in this episode!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4753, Native American Tribes in Early America: Native American Heritage Month, Part 1 In honor of Native American Heritage Month, we are rebroadcasting some 60-Second Civics episodes highlighting Native American history, culture, and experience, starting with Native American tribes in the early U.S. Hundreds of different groups of Native Americans had inhabited the continent for thousands of years, including the Eastern Woodland tribes. Learn more about the some of these tribes in this episode!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4752, Equality and the American Mind: The Basic Ideas of Constitutional Government in the Colonies, Part 20 Where did the idea of universal human equality, a common American idea, come from? Religious movements in colonial America helped spread the idea of universal moral human equality, including equality among social classes. Listen to today's podcast for more!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4751, Stoicism, Christianity, and Moral Equality: The Basic Ideas of Constitutional Government in the Colonies, Part 19 Yesterday, we discussed the origins of American political equality, but our founders also possessed a strong sense of moral equality. Indeed, the idea of the moral equality of human beings has ancient origins. Listen to this episode for more!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4750, Americans' Sense of Political Equality: The Basic Ideas of Constitutional Government in the Colonies, Part 18 The Declaration of Independence states that all men, meaning all people, are created equal. But where did this idea come from? Ideas of natural political equality were developed in seventeenth-century England and exported to its colonies across the North Atlantic. Learn more in today's episode!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4749, All Men Are Created Equal: The Basic Ideas of Constitutional Government in the Colonies, Part 17 The Declaration of Independence states that among the truths that Americans hold to be self-evident is that all Men are created equal. But what did Thomas Jefferson mean by this statement?
60-Second Civics: Episode 4748, The American Creed: The Basic Ideas of Constitutional Government in the Colonies, Part 16 Thomas Jefferson said that his purpose in writing the Declaration of Independence was to express a shared understanding of the American mind. Over the course of a few days in June 1776, Jefferson laid out the most fundamental principles and central political beliefs of the American Revolution and of the people the Revolution created.
60-Second Civics: Episode 4747, Why Americans Held These Truths to Be Self-evident: The Basic Ideas of Constitutional Govt. in the Colonies, Part 15 Why did the writers of the Declaration of Independence hold these Truths to be self-evident? Among other things, these Americans were deeply influenced by the teachings of Christianity and English republicanism.
60-Second Civics: Episode 4746, The Meaning of Self-Evident Truths: The Basic Ideas of Constitutional Govt. in the Colonies, Part 14 The second paragraph of the Declaration of Independence begins like this: We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. But what does we hold these truths to be self-evident mean? We explain more in this episode!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4745, American Fundamentals: The Basic Ideas of Constitutional Government in the Colonies, Part 13 Americans share certain fundamental ideals, values, and principles. Today we examine these foundational beliefs for constitutional government in colonial America.
60-Second Civics: Episode 4744, Elections in Colonial America: The Basic Ideas of Constitutional Government in the Colonies, Part 12 Elections in the colonial era and in the early American republic were rather uncivilized compared to today's standards. Explore the differences between then and now in this episode!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4743, Qualifying to Vote in Early America: The Basic Ideas of Constitutional Government in the Colonies, Part 11 In the American colonies, the right to vote followed the British model: only free adult males who owned a certain amount of property could vote, though there were limited exceptions to this rule. Listen to learn more!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4742, Voting Rights in Colonial America: The Basic Ideas of Constitutional Government in the Colonies, Part 10 Voting rights in colonial America depended on the ownership of property. In other words, a person had to own a certain amount of land, livestock, or other property in order to qualify to vote. Listen to learn more!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4741, Representative Democracy in Colonial America: The Basic Ideas of Constitutional Government in the Colonies, Part 9 Each of the thirteen American colonies had some features of representative democracy that we still see today. For example, each of the colonies had a legislative, executive, and judicial branch. Learn more with this episode!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4740, The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut: The Basic Ideas of Constitutional Government in the Colonies, Part 8 The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut is an important American founding document. The Connecticut Colony has its origins in 1636, when Thomas Hooker led a group of dissenting Puritans from Massachusetts to the Connecticut Valley. Learn why this document was so revolutionary in today's episode!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4739, The Massachusetts Body of Liberties: The Basic Ideas of Constitutional Government in the Colonies, Part 7 Americans have had a tradition of written guarantees of rights since the time of the thirteen colonies. The Massachusetts Body of Liberties of 1641 provides a good example.
60-Second Civics: Episode 4738, Written Guarantees of Rights: The Basic Ideas of Constitutional Government in the Colonies, Part 6 Despite the presence of indentured servitude and slavery in colonial America, many Americans enjoyed written guarantees of their rights.
60-Second Civics: Episode 4737, Slavery in Colonial America: The Basic Ideas of Constitutional Government in the Colonies, Part 5 Slavery was present in the thirteen American colonies since at least the early 1600s. Until slavery was abolished in the mid-nineteenth century, almost 12 million Africans were transported against their will to America. Listen to today's podcast to learn more about the foundations of slavery in the US.
60-Second Civics: Episode 4736, Indentured Servitude in Colonial America: The Basic Ideas of Constitutional Government in the Colonies, Part 4 Land was plentiful in the thirteen American colonies, but labor was scarce. It was also expensive to sail from Britain to America. This reality created incentives for indentured servitude. Learn more about these colonists in today's episode!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4735, The Southern Colonies: The Basic Ideas of Constitutional Government in the Colonies, Part 3 The mostly rural and agricultural southern colonies differed a great deal from both the New England and Middle Colonies. Learn how in today's episode!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4734, The Middle Colonies: Basic Ideas of Rights and Constitutional Government in the Colonies, Part 2 America's Middle Colonies included today's states of Delaware, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. The Middle Colonies different in important ways from the New England colonies. Learn about these key differences in today's episode!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4733, The New England Colonies: Basic Ideas of Rights and Constitutional Government in the Colonies, Part 1 The American colonies can be divided into three regions: New England, the Middle Colonies, and the Southern Colonies. At the time of American independence, in 1776, the New England colonies were Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts. Learn more about this group of colonies in today's episode!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4732, Why All Americans Should Understand the Government: Hispanic Heritage Month, Part 10 In the final episode of our Hispanic Heritage Month series, guest host Hernan Sanchez asks Assemblymember Jose Medina why it is so important for every American to understand how the government works and actively participate in its functions. Listen to learn more!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4731, Priorities in the California State Assembly: Hispanic Heritage Month, Part 9 In our latest Hispanic Heritage Month episode, Assemblymember Jose Medina discusses his priorities in the CA State Assembly with guest host Hernan Sanchez, namely his focus on making higher education affordable and accessible. Listen for more!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4730, Assemblymember Jose Medina's Decision to Run for Office: Hispanic Heritage Month, Part 8 Assemblymember Jose Medina recounts with our guest host, Hernán Sanchez, his reasons for running for office and the figures who motivated him to enact his civic duty in this way.
60-Second Civics: Episode 4729, Hispanic Contributions to American Constitutionalism: Hispanic Heritage Month, Part 7 In our latest Hispanic Heritage Month podcast with guest host Hernan Sanchez, Assemblymember Jose Medina explains the importance of learning about Hispanic cultures and understanding the contributions that Hispanics have made to American Constitutionalism. Listen for more!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4728, Assemblymember Jose Medina's Background: Hispanic Heritage Month, Part 6 This week, we welcome our guest host, Hernan Sanchez, who interviews California Assemblymember Jose Medina about his background as a first-generation American.
60-Second Civics: Episode 4994, Doing the Right Thing Online: Digital Citizenship: Part 2 (rebroadcast) A big part of digital citizenship is doing the right thing online; that is, respecting yourself and everyone else you interact with. Learn how to do this in this episode!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4727, The Importance of Civic Engagement: Hispanic Heritage Month, Part 5 Civic education empowers us to be more informed, active citizens. Learn why civic engagement and education is so important for not only Hispanics, but all Americans in our latest Hispanic Heritage Month episode.
60-Second Civics: Episode 4726, The Importance of Education: Hispanic Heritage Month, Part 4 Despite language and socioeconomic barriers, Hernan Sanchez has been interested in the American school system and education in general from a young age. Listen as he explains the importance of education in his personal experiences and how his experiences have supported his career thus far!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4725, Growing Up as a First-Generation American: Hispanic Heritage Month, Part 3 In our next Hispanic Heritage Month podcast, Hernan Sanchez shares about his family and what it was like to grow up as a first-generation American. Listen to learn more about his experiences!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4724, How Hispanic Cultures Enrich the United States: Hispanic Heritage Month, Part 2 In this episode, Hernan Sanchez discusses some of the various ways that Hispanic cultures enrich the United States. He also explains the difference between the terms Latino and Hispanic, an important distinction in these conversations. Listen for more!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4723, What is Hispanic Heritage Month? Hispanic Heritage Month, Part 1 Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month. During that time, we celebrate the histories, cultures, and also the contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from places like Spain, Mexico, The Caribbean, and Central and South America. Listen as Hernan Sanchez, Coordinator of National Programs for the Center for Civic Education, explains more about the importance of this celebration!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4989, Civic Participation: Democratic Norms, Part 2 Civic participation undergirds American democracy. In fact, it is what makes American democracy thrive. Listen to Dr. Meena Bose explain this important democratic norm in this episode.
60-Second Civics: Episode 4722, The Constitution Is Ratified! Ratifying the Constitution was no easy task. It took several compromises, primarily between Federalists and Anti-Federalists, to reach a document that all the original states could agree upon. Learn about the rough road to ratification in this podcast.
60-Second Civics: Episode 4721, Separated Powers and Parliamentary Systems: We the People with Dr. Scott Casper Pt. 11 In the final episode of our series with Dr. Scott Casper, we ask him what are the strengths and weaknesses of a government with separated branches vs. a parliamentary system?
60-Second Civics: Episode 4720, Objections to the Constitution: We the People with Dr. Scott Casper Pt. 10 While the Constitution is now the respected foundational document for the United States, we ask Dr. Casper: What were the principal objections of opponents of the Constitution?
60-Second Civics: Episode 4719, The Founders' Focus on the Legislative Branch: We the People with Dr. Scott Casper Pt. 9 Why did the Founders spend more time dealing with the legislative branch than the executive branch? Find out in today's episode from the We the People Open Course featuring Dr. Scott Casper.
60-Second Civics: Episode 4718, The System of Separated and Shared Powers: We the People with Dr. Scott Casper Pt. 8 In this episode, Dr. Scott Casper of the American Antiquarian Society assesses the system of separated and shared powers created in the U.S. Constitution.
60-Second Civics: Episode 4717, Election of the President by the Electoral College: We the People with Dr. Scott Casper Pt. 7 In the third part of the video, Dr. Scott Casper discusses the final type of electoral process pondered by the Framers: the Electoral College. Listen for more!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4716, Election of the President by Congress: We the People Open Course with Dr. Scott Casper Pt. 6 In the second of three parts, Dr. Scott Casper discusses the second type of electoral process pondered by the Framers: Election by Congress. Listen for more!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4715, Election of the President by the People: We the People Open Course with Dr. Scott Casper Pt. 5 In the first of three parts, Dr. Scott Casper discusses the first type of electoral process pondered by the Framers: Election by the people. Listen for more!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4714, Designing the Judicial Branch: We the People Open Course with Dr. Scott Casper Pt. 4 What questions did the Framers address in designing the judicial branch? Check out more interviews with Dr. Scott Casper in Unit 2 of the We the People Open Course, a free online course on the U.S. Constitution at Learn.civiced.org.
60-Second Civics: Episode 4713, Designing the Executive Branch: We the People Open Course with Dr. Scott Casper Pt. 3 What questions did the Framers address in designing the executive branch? Check out more interviews with Dr. Scott Casper in Unit 2 of the We the People Open Course, a free online course on the U.S. Constitution at Learn.civiced.org.
60-Second Civics: Episode 4712, Designing the Legislative Branch: We the People Open Course with Dr. Scott Casper Pt. 2 We are once again joined by Dr. Scott Casper in an adapted series from the We the People Open Course, available at learn.civiced.org. Today we ask him: what questions did the Framers address in organizing the legislative branch?
60-Second Civics: Episode 4711, Factors for Designing the National Government: We the People Open Course with Dr. Scott Casper Pt. 1 Today we kick off a special series adapted from the We the People Open Course, a free online course on the U.S. Constitution that you can find at Learn.civiced.org. We're joined by Dr. Scott Casper, president of the American Antiquarian Society. To start, we ask him: What questions did the Framers consider when designing the three branches of the national government?
60-Second Civics: Episode 4710, Promoting a Healthy Democracy: Building Your Skills as a Citizen, Part 5 Of all the duties of citizens, perhaps none is more important than doing your part to ensure the healthy functioning of American constitutional democracy. What can you do to support the survival of our constitutional democracy? Find out today!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4709, Effective Participation: Building Your Skills as a Citizen, Part 4 A fundamental aspect of citizenship is participating in the civic affairs of the community and the nation. However, participation alone is not enough. It is important to participate in an informed, thoughtful, and effective manner. How do you do this? Find out in this episode!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4708, Respecting Individual Worth and Human Dignity: Building Your Skills as a Citizen, Part 3 One key to fulfilling your responsibilities as an American citizen is to respect the value and human dignity of all people. This means treating other people with respect.
60-Second Civics: Episode 4707, Assuming the Responsibilities of a Citizen: Building Your Skills as a Citizen, Part 2 Being a citizen of the United States means fulfilling certain personal, political, and economic responsibilities. Learn what these include and how you can take on these responsibilities in this episode!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4706, Becoming an Independent Member of Society: Building Your Skills as a Citizen, Part 1 Today we launch a special series on the five civic dispositions of the National Assessment for Educational Progress Civics Framework. The first civic disposition stresses the importance of becoming an independent member of society. Listen for more!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4705, Challenging the System: Active Citizenship, Part 5 The American system of government is built on popular sovereignty. However, there have been times in our nation's history when the government did not pursue the common good. Part of being an active citizen is knowing when and how to challenge the system. Here are some principles that can help you.
60-Second Civics: Episode 4704, Serving Your Country: Active Citizenship, Part 4 When you serve your country, you are promoting the common good; that is, the good of everyone in the United States. There are several ways to serve your country. Listen to learn a few!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4703, Political Participation: Active Citizenship, Part 3 Elections have consequences. If you want a say in the political future of our nation, it is up to you to get involved. Luckily, there are many ways to accomplish this. Listen to learn how!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4702, Being an Active Citizen: Active Citizenship, Part 2 Active citizenship means getting involved in the life of your community and nation so that you can help determine the country's future. But how do you do this? Find out more today!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4701, Being an Informed Citizen: Active Citizenship, Part 1 Most American citizens 18 years of age and older have the right to vote and choose our representatives who make our laws. But it is your obligation to cast an informed and responsible vote. Listen for more!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4700, Security: Digital Citizenship, Part 8 The online world is unfortunately full of people who would love to compromise your device and use it for their own purposes. So what can you do to stay secure online? Learn some simple tips today!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4699, Staying Safe: Digital Citizenship, Part 7 The internet and social media can be great places to spend your time, but they also present certain dangers, especially for young people. It???s up to you to be aware of your own personal safety online, but there are a few commonsense recommendations that can help. Listen for these tips!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4698, Privacy: Digital Citizenship, Part 6 When you use digital technology, much of your personal information is collected by the companies that run them. You have a right to privacy, but you should also take steps to protect yourself. Listen for more!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4697, Responsibility: Digital Citizenship, Part 5 An important part of digital citizenship is taking responsibility for your actions on digital platforms.??Part of this is knowing when to engage and when to pull back. Today we share some simple tips for acting with responsibility online!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4696, Full Participation and Equal Access to Technology: Digital Citizenship, Part 4 What does it mean to participate fully in digital civic life? One factor to consider is whether all Americans have equal access to digital technology. But what barriers exist? Listen to learn more!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4695, All About the Benjamins: Digital Citizenship: Part 3 Smartphones and other digital devices make it easy to buy things quickly, but it???s important to protect yourself when shopping online. Learn strategies for shopping smart online in today's episode!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4694, Doing the Right Thing Online: Digital Citizenship: Part 2 A big part of digital citizenship is doing the right thing online; that is, respecting yourself and everyone else you interact with. Learn how to do this in this episode!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4693, What Is Digital Citizenship? Digital Citizenship, Part 1 Young people today face a few unique challenges interacting with digital media. Our new series unpacks how to safely navigate these challenges while ensuring all rights are respected and that everyone is acting with responsibility.
60-Second Civics: Episode 4692, Lessons from Classical Philosophy: Back-to-School Basics, Part 12 The American Founders studied ancient Greek and Roman philosophers to learn about how to create the best form of government. Classical political philosophers taught that human beings are, by nature, social creatures.
60-Second Civics: Episode 4691, Self-government in Virginia: Back-to-School Basics, Part 11 In the more than 150 years of European settlement of the British North American colonies, by 1776 Americans had developed many different ways of organizing local governments. Listen to learn more about self-government in this episode!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4412, William Blackstone's Influence on the American Founders: Back-to-Basics Part 10 William Blackstone's explanations of English law, published between 1765 and 1769, were incredibly influential on the formation of basic rights in America. Listen to today's episode to learn more!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4690, William Blackstone's Influence on the American Founders: Back-to-Basics Part 10 William Blackstone's explanations of English law, published between 1765 and 1769, were incredibly influential on the formation of basic rights in America. Listen to today's episode to learn more!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4684, Native Americans and Colonial America: Back-to-School Basics, Part 5 The American colonists were not the first people on the North American continent. Native Americans had lived on the continent for at least 24,000 years. Listen to this episode to learn a little more about Native Americans during colonial times!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4683, The American Founders: Back to School Basics, Part 2 The American Founders drew on a number of basic ideas and experiences to create the kind of government they believed would best protect the natural rights of Americans and promote the common good. Get introduced to some of the Founders in this episode!
60-Second Civics: Episode 4682, An Adventure in Ideas with We the People: Back to School Basics, Part 1 The history of the American people has been a great adventure in ideas and in trying to make these ideas a reality. Over the next few weeks, 60-Second Civics will explore the important philosophical ideas and historical events that influenced the writing of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
60-Second Civics: Episode 4681, Passing the Buck and Pointing the Finger: Balance of Powers, Part 13 Why has Congress adopted a passing the buck and pointing the finger strategy when it comes to enacting legislation for certain responsibilities? Find out in this episode!
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