President Announces National Initiatives On American History, Civics, And Service

Bruce Craig

In a White House Rose Garden ceremony on 17 September, President George W. Bush observed the 215th anniversary of the signing of the United States Constitution by announcing several federally sponsored initiatives designed to "improve students' knowledge of American history, increase their civic involvement, and deepen their love for our great country." The highlight of the event was the President's announcement of a new initiative titled, "Our Documents: A National Initiative on American History, Civics, and Service."

After an introduction by historian David McCullough, the president briefly spoke to the small but select group of invited guests that included representatives from all three branches of government. Bush briefly talked about the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) "We the People" initiative which seeks to encourage scholars, teachers, librarians and others to explore significant themes and events in America's history. He announced a new component to that initiative--a national essay contest entitled the "Idea of Americans Essay Contest"--that asks high school students to write a 1,200-word essay on a topic that challenges them to think about the tenets that define and unite the nation. For more on "We the People," visit <http://www.wethepeople.gov/>.

The president also announced that plans were in the works for a future White House forum on American history and civic education. Bush noted that the forum, "will discuss new policies to improve the teaching of history and civics in elementary and secondary schools, and in our colleges and universities." Specifically, he continued, "we will hear from educators and scholars about ways to better monitor students' understanding of American history and civics, and how to make more of our great national treasures, how to make them more accessible and more relevant to the lives of our students." The President next discussed the "Our Documents" initiative.

The initiative was created out of a collaboration between the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), National History Day, USA Freedom Corps, and the Corporation for National and Community Service. It focuses on one hundred milestone documents selected by NARA and National History Day and drawn from various public laws, Supreme Court decisions, inaugural speeches, treaties, constitutional amendments and other historically significant papers that shaped the American nation. Beginning with Richard Henry Lee's resolution of 1776 calling for American colonies to be "free and independent states" and culminating with the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the document collection is designed to engage students, teachers, and others to explore the nation's civic legacy and reflect on the meanings of citizenship. For additional information on the initiative, visit: <http://www.OurDocuments.gov>.

Later that same day, at East Literature Magnet School in Nashville, Tennessee, the president delivered some additional comments on history. Bush's thoughts reflected the administration's view that American history is "a history of freedom" and that the study of history gives people "a sense of what it means to be an American." For more of the president's speech, visit: <http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2002/09/20020917-7.html>.