New Interactive Declaration of Independence and 250th Anniversary-Inspired Videos, Essays, and Teaching Resources 

We are thrilled to announce two new, free digital resources: the Interactive Declaration of Independence and the America at 250 Civic Toolkit that are now available to inspire students to explore the principles and ideas that shape our nation starting in 2026, through the Constitution’s 250th anniversary in 2037.

Here are the highlights:

• The Interactive Declaration of Independence features scholarly analysis of the text, historical significance, and modern relevance, along with engaging animated videos and biographies of members of the founding generation.
• The America at 250 Civic Toolkit convenes great American historians to write about the big ideas of the Declaration and the Constitution in celebration of the 250th anniversary.

Paired with each digital resource, you will find free teaching activities, such as graphic organizers, discussion questions, video note-taking guides, and more, designed to support student exploration of the founding documents and principles. We are also offering professional development opportunities throughout the year, virtually and in-person, that will support you in teaching with these new resources and major themes.

We invite you and your students to join us virtually on Constitution Day to learn more about these resources and kick-off 250th celebrations at two special events:

📅 Student Town Hall: A Conversation With Benjamin Franklin Featuring Carol Berkin

Wednesday, September 17 | 11:15 a.m. ET

Historian and author Carol Berkin will lead a discussion with one of history’s favorite founding figures: Benjamin Franklin. This special program will explore Franklin’s life, his contributions to our nation’s founding documents, and the impact that our founders’ legacies have on America 250 years later. Benjamin Franklin will be portrayed by a professional re-enactor.

📅 Virtual Event for Educators — Launch of the America at 250 Civic Toolkit

Wednesday, September 17 | 1:30 p.m. ET

National Constitution Center Vice President of Civic Education Julie Silverbrook is joined by historian and author Carol Berkin and legal scholar Mary Sarah Bilder to launch the America at 250 Civic Toolkit. National Constitution Center Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Vince Stango will offer introductory remarks.

Learn With Us: Declaring Independence

Our monthly virtual professional learning sessions for the 2025-2026 academic year begin tonight, starting with a session on the Declaration of Independence.

Declaring Independence

Tonight: Wednesday, September 10

Online | 6:30-8:00 p.m. ET

During the session tonight, participants will explore fundamental principles, documents, and stories from the Founding era. Join us as scholar Tara Grove uses the Declaration of Independence to examine why the founders declared independence in 1776.

Participants will also learn about classroom-ready resources from Beck Stephens, a member of the Center’s Teacher Advisory Board, to gain insight into how to bring this content back to their students.

Your Go-To Classroom Companion for America’s 250th

Looking for one place to support your lesson planning all year long in the lead up to Americas 250th birthday?

Say hello to your new favorite planning tool—our free 2025–2026 Civic Calendar.

This isn’t just a calendar. It’s a month-by-month guide to weaving the founding stories of the United States into your lessons in a way that’s timely, meaningful, and complimentary to your existing plans. Each month spotlights revolutionary moments and themes that helped shape the road to 1776, with ready-to-use discussion questions and links to related free resources from the Interactive Declaration of Independence and America at 250 Civic Toolkit.

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Constitution 101 | Professional Learning | Virtual Student Programs | Events Calendar 

About the National Constitution Center’s Educational Resources 

The National Constitution Center provides K-12 curriculum, professional learning, and student programs that make constitutional education engaging and relevant. Learn more at: constitutioncenter.org/education.

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