University of Missouri
Famous Trials: The Trials of Mary Dyer (1659 & 1660)
Mary Dyer was on a spiritual quest to Boston, to Portsmouth, to Newport, and to the northwest coast of England, where she became an ardent member of a new religion - a Quaker, or a member of the Society of Friends. Determined to spread...
PBS
Pbs Online News Hour: Virtual Victory?
Discussion of the implications of the Supreme Court ruling against the constitutionality of the Communications Decency Act, including give and take on the meaning of the decision for children. Includes transcript of discussion, and link...
BBC
Bbc News: Story of the War in Iraq
Interactive web page that tells the story of the war in Iraq through pictures, audio, and video.
NBC
Nbc Learn: Free Resources: Finishing the Dream: Learning From Civil Rights Era
Over one hundred video clips, culled from NBS News archives, document events and issues of the civil rights era, from 1954-68. Also includes contemporary perspectives on civil rights, with videos of town hall-style conversations about...
Other
Electronic Frontier Foundation
This resource is devoted to protecting digital rights through the expertise of lawyers, policy analysts, activists, and technologists and the website contains press releases, court cases and an action center.
Library of Virginia
Virginia Memory: Constitution Day Activities: Middle and High 2
What would life be like without the freedoms of speech, press, religion, assembly, and the right to petition?
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Beginnings of Revolutionary Thinking: Trial of John Peter Zenger
Freedom of the press? That was not always an accepted right. Read about the trial of John Peter Zenger, who was accused of libel for printing truths about the royal governor of New York. Find out the outcome of the trial and what it...
Digital History
Digital History: The Emergence of New Ideas About Personal Liberties
American colonists expected to have "English rights" as supported by the Magna Carta and the English Bill of Rights. See how these rights were applied in the trial of John Peter Zenger, whose acquittal reflected the right of freedom of...
Savvas Learning
Changing Views of Free Speech
An easy to follow flow chart that shows how the idea of freedom of speech has changed throughout the years. Make sure to click on each box of information to get a more in depth description.
PBS
Soldiers Without Swords: Treason? African Americans in World War Ii
Article describes the dilemma of African Americans during WWII, including legislation attempting to restrict the black press.
Siteseen
Siteseen: Government and Constitution: 1st Amendment
Short, simple summary with the full text of the 1st amendment of the Bill of Rights detailing freedom of religion, the freedom of the press, and freedom of expression in the Constitution.
Other
Freedom Forum: First Amendment Struggles & Triumphs
Find out how the First Amendment serves citizens in real life by reading about Daniel Ellsberg, Mary Beth Tinker, and Alton T. Lemon, all of whom were principal litigants in landmark Supreme Court cases regarding the freedom of expression.
Read Works
Read Works: Don't Know Much About Liberty
[Free Registration/Login Required] Students read about the freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment to the Constitution. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in classifying and categorizing.
University of Missouri
Exploring Constitutional Conflicts: The "Clear and Present Danger" Test
Modern first amendment law was formed by cases during the WWI era. Were dissent and subversive activity protected by freedom of speech? Examine five cases that answered this constitutional question. Included are the full opinions of the...
PBS
Pbs News Hour: The Cost of the War in Iraq (Lesson Plan)
A lesson for examining the projected costs of war, both short-term and long-term costs as of 2003, and for identifying how war funds are spent. Students will gain understanding of the logistics of war and the nuances of creating a budget.
PBS
Pbs Online News Hour: Iraq in Transition
Web page with biographical information about key players in the war with Iraq.
FOX News
Fox News: Deadly Attack on Us Military Base
Report on the deadly attack on a U.S. base in Mosul, part of the continuing insurgency in Iraq. 12/22/2004
Thomson Reuters
Find Law: u.s. Constitution: First Amendment Protections
This resource contains an annotated look at the different topics covered within the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Click on any subtopic link for in-depth information about that part of the First Amendment.
Choices Program, Brown University
Choices: The Struggle to Define Free Speech: From Skokie to Paris
Relevant resource on free speech in which students examine how different societies define freedom of expression. Through multi-media sources students look at historical sources as well as current controveries over free speech.
US National Archives
White House: President Discusses Beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom
In this transcript of President George W. Bush's radio announcement to the country concerning the invasion of Iraq, he explains the nation's reasons for entering into war. (March 22, 2003)
Other
Us Courts: First Amendment Activities
Activities for students that make learning about the 1st Amendment relevant by applying landmark Supreme Court cases to contemporary scenarios related to the five parts of the First Amendment and rights to freedom of religion, speech,...
Other
Aclu: American Civil Liberties Union
Official home of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). Learn about American news, what's going on with the Supreme Court and new legislation, and more at this online interest group.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: Democracy in Amer.: Civil Liberties: Safeguarding Individual
Do you understand what happens when there are disputes over the interpretation and protection of civil liberties as defined in the Bill of Rights? When do the rights of the individual trump the perceived needs of society, and when do...
PBS
Pbs Teachers: Freedom From Oppression (Editorial Writing Lesson Plan)
A lesson plan designed to investigate instances of genocide both historical and recent. Directs students to take on roles as members of the press and create editorials that describe genocidal tragedies and that also outline steps...