CommonLit
Common Lit: "A Thief Dines Out, Hoping Later to Eat In" by Rick Bragg
In this "New York Times" article, Rick Bragg discusses why Gangaram Mahes prefers jail time to freedom. A specific purpose for reading and vocabulary notes are provided. This site offers links to paired texts, questions and answers, an...
New York Times
New York Times: Sept. 11: One Year Later
The New York Times Learning Network provides a variety of archived news articles, lesson plans, and resources concerning the issues and events that surfaced from the September 11, 2001 attacks.
Other
Mississippi Writers' Page: Ida B. Wells Barnett
The University of Mississippi offers a detailed biography of Ida B. Wells-Barnett (1862-1931) the famous freedom fighter is offered at this site. It includes an extensive bibliography of her works, and works about her, as well as some...
Curated OER
Bbc News: Ghana Celebrates First 50 Years
Ghanaians celebrating the country's fiftieth anniversary of freedom from colonial rule.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Classroom: Our Rights
This book uses historical case studies to explore the rights in the Constitution. Supreme Court cases are used to demonstrate how a right received its modern interpretation, how the right applies today, and how courts and other...
American Rhetoric
American Rhetoric: Robert La Follette: Senate Address:"free Speech in War Time"
This is the text of Robert La Follette's speech to the Senate, "Free Speech in War Time" delivered on October 6, 1917, in the U.S. Senate Chamber, in Washington, D.C.
Bill of Rights Institute
Bill of Rights Institute: Religious Liberty
Use these lesson extensions to help your students understand the historical context of American religious liberty.
Penguin Publishing
Penguin Random House: "Censorship: An Educator's Guide"
Activities, writing prompts, points of discussion and some additional resources are offered here to help with teaching about free speech and censorship.
New York Times
New York Times: Cyber Law Journal
Cyber Law Journal, a weekly publication of the New York Times, reflects on the legal issues raised by the Internet.
Bill of Rights Institute
Bill of Rights Institute: Landmark Court Cases
Landmark court cases regarding religious liberty throughout the history of the U.S.
A&E Television
History.com: When the Supreme Court Ruled a Vaccine Could Be Mandatory
In 1901 a deadly smallpox epidemic tore through the Northeast, prompting the Boston and Cambridge boards of health to order the vaccination of all residents. But some refused to get the shot, claiming the vaccine order violated their...
Other
Society of Professional Journalists: Code of Ethics
The complete text of the Code of Ethics by the Society of Professional Journalists.
US Department of State
U.s. Dept. Of State: 2018 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: China
A comprehensive account of human rights practices in China for the year 2018. Per the US Department of State, China's "human rights record remained poor and worsened in some areas." Sections of the report include: Arbitrary or Unlawful...
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Alien and Sedition Acts
A great description of the Alien and Sedition Acts, passed by the Federalist Congress in 1798. See how the Federalists tried to hang on to power by restricting voting privileges and infringing on free speech and freedom of the press.
Human Rights Watch
Human Rights Watch: Venezuela
Various articles depicting possible human rights violations by the current government of Venezuela. Ranging from the beating of anti government demonstrators to infringements on the freedom of the press, Human Rights Watch has some major...
Bill of Rights Institute
The Bill of Rights Institute: Free Lesson Plans
Free lesson plans concerning the Bill of Rights and the freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution. Included are lessons on important news stories occurring today, as well as lessons on famous Americans and how they executed their rights.
Ohio State University
Osu History Teaching Institute: The Alien and Sedition Acts
Objective of this lesson is to understand the provisions of the Alien and Sedition Acts within their political and constitutional contexts.
PBS
Pbs News Hour: South Africa After Ten Years of Freedom (Lesson Plan)
A lesson plan for exploring the history of South Africa, the system of apartheid, and the changes that have come about since the end of the apartheid era. Lesson has broad applicability to learning about unique methods that can be used...
CNN
Cnn: War in Iraq
A special report by CNN provides information on Iraq after President Bush declared that "Major combat operations in Iraq have ended." Weapons, US and coalition forces, Iraqi forces, the impact of the war on the world, and maps are in...
Human Rights Watch
Human Rights Watch: Conduct of War and Civilian Casualties in Iraq [Pdf]
A lengthy report from the Human Rights Watch on the conduct of the war in Iraq as of the end of 2003, and how the use of "cluster munitions" caused many unnecessary civilian deaths. The report also examines the many Iraqi violations that...
NPR: National Public Radio
Npr: 'World's Cheapest Smartphone' Goes on Sale in India
Read about a new, cheap smartphone on the market in India, and controversy surrounding its legality.
Curated OER
Artist's Rendering of the Freedom Tower Design
National Public Radio provides highlights of both the top national and international news, as well as various editorials, commentaries, and reviews. The majority of the content is available in audio format.
Yale University
The Avalon Project: Declaration of the Rights of Man
After a long debate about what should be included in their Bill of Rights, French leaders eventually came to a "Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen," seventeen articles that laid out a government that protected natural rights....
George Mason University
Roy Rosenzweig Center: Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen
After a long debate about what should be included in their Bill of Rights, French leaders eventually came to a "Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen," seventeen articles that laid out a government that protected natural rights....