Within the half-billion pages of records in the care of the Center for Legislative Archives, there are some special treasures from the First Congress that show how the ratification of the Constitution necessitated the creation of the Bill of Rights, and how the creation of the Bill of Rights, in turn, completed the Constitution. This remarkable story is told in Congress Creates the Bill of Rights, which consists of a mobile app, an ebook, and online resources for teachers and students.
PGA Tour v. Martin (2001)
Does the Americans with Disabilities Act apply to participants in athletic competitions held in places of public accommodation? This case summary shows how the Supreme Court answered this question in 2001.
Pottawatomie v. Earls (2002)
Is a school system’s random suspicionless drug-testing of students involved in extracurricular activities in violation of the Fourth Amendment? This Supreme Court case summery answers some questions about students’ rights in a high school setting.
Randall v. Sorrell (2006)
Do Vermont’s limits on campaign contributions and spending violate the First Amendment? This case summary shows how the Supreme Court answered this question in 2006.
Rasul v. Bush (2004)
Do U.S. courts have jurisdiction to consider legal appeals filed on behalf of foreign citizens held at Guantanamo? This case summary shows how the Supreme Court answered this question in 2004.
Ricci v. DeStefano (2009)
Can an employer reject the results of an employment test because one racial group scored substantially higher than others? This case summary shows how the Supreme Court answered this question in 2009.
How Federal Courts Impact You Every Day
2018 is the 229th anniversary of the creation of the federal courts. What difference do they make in the daily lives of law-abiding teens? From that first check of the mobile device in the morning to the last newscast at night, decisions made in federal courts touch every aspect of daily life. Who are the judges making the decisions? How are they selected? What is their job description? What is an impartial judiciary? How was the federal court system created?
What Fundamental Ideas about Government Do Americans Share
In this lesson, students will examine some of the fundamental ideas about government that are contained in the Declaration of Independence and the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution. Once the lesson is completed students should be able to explain those ideas and identify which ideas the class holds in common. If in support of these ideas, students will be given an opportunity to go online and add their signature to those of the Founders of our nation who signed the original documents.
The Bill of Rights: Debating the Amendments
In this lesson, students will examine a copy of twelve possible amendments to the United States Constitution as originally sent to the states for their ratification in September of 1789. Students will debate and vote on which of these amendments they would ratify and compare their resulting “Bill of Rights” to the ten amendments ratified by ten states that have since been known by this name.
The Constitution: Counter Revolution or National Salvation
It is Fall 1787. The Federal Convention has recently concluded its closed door meetings in Philadelphia and presented the nation with a new model for the government. It is now up to each special state convention to decide whether to replace the Articles of Confederation with this new constitution. The debate is passionate and speaks directly to what the founding fathers had in mind in conceiving this new nation. Does this new government represent salvation or downfall?