Get high school historians to step outside their own shoes by responding to JFK's inaugural address from the perspective of a civil rights activist, a soviet diplomat, or a Cuban exile. After a class discussion about the address, the...

One of the reasons presidential inaugural speeches are so inspiring is the way word choice reflects the historical context of the time. An interactive timeline invites learners to click on their president of choice and view the most...

How do the inauguration ceremonies of a president-elect reflect the values of that president? This is the question presented to government students as they research and compare the inaugurations of John F. Kennedy in 1961 and...

The crisis at Fort Sumter and events related to criminology create an intriguing activity for high schoolers. When clicked on, each box goes into a different part of the event. It also includes the aftermath of the battle in American...

Speech, speech! Analyzing speeches is no easy task. High schoolers learn the important process of annotation as they work together to analyze Lincoln's inaugural address. Then groups of four work to annotate a second speech at a more...

Get the youngest American citizens involved in the presidential election and inauguration with a set of social studies activities. Focusing on the history of presidential inauguration ceremonies, learners draft their own poems, design...

Abraham Lincoln's words carried American democracy through one of its most tenuous and violent moments in the nation's short history. Explore an interactive timeline that places events of the 19th century in the context of Lincoln's...

Soon after the world entered the 21st century, George Walker Bush was sworn in as the 43rd president of the United States. With days of inspiration, terrorism, and cooperation ahead of him, President Bush addresses the country with a...

The theme of President William Jefferson Clinton's 1993 inaugural speech was renewal. Focusing on change for the future and peaceful diplomacy, the 42nd president of the United States addresses a hopeful nation nearing the turn of the...

President George Herbert Walker Bush, sworn in as the 41st president of the United States, addresses the nation on January 20, 1989. He connects patriotism with hard work, citizenship with compassion, and strength in both American...

A lesson on presidential inaugurations would not be complete without President Ronald Reagan's optimistic assessment of the democratic election system. Addressing the nation on the day of his first inaugural address, January 20, 1981,...

Richard Nixon, newly sworn in as the 37th president of the United States, reflects on the decades between his January 20, 1969 inaugural address and the beginning of the next millennium. Emphasizing the American dream, peace versus war,...

Rocked by the sudden assassination of their beloved President John F. Kennedy, the American people elected Lyndon B. Johnson to be the 36th president of the United States. President Johnson addresses his fellow citizens from the Capitol...

The strong, direct words of President John F. Kennedy's inaugural address provided a philosophical turning point to 20th century American democracy. For 13 poignant minutes, the 35th president cautioned his fellow citizens about showing...

Is Inauguration Day always on January 20th? Do incoming presidents always take the oath of office on a Bible? Learn the answers to these questions and more with an informative and entertaining video about Inauguration Day.

Inauguration Day is a time-honored tradition to celebrate the transition between presidential inaugurations. How much do you know about the history of the ceremony itself? High schoolers test knowledge about Inauguration Day with an...

President Dwight D. Eisenhower was a principled man who valued common sense, decency, and national security, and who made these values the cornerstones of his eight years in office. Middle and high schoolers watch as the 33rd president...

The Chicago Daily Tribune, along with many Americans, did not expect Harry S. Truman to win the 1948 presidential election. Yet on January 20, 1949, he took the oath of office and addressed the nation as the 32nd president of the United...

Though President Franklin Delano Roosevelt led the United States for a record-breaking four terms, he began his administration with a single day of pomp, circumstance, and inspiring words. Young historians watch and listen to footage of...

A presidential term may be four years long, but the first 100 days can have a huge impact on the remaining 1,360. After viewing a video about the eventful beginning days of Franklin D. Roosevelt's first term, young historians work...

The United States government functions smoothly only with the successful and peaceful transition of power. Explore the ways that presidential inaugurations can set the tone for these transitions, from careful planning beforehand to...

An inaugural address represents the first moments of a new beginning. Using John F. Kennedy's speech as a model for guided practice, groups examine the ingredients of an inaugural address. Individuals then repeat the analysis process...

Take a close look at FDR's inaugural address. Learners read the text, answer text-dependent questions, and jot down some response ideas for discussion questions.