PBS
Pbs News Hour Extra: Supreme Court Considers Free Speech and Protests
Hateful as these actions may seem to many people, do groups still have the right to protest under the First Amendment? Read about the case that the Supreme Court is considering involving protests at a military funeral.
United Nations
United Nations: Human Rights
This is the United Nations site devoted to the topic of human rights. The visitor will find links to various declarations, treaties, and news releases.
Other
Student Press Law Center Legal Brief: Libel Law
Excellent site for students that need to know more about libel laws. Includes a definition of libel, a process to go by in order to avoid a lawsuit, and your defense options if you happen to be involved in a lawsuit.
BBC
Bbc News: Who Are the Northern Alliance
Article describing the multi-ethnic group supported by the U.S. during the war in Afghanistan. Brief biographies of many of the major players in the Northern Alliance. 11/13/01
A&E Television
History.com: When New Seat Belt Laws Drew Fire as a Violation of Personal Freedom
The 1980s battle over safety belt laws reflected widespread ambivalence over the role and value of government regulation. Drivers and passengers complained that seat belts were uncomfortable and restrictive, but the uproar over mandatory...
PBS
Pbs News Hour Extra: Memorial Day, Americans Reflect on Military Service
Information on the creation of Memorial Day as well as more current information on soldiers who have given their lives for our freedom.
Other
North Central Internet News: Trend in Tort Reform Laws
"No fault, no individual freedom, no responsibility" - a commentary on Tort Reform and, in the opinion of the writer, a camouflage to end the fundamental right to have remedy when injury or damage occurs as the result of a wrong...
Other
First Amendment Center
This First Amendment site, partly news and partly background, contains information related to all the aspects of the freedoms outlined in the First Amendment.
PBS
Pbs News Hour Extra: The Iraq War (Students and Teachers)
This site provides coverage of the war with Iraq written for teens. Additional content includes student voices and forums.
Scholastic
Scholastic News: The End of Slavery
January 2, 2013 marked the 150th anniversary of the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation, which ended slavery in the United States. Read about the order and how it was being celebrated on this historical anniversary.
PBS
Pbs News Hour: On Trial: Anonymous Sources (Lesson Plan)
A lesson in which learners investigate issues of journalistic ethics revolving around the reporting of leaked information, promises of confidentiality, and the public's right to know. Students also conduct a mock trial, attempting to...
NPR: National Public Radio
Npr: Jews & African Americans Built Tradition
Read about the history of the Freedom Seder, a Jewish and African-American tradition. Includes an audio version of the story and a video.
Other
Streetlaw: Rights in the Community
This website provides several links and introductory information on the Constitution, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, expression in special places, freedom of religion, due process, the right to privacy, discrimination, and...
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.