250 to 250: 03. Charter Oak, Narrated by Senator Chris Murphy

Heather Cox Richardson and 250 to 250: Charter Oak, Narrated by Senator Chris Murphy

Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut is a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and a leading voice on job creation, affordable health care, education, sensible gun laws, and a forward-looking foreign policy. Senator Murphy tells of Charter Oak, a lasting symbol of independence and American ingenuity at keeping it.

In 1639, colonists in Connecticut wrote the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut.

• It is often called the first written constitution in North America.
• The document said that government gets its power from the people.

In 1662, King Charles II gave Connecticut a Royal Charter.

• The charter allowed the colony to govern itself with a high level of freedom.

Later, King James II wanted to take away that freedom and control Connecticut from England.

• In 1687, he sent a representative to Hartford to take back the charter.
• According to legend, the meeting took place at night in the state house.
• Suddenly, the candles went out and the room became dark.
• When the lights came back, the charter was gone.
• Colonists had secretly hidden the charter in a large oak tree.
• The tree became known as the Charter Oak.
• The British could not find the charter.

Connecticut kept its rights and self-government.

• The charter later became the colony’s governing document again and remained important for more than 100 years.

The Charter Oak became a symbol of liberty and self-government.

POP Interview and Quiz: 

N-400 Part 9:18. Have you ever given any U.S. Government officials any information or documentation that was false, fraudulent, or misleading?

USCIS 100:20/128:23. Who is one of your state’s U.S. Senators now?*

USCIS 100:64.  There were 13 original states.  Name three.

USCIS 128:14. Many documents influenced the U.S. Constitution. Name one.

Family Fun

• LWV Conneticut Student Resources: free activity books, kahoots, slides, and more!