Tuesday, September 22, 2026

250 to 250:117. “Boys in Blue” Speech, Narrated by Tom Nichols


Heather Cox Richardson and 250 to 250: “Boys in Blue” Speech, Narrated by Tom Nichols

Tom Nichols is a bestselling author, political commentator, five-time undefeated Jeopardy! champion, and Professor Emeritus of national security affairs at the U.S. Naval War College. Here, Nichols profiles James A. Garfield, who defied his era to champion Black civil rights more forcefully than any president until Lyndon Johnson.

By 1880, many Republicans focused more on big business and less on civil rights.
  • In 1880, James A. Garfield was the Republican candidate for president.
  • He gave a speech in New York.
  • He remembered the Black soldiers fought for the Union during the Civil War.
  • He wanted Black and white Americans to have equal rights.
  • He promised to support their civil rights.  He said:
  • "until the sun of liberty fixed in the firmament of our constitution shall shine with equal ray upon every man black or white throughout the union.
Garfield became president in 1881.


POP Interview and Civics Quiz: 
  • USCIS N-400 Part 9:31. Do you support the Constitution and the form of Government of the United States?
  • USCIS 100:02. What does the Constiution do?
  • USCIS 128:03. Name one thing the U.S. Constitution does.
  • Read: What do American citizens have?
  • Write: American citizens have the right to vote. 


Family Fun:

No comments: