2023 Annual Bill of Rights Day Naturalization Ceremony

National Archives: 2023 Annual Bill of Rights Day Naturalization Ceremony

December 15, 2023 in the Rotunda of the National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C.

Presiding: The Honorable Elizabeth Gunn Judge, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Columbia Keynote Remarks: Mrs. Melania Trump Former First Lady of the United States \

New US citizens sworn in at naturalization ceremony

NBC Chicago: New US citizens sworn in at naturalization ceremony 

More than 100 people became U.S. citizens on Monday, a moment many had been long waiting for. NBC 5’s Patrick Fazio has the story.

Melania Trump makes rare public speech

CNN: Melania Trump makes rare public speech 

Former first lady Melania Trump spoke in uncharacteristically personal terms about her experience becoming a US citizen and the challenges she faced traversing a complicated legal system as she made a rare public appearance during a naturalization ceremony at the National Archives in Washington. CNN's Kristen Holmes reports.  Her speech begins 2:52.  Read more here.

Citizenship Resources for Bill of Rights Day

uscitizenpod: Bill of Rights Interview Quizzes
The texts of the Bill of Rights matched with questions from the USCIS N-400 Part 12 and the USCIS 100 History/Government questions.

• A Quick Review of the Bill of Rights and the N-400 Part 12 plus Civics Questions mp3 and pdf and video (2017)
• The Bill of Rights and the N-400 Part 12 plus Civics Questions mp3 and pdf (2016)
• A Citizenship Quiz about the Bill of Rights pdf (2015)

uscitizenpod: Bill of Rights Vocabulary Quizzes

• Bill of Rights pptx https://goo.gl/o4Y2g4
• Bill of Rights Vocabulary Quiz 01
• Bill of Rights Vocabulary Quiz 02
• Bill of Rights Vocabulary Quiz 03
• Bill of Rights Vocabulary Quiz 04
• Bill of Rights Vocabulary Quiz 05
• Bill of Rights Citizenship Quiz

VOA Learning English: What Does the Bill of Rights Say?

What Do the Amendments in the Bill of Rights Say?
I	II	III	IV	V	VI	VII	VIII	IX	X

More Bill of Rights Resources

• Bill of Rights cartoon
• iCivics: Do I have the right? Game
• LearningChocolate.com: U.S. Constitution: Bill of Rights  
• LearningChocolate.com: U.S. Constitution: The First Amendment 
• Library of Congress: Today in History: December 15: Bill of Rights
• LINCS: Civics Resources for Bill of Rights Day
• Listen Speak Read Write: The Bill of Rights
• National Archives: Celebrating Bill of Rights Day
• National Constitution Center: Bill of Rights Day
• TED-ED: A 3-minute guide to the Bill of Rights - Belinda Stutzman
• USCIS: Bill of Rights Day | A More Perfect Union series: The Civics Test Guide to the George Mason Memorial

75th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Share America: 75th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Learn more:

• Resources for Human Rights Day links
• A Citizenship Quiz in Honor of the UDHR and Human Rights Day mp3 and pdf 
• The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) Word Search Puzzle pdf 
• TED-ed: The rights you might not realize you have - Shannon Odell

Welcome Corps

Share America: Welcome Corps

For more information, visit our website: welcomecorps.org and to apply, visit welcomecorps.org/get-started/ This video is available in the following languages: English:    • Welcome Corps   Spanish:    • Cuerpo de bienvenida   French:    • Corps de bienvenue   Chinese:    • 欢迎团   Russian:    • Добро пожаловать, корпорация   Portuguese:    • Corpo de boas-vindas   Arabic:    • فيلق الترحيب   Urdu:    • کارپس کو خوش آمدید   Persian:    • سپاه استقبال  

Roseville hosts welcoming ceremony for 900 new U.S. citizens

 

KCRA 3: Roseville hosts welcoming ceremony for 900 new U.S. citizens

A Visit to America’s Oldest Public Park

VOANews: A Visit to America’s Oldest Public Park 

America’s oldest public park was established in Massachusetts in 1634. Boston Common has seen a lot in its 389-year history and remains as central to city life as it was at its founding centuries ago. VOA’s Dora Mekouar reports from Boston. VOA footage by Adam Greenbaum.

POP QUIZ:

USCIS 100:61. Why did the colonists fight the British? Question 61 Audio (MP3, 356.45 KB)

USCIS 100:69. Who is the “Father of Our Country”? Question 69 Audio (MP3, 138.99 KB)

USCIS 100:70. Who was the first President?* Question 70 Audio (MP3, 141.03 KB)

USCIS 100:06. What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment?* Question 6 Audio (MP3, 313.28 KB)

USCIS 100:51. What are two rights of everyone living in the United States? Question 51 Audio (MP3, 426.66 KB)

USCIS 100:85. What did Martin Luther King, Jr. do?* Question 85 Audio (MP3, 240.8 KB)

USCIS 100:74. Name one problem that led to the Civil War. Question 74 Audio (MP3, 273.37 KB)

USCIS 100:59. Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived? Question 59 Audio (MP3, 192.74 KB)

USCIS 100:64. There were 13 original states. Name three. Question 64 Audio (MP3, 659.02 KB)

USCIS 100:63. When was the Declaration of Independence adopted? Question 63 Audio (MP3, 187.86 KB)

Two Citizenship Questions for Hanukkah

uscitizenpod: Two Citizenship Questions for Hanukkah

Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday known as the Festival of Lights. Hanukkah is observed for eight nights and days which may occur at any time from late November to late December in the Gregorian calendar.

Emma Lazarus (1849-1887) was a Jewish-American poet and activist who used the image of America as a light to the nations when she wrote "The New Colossus" (1883). This poem, which is engraved inside of the Statue of Liberty, talks about the millions of immigrants who came to the United States many of whom came through Ellis Island at the port of New York. The final lines say:

"Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

Manfred Anson (1922-2012), a survivor of the Holocaust, designed this Hanukkah lamp for the centennial of the Statue of Liberty in 1986. Anson used a souvenir figurines to cast the statuettes for the lamp, and the Statue of Liberty torch was transformed into a candle holder. The lamp is surmounted by an American eagle, and the base of each statuette is inscribed with significant dates in Jewish history. This Statue of Liberty Menorah is currently displayed at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, Washington DC.

USCIS 100:95. Where is the Statue of Liberty?*

USCIS 100:10. What is freedom of religion?

Learn more:

A closer look at our Statue of Liberty Hanukkah lamp
http://americanhistory.si.edu/blog/2013/11/a-closer-look-at-our-statue-of-liberty-hanukkah-lamp-now-on-view.html

A Menorah That Honors an Immigrant’s Story: After escaping the Holocaust, Manfred Anson paid tribute to his new home
https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/statue-of-liberty-menorah

Emma Lazarus: Poet Of Exiles
https://mjhnyc.org/exhibitions/emma-lazarus-poet-exiles/

Statue of Liberty National Monument
https://www.nps.gov/stli/index.htm

She Wrote a Nation’s Welcome
https://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/04/arts/design/emma-lazarus-at-museum-of-jewish-heritage-review.html

This One-of-a-Kind Menorah Represents the True Spirit of Thanksgivukkah: A Hanukkah tradition melds with an icon of Americana
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/this-one-of-a-kind-menorah-represents-the-true-spirit-of-thanksgivukkah-180947855/

U.S. Postal Service and Israel Post Jointly Issue Hanukkah Stamps
http://about.usps.com/news/national-releases/2018/pr18_088.htm

What Are Treaties and Alliances?

 

 

National Museum of American Diplomacy: What Are Treaties and Alliances?

Treaties and alliances are two ways the United States formalizes agreements with other countries and international organizations. Treaties are written agreements between nations or between nations and international organizations. Alliances are formal agreements where countries pledge to help one another in a time of need. In this video, you will learn how treaties and alliances help nations build formal relationships. These agreements address different global issues. From copyright protection to border disputes, the United States is part of many treaties and alliances. Learn how treaties and alliances help nations build formal relationships in this video. Want to use this video in your classroom? Find supplementary resources like vocabulary lists, worksheets, and more here: LESSON PLAN

What Are Embassies, Consulates, and Missions?

 

National Museum of American Diplomacy: What Are Embassies, Consulates, and Missions? 

Embassies, consulates, and missions are the places where U.S. government representatives serve in foreign countries. Embassies serve as the headquarters for the State Department and other U.S. government representatives serving in foreign countries. Consulates provide the same services as embassies, but they follow the lead of the embassy. Both embassies and consulates are known collectively as missions, but missions also refer to U.S. representation to international organizations. You can find these buildings all over the world. Each mission has a unique organization and function depending on U.S. foreign policy goals. In this video, learn how U.S. embassies, consulates, and missions operate. Want to use this video in your classroom? Find supplementary resources like vocabulary lists, worksheets, and more here: LESSON PLANS

What Does the U.S. Secretary of State Do?

National Museum of American Diplomacy: What Does the U.S. Secretary of State Do? 

The U.S. Secretary of State leads the U.S. Department of State, America’s lead foreign affairs agency. The Secretary of State holds one of the most important positions in the U.S. government. As the senior member of the President’s Cabinet, this individual is responsible for carrying out the president’s foreign policy decisions and advising the president on issues of international concern. The secretary manages international crises and must be ready to respond to the unexpected anywhere in the world. Learn about America’s top diplomatic representative in this video. 

Want to use this video in your classroom? Find supplementary resources like vocabulary lists, worksheets, and more here: LESS0N PLAN

What Is the State Department?

National Museum of American Diplomacy: What Is the State Department? The U.S. Department of State is the government agency dedicated to protecting Americans and advancing U.S. interests abroad. 

In 1789, the U.S. Department of State, or the State Department, was established with the creation of the U.S. Constitution. Over the past 200 years, this federal agency has evolved to meet the new challenges of the 21st century. Throughout its history, the State Department has led the U.S. government’s foreign policy decisions and assisted Americans all over the world. In this video, understand how the State Department functions. LESSON PLAN

Nearly 900 new U.S. citizens welcomed in Roseville ceremony

CBS Sacramento: Nearly 900 new U.S. citizens welcomed in Roseville ceremony

The National Anthem and the presentation of the Color Guard welcomed nearly 900 people during a naturalization ceremony at The Grounds in Roseville.

Hundreds of Volunteers Get White House Ready for Christmas

VOA News: Hundreds of Volunteers Get White House Ready for Christmas

Every year, thousands of people from across the United States volunteer for a very exclusive holiday experience – the chance to decorate the White House for Christmas. Of all of those applicants, only 300 lucky people are chosen. VOA’s Dora Mekouar reports.

Learn more:

• U.S. Citizenship Resources for the Winter Holidays page
• Holiday Stamps and Religious Freedom pdf (2021)
• A Citizenship Quiz for Christmas  (2021) mp3 / pdf / video

Rosa Parks Day

What does it mean to stand up for something?
How do you show your support for causes you believe in?

TED-ED: The hidden life of Rosa Parks - Riché D. Richardson

Learn about the life of civil rights activist Rosa Parks— her work with the NAACP, bus boycotts, and her lifelong fight against racial inequality.

Throughout her life, Rosa Parks repeatedly challenged racial violence and the prejudiced systems protecting its perpetrators. Her refusal to move to the back of a segregated bus ignited a boycott that lasted 381 days and helped transform civil rights activism into a national movement. But this work came at an enormous risk— and a personal price. Riché D. Richardson details the life of Rosa Parks.

Lesson by Riché D. Richardson, directed by Eido.

Learn more:

Rosa Parks Day is a U.S observance that celebrates the famous civil rights leader Rosa Parks. In different parts of the United States, this day is celebrated on different days. In some areas, it’s celebrated on Rosa Park’s birthday—which is February 4th, and in other areas, it’s celebrated on December 1st. No matter what day it’s observed, however, it’s a good day to learn about the civil rights movement or to take part in activities that support the civil rights movement.

• LOC: Today in History: Dec 1: Rosa Parks Arrested
• NPS: Places of Rosa Parks

POP QUIZ:

12. What is the “rule of law”?

42. Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the states. What is one power of the states? 

55. What are two ways that Americans can participate in their democracy?

84. What movement tried to end racial discrimination?

48. There are four amendments to the Constitution about who can vote. Describe one of them.

37. What does the judicial branch do?

23. Name your U.S. Representative.

Happy National Native American Heritage Month!

November is Native American Heritage Month!

Native American history IS American history, and it is only by recognizing that history that we can build a future that is equitable and inclusive. Happy National Native American Heritage Month!

Resources from US Citizenship Podcast

• U.S. Citizenship Resources for Native American Heritage Month page (2023)
• Deborah Parker (Tulalip) and the Violence Against Women Act (2013) video
• Native American Tribes Puzzle pdf
• A Citizenship Quiz in Honor of Native American Heritage Month (November)
• A Third Citizenship Quiz in Honor of Native American Heritage Month (2018) video / mp3 / pdf 
• A Second Citizenship Quiz in Honor of Native American Heritage Month (2017) video / mp3 / pdf
• 10 USCIS Civics questions focusing on Recent Native American History and Legislation (2016) mp3 / pdf
•  The Muwekma Ohlone Tribe of the San Francisco Bay Region

Happy Birthday San Jose, California!

A Citizenship Quiz in Honor of the Double Birthday of San Jose, CA  mp3 | pdf

Happy Birthday San Jose! Today we are going to celebrate the Double Birthday of San Jose, California.

Today we are going to listen to eight questions from the USCIS 100 questions plus 2 extra credit questions. There is so much to say about San Jose, that I could have asked many more questions, but ten questions in total is just enough. Remember you only have to get 6 out of 10 questions correct to pass the citizenship exam along with the questions from you N-400 plus reading and writing one sentence.

Today when I ask the questions, there will be no answers--you will have to answer the questions yourself. Check your copy of the USCIS questions to make sure that you are correct. Let's get started!

Life in U.S.A.

 

Easy English News: "Life in U.S.A.: U.S. citizenship" - December 2023 Easy English NEWS

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Indigenous People Answer Commonly Googled Questions About Native Americans

Buzz Feed: Indigenous People Answer Commonly Googled Questions About Native Americans

USCIS 100:59. Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived? Question 59 Audio (MP3, 192.74 KB)

USCIS 100:87. Name one American Indian tribe in the United States. Question 87 Audio (MP3, 1.13 MB)

USCIS 100:10. What is freedom of religion? Question 10 Audio (MP3, 174.83 KB)

USCIS 100:100. Name two national U.S. holidays. Question 100 Audio (MP3, 977.39 KB)

USCIS 100:64. There were 13 original states. Name three. Question 64 Audio (MP3, 659.02 KB)

USCIS 100:71. What territory did the United States buy from France in 1803? Question 71 Audio (MP3, 252.61 KB)

USCIS 100:91. Name one U.S. territory. Question 91 Audio (MP3, 348.71 KB)

USCIS 100:92. Name one state that borders Canada. Question 92 Audio (MP3, 624.4 KB)

USCIS 100:93. Name one state that borders Mexico. Question 93 Audio (MP3, 287.63 KB)