We will first read about Q99 from the USCIS M638 quick civics lesson. Then we will discuss the Declaration of Independence, the Compromise of 1850, and abolitionist Fredrick Douglass. Then we will listen to a short reading from Fredrick Douglass speech: “The Meaning of July Fourth for the Negro.” Note that Negro was a common term for Black or African-Americans, but it is not often used today. Let's get started.
I answer: a day that reveals to him, more than all other days in the year, the gross injustice and cruelly to which he is the constant victim.
To him, your celebration is a sham;
your boasted liberty, an unholy license;
your national greatness, swelling vanity;
your sounds of rejoicing are empty and heartless;
your denunciations of tyrants, brass fronted impudence;
your shouts of liberty and equality, hollow mockery;
your prayers and hymns, your sermons and thanksgivings,
with all your religious parade, and solemnity, are, to him, mere bombast,
fraud, deception, impiety, and hypocrisy—a thin veil to cover up crimes which would disgrace a nation of savages...
Listen to and read text from The Meaning of July Fourth for the Negro, written by abolitionist and former slave: Frederick Douglass. Frederick Douglass presented this speech on July 5, 1852 in Rochester, NY. This speech concludes with a poem, a peace prayer, written by William Lloyd Garrison
Watch actor Danny Glover read abolitionist Frederick Douglass's "Fourth of July Speech, 1852" on October 5, 2005 in Los Angeles, California. Part of a reading from Voices of a People's History of the United States (Howard Zinn and Anthony Arnove.)
The U.S. celebrates this Independence Day amid nationwide protests and calls for systemic reforms. In this short film, five young descendants of Frederick Douglass read and respond to excerpts of his famous speech, "What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?" which asks all of us to consider America's long history of denying equal rights to Black Americans.
The administration is also launching a governmentwide effort aimed at encouraging millions of immigrants to apply to become US citizens. Watch the full video here: wh.gov: President Biden Participates in a Naturalization Ceremony
USCIS: For Independence Day USCIS highlights some of the resources for learners and teachers that are related to this important holiday. Includes Thomas Jefferson and the Declaration of Independence and Establishing Independence. USCIS: Civics Questions Playlist USCIS helps you prepare for the civics test by posting a new playlist: one video for each civics and history question asked by different examiners. For Independence Day, check out 100:08, 09, 61, 62, 63, 64, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100. Good job, USCIS!
More Resources American English at State: Celebrate Independence Day(pdf) Americans celebrate Independence Day on July 4 because on July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress approved the Declaration of Independence, officially breaking bonds with England and forming a new independent nation, the United States of America. Jennifer ESL: Lesson 26 - Red, White & Blue Idioms - Happy Fourth of July! Learn six idioms based on the colors red, white, and blue. MORE PRACTICE Rachel's English: 4th of July Traditions Happy 4th of July! This is the day we celebrate America’s independence. Study vocabulary, pronunciation, and phrases as we study REAL English conversation and learn about 4th of July traditions in the US.
This #IndependenceDay, we celebrate our democracy's progress toward a more equitable and prosperous society of the people, by the people, and for the people.
We will discuss the Declaration of Independence, the Compromise of 1850, and abolitionist Fredrick Douglass.
uscitizenpod: US Citizenship Podcast Independence Day Quiz (video) Celebrate Independence Day with uscitizenpod. Here is a quiz based on USCIS 100:08, 09, 61, 62, 63, 64, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100.
One of the themes of this year's Smithsonian Folk Life Festival is immigration. As part of the festival events, a group of 25 children were sworn in as U.S. Citizens, just ahead of America's Independence Day holiday. VOA's Elizabeth Cherneff reports.
One of the themes of this year's Smithsonian Folk Life Festival is immigration. As part of the festival events, a group of 25 children were sworn in as U.S. Citizens, just ahead of America's Independence Day holiday. VOA's Elizabeth Cherneff reports.
In June 1776, a little over a year after the start of the American Revolutionary War, the US Continental Congress huddled together in a hot room in Philadelphia to talk independence. Kenneth C. Davis dives into some of the lesser known facts about the process of writing the Declaration of Independence and questions one very controversial omission.
Lesson by Kenneth C. Davis, animation by Karrot Animation.
In honor of LGBT Pride Month, a single question about the Flag: Long May She Wave! Text: uscitizenpod | Video: Lori Saltis Take the full quiz: LOVE AND PRIDE: A Citizenship Quiz in Honor of LGBT Pride Month (10 questions)
Equal treatment. That’s the idea behind the Civil Rights Act. One part of the legislation, called Title VII deals with the workplace. What does that mean for American workers? VOA explains.
Explore the successes and failures of FDR’s New Deal, a set of legislation during the Great Depression which aimed to save the US economy. In 1932, one in four Americans was unemployed, marking the highest unemployment rate in the country’s history. The Democratic presidential candidate Franklin D. Roosevelt promised a New Deal— a comprehensive set of legislation to support struggling citizens and put the country back to work. Meg Jacobs digs into the policies of this bold campaign and how it didn’t fully live up to its promises.
Lesson by Meg Jacobs, directed by Anton Bogaty.
uscitizenpod: Happy Father's Day from US Citizenship Podcast In 1966, Lyndon B. Johnson issued the first presidential proclamation honoring fathers, designating the third Sunday in June as Father's Day. Six years later, the day was made a permanent national holiday when Richard Nixon signed it into law in 1972. Who signs bills to become laws? a) the President a) the President Pro Tempore b) the Speaker of the House c) the Vice-President Happy Father's Day! #FamiliesBelongTogether
uscitzenpod: USCIS 100:76 Emancipation Proclamation and Juneteenth Today we continue our exploration of the USCIS History and Government questions and African American History. Today we will talk about USCIS 100:76. What did the Emancipation Proclamation do? We will first read about Q76 from the USCIS M638 quick civics lesson. Then we will listen to an interview with Robin Braxton who helps organizes our local Juneteenth festival. Robin will talk about Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day. Juneteenth celebrates the day when slaves in Texas heard about the Emancipation Proclamation. Juneteenth is also a holiday that celebrates African American history and culture. Let's get started!
VOANews: Juneteenth 2020: Balancing Celebration of Emancipation and #BLM Protests June 19, or Juneteenth, is observed by many Americans as the day in 1865 the last slaves in America were told the Civil War had ended and that they were now free. But this year, strikes and protests may accompany barbecues and celebrations amid a national effort demanding racial justice.
A Juneteenth Citizenship Quiz: 19 Civics Questions that Celebrate Freedom
