In just two years, the United States will celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, a monumental occasion that calls for reflection on the past and a renewed commitment to the future. This significant milestone offers an opportunity to educate Americans about the principles of democratic self-governance through a deeper understanding of history and civics. An informed and engaged citizenry is essential for sustaining democracy, encouraging awareness of our shared past, and fostering a commitment to the rights and responsibilities of citizenship.
The Virginia Museum of History & Culture (VMHC), the state’s oldest and one of the nation’s most prestigious history museums, is poised to play a pivotal role in this commemoration. VMHC plans a substantial investment in history and civics education leading up to and beyond 2026. Partnering with the John Marshall Center for Constitutional History & Civics, VMHC will become a statewide hub for civics education, aiming to create a lasting legacy for future generations. This initiative includes exhibitions, public programs, publications, and various efforts to document and preserve Virginia’s rich history.
Launch of Civics Connects: A New Resource for Education
As part of America’s 250th anniversary celebrations, VMHC will host one of the largest citizenship naturalization ceremonies in Virginia, welcoming new citizens who have shown a profound understanding of American history and civics. Concurrently, VMHC will introduce Civics Connects, a free and comprehensive educational resource designed for Virginia’s middle school students. This initiative addresses the pressing need for improved civics education, which has been declining even before the pandemic-induced learning loss.
Civics Connects aims to tackle America’s “civics crisis,” highlighted by low test scores and widespread ignorance about democratic principles and systems. Alarming statistics reveal that only one in three Americans can pass the U.S. Citizenship Test, fewer than half can name all three branches of government, and about one in four cannot name any branch. Moreover, nearly half of young Americans doubt the superiority of democracy over other forms of government. Against this backdrop, Civics Connects will offer a robust toolkit for inquiry-based learning, aligned with both Virginia and national standards.
This resource, developed with input from Virginia educators, includes lesson plans, interactive slides, classroom activities, and videos featuring middle school students exploring significant sites such as the Virginia Capitol, VMHC, the National Archives, and the White House. These tools aim to instill a thorough understanding of America’s founding documents, democratic principles, and constitutional rights and responsibilities. The program also offers opportunities for students to interact with experts and participate in unique museum experiences.
Building a Foundation for Engaged Citizenship
A key component of Civics Connects is the Civics Ambassador Corps, consisting of selected educators from across Virginia. These ambassadors will pilot and promote the program starting in the 2024-25 academic year, coinciding with Virginia’s transition to new Standards of Learning. This shift includes moving civics education from the eighth grade to the seventh grade, ensuring students enter high school with a solid foundation in civics.
Civics Connects is designed to support students and educators through this transition and beyond, promoting a strong civic education foundation that inspires lifelong engagement. VMHC urges all Virginians and Americans to seize this unique moment in history by prioritizing history and civics education at home and in their communities, and by supporting educational organizations like VMHC.
Jamie O. Bosket, the president and CEO of the Virginia Museum of History & Culture, emphasizes the importance of this initiative in fostering an informed and engaged citizenry. America’s 250th anniversary is not just a time to look back, but also a time to invest in the future, ensuring that the principles of democracy continue to thrive for generations to come.
