At a moment of crisis over our national identity, journalist Dan Rather reflects on what it means to be an American. He reminds us of the principles upon which the United States was founded. Looking at the freedoms that define us, from the vote to the press; the values that have transformed us, from empathy to inclusion to service; the institutions that sustain us, such as public education; and the traits that helped form our young country, such as...

"Most of human history is full of the stories of peasants, subjects, or tribes. The concept of the "citizen," an idea we take for granted, is historically quite rare-and was, until recently, amongst America's most profoundly cherished ideals. But without shock treatment, warns historian and conservative political commentator Victor Davis Hanson, American citizenship as we have known it for well over two centuries may soon vanish. In The Dying Citizen,...

What does the word "citizenship" mean? Is it about the official piece of paper? Or is it something more? Youth Art Team artists invited people to a potluck to share their personal stories together over a meal. The seven people who accepted the invitation came to Iowa from six different countries. Everyone prepared a special food dish to share, and guests brought objects from home to help them tell their stories. When asked, "What makes you feel at...

"A bold guide to how we must re-envision citizenship if American democracy is to survive The United States faces dangerous threats from Russia, China, North Korea, Iran, terrorists, climate change, and future pandemics, but the greatest peril to the country comes not from abroad but from within, from none other than ourselves. The question facing us is whether we are prepared to do what is necessary to save our democracy. The Bill of Obligations is...

"Part of an inspiring series of books that will support students to understand government and civics in modern America through the historical events and people that have shaped them, My Vote Counts will interweave historical context, events and personalities with the experiences of modern Americans to help students understand key social studies topics including the origins of American institutions and values and their relevance to young people’s...

Benjamin draws on her own experiences as well as research to show how we can build a more just world--one small, and viral, step at a time. Long before the pandemic, Benjamin was doing groundbreaking research on race, technology, and justice, focusing on big, structural changes. The twin plagues of COVID-19 and anti-Black police violence inspired her to rethink the importance of small, individual actions. Here she explores how we can transform society...

Everything you need to become a naturalized U.S. citizen The sooner a green card holder becomes a U.S. citizen, the sooner he or she gains a host of benefits: the right to vote and apply for certain federal jobs, faster immigration for family, protection against deportation or new anti-immigration legislation, and more. But the application process itself can be long and confusing-and at worst, create a risk of deportation. With Becoming a U.S. Citizen,...

"This timely collection of speeches by David McCullough, the most honored historian in the United States--winner of two Pulitzer Prizes, two National Book Awards, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom, among many other honors--reminds us of fundamental American principles. Over the course of his distinguished career, David McCullough has spoken before Congress, the White House, colleges and universities, historical societies, and other esteemed institutions....

A boy and his mother refuse to identify themselves as American or Canadian at the border and become caught in the limbo between nations when they claim their citizenship as Blackfoot.