The U.S. Capitol Historical Society wants to help develop America’s next generation of citizens and leaders by promoting the values of our democracy. We encourage teachers and parents to use the below educational videos to help young people understand their history and what they can do to make a difference.
We the People Constitution Tour
The Society was proud to work with NBC News to produce our “We the People” series that explores the history and meaning of our founding documents, the Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution, and the three branches that form our democracy: The Legislative Branch and Congress, the Executive Branch and the Presidency, and the Judicial Branch and the Supreme Court.
The U.S. Constitution
The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution are known as our Bill of Rights, which serve as a guarantee for our freedoms. But these amendments almost didn’t happen. Join a group of middle schoolers on a tour of Washington, D.C. as they learn about the Constitution and what it means to be “We the People.” The “We the People” videos are produced in collaboration with the U.S. Capitol Historical Society.
The U.S. Capitol
Of the three branches of our government, many believe that the most important is the one directly elected by “We the People”: the legislative branch, represented by the two houses of the U.S. Congress at the Capitol building. Join a group of middle schoolers on a tour of Washington, D.C. as they learn about the Constitution and what it means to be “We the People.” The “We the People” videos are produced in collaboration with the U.S. Capitol Historical Society.
The White House
The president of the United States serves as the chief executive and commander of the armed forces, all defined in Article II of the Constitution as the executive branch. Join a group of middle schoolers on a tour of Washington, D.C. as they learn about the Constitution and what it means to be “We the People.” The “We the People” videos are produced in collaboration with the U.S. Capitol Historical Society.
The Supreme Court
Article III of the Constitution sets up the third and final branch of our government, the judicial branch. At its head is the Supreme Court. Join a group of middle schoolers on a tour of Washington, D.C. as they learn about the Constitution and what it means to be “We the People.” The “We the People” videos are produced in collaboration with the U.S. Capitol Historical Society.
The Declaration of Independence
Once a vision for the United States of America, crafted by our founding fathers, the Declaration of Independence is preserved as living proof of our history at the National Archives and Records Administration. Join a group of middle schoolers on a tour of Washington, D.C. as they learn about this document and others and what it means to be “We the People.” The “We the People” videos are produced in collaboration with the U.S. Capitol Historical Society.
The City of U.S.: A Virtual Field Trip to Washington, D.C.
Discovery Education and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden welcome students to a behind-the-scenes Virtual Field Trip to experience the history and beauty of our nation’s capital, with a look inside the White House, U.S. Capitol, Supreme Court, Martin Luther King Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery and Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum.
Capitol Kid Series
Our online “Capitol Kids” series brings children’s and young adult authors to classrooms nationwide. By discussing American history in a fun and exciting way, we hope our students are inspired to participate in their democracy.
