We are celebrating the Declaration of Independence, where our Founders declared that we have unalienable rights, “that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness (including your property rights).” We learn of the self-evident truth that all men are created equal and that “all” means “ALL.” Yet, we find a significant number of […]
Embracing the Spirit of Flag Day
(This post had over 3,500 “likes” this week on Facebook, so I’m repeating here and in my weekly update. I hope you find it encouraging. 🇺🇸) “As long as we stand united under the American flag, there is no challenge we cannot overcome. It is a symbol of our resilience and strength.” – Unknown Flags for […]
Opportunity Plus Preparedness
Here’s a thought to ponder as we head into a long Memorial Day weekend…. The person “born on third base” may have an easier time getting to “home plate” than the one born in “the dugout.” Both can make it to “home plate.” Both still have to be alert for opportunities to get to their […]
Honoring Heroes: Memorial Day Traditions
How are you celebrating Memorial Day this year? Even better, who are you remembering? I was surprised that some of my students had no attachment to our American holidays except to eat food with family. Their response prompted me to ask you about your traditions for celebrating Memorial Day. Understanding Memorial Day Maybe younger generations […]
President’s Day Reflections on Freedom
President’s Day is here. One way I celebrate the day is by considering the wise sayings of some of our nation’s leaders: Pour a tea or coffee and join me as we take a moment to embrace our personal responsibility to keep the cause of freedom alive. Washington and Lincoln “The Constitution is the guide […]
The 2025 Wave of New Laws
As 2025 dawns, a tidal wave of new laws is set to reshape our daily lives. Are you ready? I’m usually curious to see the year in review that we are leaving behind, but not this morning. I’m looking at— hold your breath— new laws that you and I must follow as of midnight, January […]
Washington’s Christmas Crossing
Christmas overnight, December 25-26, 1776. Rain turned to sleet, then ice, into a biting storm from the northeast. Who would brave a night like that with a poorly clad, hungry, tired army and the need to cross the ice-choked Delaware River? General George Washington would. A Stormy Night and a Desperate Plan The army was […]
1776: Christmas Defined America’s Destiny
This time of year always takes me back to the War for Independence, 1776. Without the bravery of those early Americans, you and I would not be celebrating Christmas as Americans today. I came across this article from William J. Federer in his email piece for December 19, 2024, called “The American Minute.” Federer sets […]
A Day That Will Live in Infamy (If We Tell the Story)
Is it a day that lives in infamy? That’s what FDR said concerning December 7, 1941, when ”the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.” To live in infamy means that a criminal or evil act will be remembered for time immemorial. Yet, I’m […]
Will the Real Christopher Columbus Please Stand
(This is a reprint of an article I published a couple of years ago. Its goal is to refresh our knowledge of Christopher Columbus instead of relying on hearsay). Think you know a lot about Columbus? After all, many of us rely on stories from childhood or on contemporary professors for an assessment of Columbus. […]
Memorial Day: Preserving the Tradition and Educating the Young
How are you celebrating Memorial Day this year? More importantly, who are you remembering? I was surprised that some of my students had no attachment to this American holiday except to eat food with family. Their response prompted me to ask you about your traditions for celebrating Memorial Day. Our Kids: Do They Understand the […]
December 7th, 1941- “A Date That Will Live In Infamy”
Will December 7th, 1941 be “a date that will live in infamy?’ Not if we don’t pause, reflect on the lessons of history, and pass it on to our children. This week, I taught a Jr. High Civics lesson on Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day to my students. They were particularly interested in the wreckage of […]
A Time of Thanksgiving
Welcome back to Common Sense Civics and Citizenship! At this time of Thanksgiving, please know how thankful I am for your participation in reading this blog or even stopping by to see what area of civics and citizenship we are covering each week. Thank you! Thanksgiving is a holiday of gratitude. We look back to […]
Veterans Day
November 11, Veterans. Day. Conversation about real American heroes is in short supply today, so let’s take a moment to discuss the importance of the Veteran. Why is Veterans Day important? Your first reaction might be, “Who would ask such a thing? Of course, the Veteran is important!” But why should you care? These eternally […]
September 11-What Do You Remember?
(In honor of our first fighters and responders in the War On Terror) About September 11, they say, “We will always remember.” What will we always remember? What memories will we pass down to our posterity? -the shock of villains using our freedoms against us -no longer naive about freedom and safety; we are never […]
