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Declaration of Independence
Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. The Declaration of Independence proclaims the 13 colonies' intention to break away from British rule. The declaration asserts the freedom of individual lives and liberty -
Lucy Stone
Lucy Stone was an American orator, abolitionist and suffragist who was a vocal advocate and organizer for promoting women's rights. She was significant as she was an early advocate for antislavery AND women's rights. She became the first woman from Massachusetts to earn a college degree. -
Ain't I a Woman?
Sojourner Truth, former slave, became an American abolitionist who fought for women's and civil rights in her lifetime. In "Ain't I a Woman?" Truth argues for gender equality, emphasizing her strength as a woman and a former slave. She asks repetitive questions to signify why don't they apply to her. -
What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?
Frederick Douglass, former slave and American Abolitionist for the Civil Rights Movement, gave this speech at an Anti-Slavery Society meeting after he was asked to speak about the freedom in American due to the Fourth of July. He passionately opens up about why he should be asked to celebrate the fourth, as America has failed to give him and so many people liberty. -
Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address
Lincoln's second inaugural address was given during the end of the Civil War to unify the broken nation after war. He speaks about many topics as to why we should unify them again. He lightly highlights slavery as one of the reasons of the Civil War. -
Crystal Eastman
Crystal Eastman was an American feminist, socialist, and journalist. She investigated labor conditions and was the first woman to serve on many labor commissions early in her career. She was deep in the face of the most divisive women's issues in the 1910s. -
Roy Wilkins
Roy Wilkins was a prominent activist in the Civil Rights Movement in the 1930s-1970s. He held the top job at the Civil Rights organization for 22 years, beginning in 1955. He helped organized historic marches. -
Brown v. Board of Education
Brown v. Board of Education was a landmark decision by the U.S. Supreme Court which ruled that U.S. state laws establishing racial segregation in public schools are unconstitutional, even if the segregated schools are otherwise equal in quality. "State-sanctioned segregation of public schools was a violation of the 14th amendment and was therefore unconstitutional." -
Rosa Parks
Rosa Parks was an American activist in the Civil Rights movement. Best known for her role in the Montgomery bus boycott, she is honored as the first lady of Civil Rights. She refused to to give up her seat on the bus, as they would move black Americans to the back because of their skin color. -
Martin Luther King Jr.
Martin Luther King Jr, best known for his "I Have a Dream" speech in 1963, was an American activist and political philosopher. He was one of the most predominate and well known leaders in the Civil Rights movement from 1955 to his assassination in 1968. He fought for justice through peaceful protest, leading the movement to end segregation peacefully. -
Freedom Riders
Freedom Riders were Civil Rights activists who boycotted buses into the segregated Southern U.S.. One of the highly known Freedom Riders was Rosa Parks, who wouldn't give up her seat in a bus to a white person. They did this to challenge the U.S. to end segregation. -
"A Letter to My Nephew"
James Baldwin was an American writer, who focused his writing on race, politics, and sexuality. He wrote "A Letter to My Nephew" in a personal tone. He gives insight, highlighting vital parts of racism that exist in the everyday lives of black Americans, hoping for change in his nephew's future. -
March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom
The purpose of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom was to advocate for the civil and economic rights of African Americans. They had an estimated 250,000 people marching, It was the largest gathering for civil rights of its time. -
Selma to Montgomery Marches
The Selma to Montgomery marches were three protest marches, held in 1965, along the 54-mile highway from Selma, Alabama, to the state capital of Montgomery. This march went down in history as Bloody Sunday for the violent beatings state troopers inflicted on protesters as they attempted to march peacefully -
Poor People's Campaign
The Poor People's Campaign was an effort to gain economic justice for poor people in the United States. They sought to address poverty through incoming and housing. The campaign would help poor people by helping their needs. -
Testimony Before the Senate
Gloria Steinem, American journalist and social-political activist, stood before the senate and delivered this speech, advocating for the Equal Rights Movement. She highlights key ideas that explain sex-based myths that have limited women in their lives for so long. She talks about how these myths have dictated women's lives, explaining "Internalized aggression" and how that has applied. -
Commonwealth Club Address
Cesar Chavez, American labor leader and civil rights activist, addressed the Commonwealth Club of California, speaking up about the injustices farm workers had endured in their labor and living conditions. He conveyed his message by using rhetorical devices such as pathos, logos, and ethos to seek support for the United Farm Workers. -
Between the World and Me
Ta-Nehisi Coates, an American writer and journalist who gained readership due to his regarding cultural, social, and political issues, wrote "Between the World and Me' as a letter to his then-teenage son about his perception of what it felt to be black in the U.S.. He highlights the distance between him and white Americans, that roots from our history. He used ethos throughout the letter. -
Harvey Weinstein is My Monster Too
Salma Hayek, Mexican American address and producer, opens up in an article about her experience with former film producer, Harvey Weinstein. She explains how she was treated as only sex appeal by Weinstein, having to turn down his advances multiple times during the filming of their 2002 film Frida. This allowed for more victims to come out, finally convicting Weinstein as a sex offender. -
Barbie
The 2023 Barbie movie highlights the struggles of living as a woman in a patriarchal society, finding one's purpose. America Ferrera, an American actress, gives a motivating and moving speech in the movie. She talks about the double-standard struggles women have to go through, never being enough for society. Somehow everything women do is both right and wrong, never being able to highlight. This touched the hearts of many.