Two years has passed since the devastating attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. In observance of the anniversary of the attacks, Constitutional Rights Foundation has prepared "Reflecting on September 11," a series of online lessons and resources designed for classroom use.

Classroom Commemoration for September 11, 2003—A brief discussion activity for the anniversary of September 11.
America Responds to Terrorism—Lessons, links, and resources
Foundations of Our Constitution—Readings and activities exploring origins of American democracy
Fostering Diversity—Readings, activities, project plans and ideas designed to support school and community diversity

America Responds to Terrorism
Online Lessons Since 9/11, CRF has assembled a series of online lessons designed to help young people deal with: Terrorism | Reactions to Tragedy | Information and Disinformation |
Civil Liberties | Islamic Issues | International Law |

Terrorism Links A comprehensive set of links to lessons, media sources, government sources, and information on the Middle East, Afghanistan, Osama bin Laden, maps and geography, Islam, tolerance, think tanks, commentary, and other collections of links on terrorism.


Foundations of Our Constitution  
Readings and activities about documents that serve as the foundation for American democracy.

The Magna Carta  (1215) Chafing under the despotic rule of King John, rebellious British noblemen forced their ruler to sign the Magna Carta. The 63 clauses of this document defined and limited the feudal rights of the monarch.

The Mayflower Compact (1620) Signed by 41 adult male passengers on the Mayflower while still at sea off the New England coast, the compact established a preliminary, majority-rule government for the Pilgrims.

The Declaration of Independence (1776) A statement of principles in which the 13 American colonies justified their separation from Great Britain. Famous for its combination of ideals and practical statements, the Declaration proclaims that government is responsible to its people and must be ruled by the consent of the governed.

The Federalist Papers (1787-88) A series of 85 articles written anonymously by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay. Originally published in New York newspapers, the papers were designed to persuade New Yorkers to ratify the Constitution. Today, the Federalist Papers help clarify what the Constitution’s authors intended.

The Constitution (1787) Over 200 years ago, delegates to the Philadelphia Convention signed the document that was to become our Constitution.  Yet, the quest for a constitution did not begin or end in Philadelphia. Its origins go back 2,000 years, to ancient Greece and Aristotle. 

The Pledge of Allegiance (1892)  According to its author, utopian novelist Francis Bellamy, this well-known oath "began as an intensive communing with. . . our national history, from the Declaration of Independence onwards. . . ." It has been the subject of controversy for more than a century.