Independence Days

Resources for Teachers

Check out these interdisciplinary activity ideas, and online resources for your classroom from PBS Teachers.

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Teaching Ideas

Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness

Perhaps the best-known part of the Declaration of Independence is Jefferson's assertion that "all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

Although this idea seems obvious to many today because it is so engrained in the American consciousness, in the 18th century it was truly revolutionary. But even today, many ask--what is "the pursuit of happiness"? What does a right to "Life" encompass? What does "Liberty" really mean for individuals and groups?

Visitors to the PBS Thomas Jefferson Web site were invited to submit photographs that illustrated their perceptions of "the pursuit of happiness." With students, visit the Photo Gallery on the site and examine the submissions. Which ones do your students find particularly meaningful? How many interpretations of "happiness" do they see there?

Using disposable cameras or magazine photos, help students create their own photo collages illustrating "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." These may be displayed in your school, the public library, the city government center, etc.

With older students, visit the PBS Thomas Jefferson Web site and read the interviews with historian Daniel Boorstin, writer Gore Vidal, columnist George Will and civil rights activist Julian Bond, who reflect on the concepts of "liberty" and "pursuit of happiness." How do their interpretations differ? How does each person's impression of "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" differ from students' own perceptions?

Independence Days Calendar

Ask your students to list as many independence days as they can; their list might include July 4 (U.S.); July 14 (France, Bastille Day); May 5 (Mexico, Cinqo de Mayo); and others.

Encourage students to research selected other countries as well. They might choose to learn more about India, Nigeria, Australia, Indonesia, Singapore, South Africa, Taiwan, or others. Begin with the list of links below.

As students conduct their research, encourage them to think about common elements to the struggle for independence in different parts of the world. Independence from what, or whom? Independence how? Discuss the similarities and differences students find.

As a class, develop a large wall calendar that incorporates the different independence days researched. Throughout the school year, refer to the calendar to refresh students' learning.

PBS Online Resources: Sites to See

• Napoleon: French Revolution
  http://www.pbs.org/empires/napoleon/n_politic/frenchrev/page_1.html
• Queen Victoria's Empire: The Scramble for Africa
  http://www.pbs.org/empires/victoria/history/scramble.html
• Thomas Jefferson
  http://www.pbs.org/jefferson/
• Hawaii's Last Queen
  http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/hawaii/
• A Force More Powerful (nonviolent conflict around the world)
  http://www.pbs.org/weta/forcemorepowerful/
• Crucible of Empire: The Spanish-American War
  http://www.pbs.org/crucible/
• Liberty! The American Revolution
  http://www.pbs.org/ktca/liberty/
• Frontline: Ambush at Mogadishu
  http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/ambush/
• US-Mexican War
  http://www.pbs.org/kera/usmexicanwar/
• Australia: Beyond the Fatal Shore
  http://www.pbs.org/wnet/australia/
• The Border (US-Mexico)
  http://www.pbs.org/kpbs/theborder/
• The Face of Russia
  http://www.pbs.org/weta/faceofrussia/
• Hopes on the Horizon (independence movements in Africa)
  http://www.pbs.org/hopes/
• Wonders of the African World
  http://www.pbs.org/wonders/