Separation of Powers

The U.S. federal government consists of three branches: Legislative, Executive, and Judicial. Each one has a distinct role, ensuring a balance of power that protects the...

Audre Lorde

Audre Lorde, a trailblazing Black feminist, poet, and essayist, passionately explored intersectionality, identity, and activism, leaving an enduring impact on literature and social...

Richard Wright

At a time when Jim Crow laws made racial segregation legal across much of the United States, author Richard Wright gave voice to a struggle – as the first African American author to achieve widespread critical and commercial...

The Emancipation Proclamation

Issued by U.S. President Abraham Lincoln almost three years into the Civil War, the Emancipation Proclamation played a crucial role in ending slavery across the United States and defining the principles that still govern the country...

Mark Twain

Known as the Father of American Literature, Mark Twain used satire and a sharp wit to explore and reveal the realities of US society in the 19th century. In doing so he developed an all-new “American style” of...

Hubris: Aaron Burr

Aaron Burr’s ambition led him from political prominence to infamy. Fueled by hubris, he dueled Hamilton and plotted treason, showcasing the perils of unchecked...

Madeleine L’Engle

For Madeleine L’Engle, the starry night sky sparked profound questions about life, the universe, and her place in it. Inspired by science and spirituality, her extraordinary works of fiction have captured the hearts and minds of...

Federal and State Powers

The U.S. Constitution divides power between the federal government and states, granting specific national powers and reserving others to states via the 10th Amendment, with federal laws generally overriding state...

Gary Soto

Gary Soto, a Mexican-American author and poet, captures the essence of youth and Chicano experiences in his stories, blending humor and the magic of everyday...

The U.S. Supreme Court

Sitting at the pinnacle of the judicial branch of government, the U.S. Supreme Court is the highest court in the land. Its landmark rulings have had an enduring impact on American life and...

Life in the Colonies: Work

The Thirteen Colonies were built by a diverse workforce including skilled laborers, indentured servants, enslaved people, and criminals, in stark contrast to modern labor...