Freedom's Feast | Online Resources to Get the Most Out of Your American Holiday Celebrations

Presidents' Day: Leadership

Learning lessons of leadership and civic engagement

On Presidents' Day we remember George Washington and Abraham Lincoln as we focus on the Constitution and freedom of speech. Both of these great men understood the importance of the Constitution and the role that all citizens must play in protecting it and taking responsibility for the government we want.

Honor our presidents by choosing a ceremony. Read it out loud or adapt it for your group. At a time when less than 25% of all students know the three branches of government and 70% of American adults cannot pass a basic civic literacy test, we can all benefit from civics conversations in our homes and schools. Holidays give us time to talk: we can create lasting memories with brief ceremonies and shared stories.

When we discuss how the Constitution has impacted our lives, we pass on important lessons. We become a bridge from our country's past to our future and the actions our discussions inspire become part of our nation's story.

Presidents' Day: Ceremonies to Choose

The “Celebrating Our Presidents and Our Freedom" ceremony highlights the historical significance and purpose of the Constitution and Bill of Rights. With quotes from presidents and other leaders, participants recall how the Constitution was created and consider how it affects our lives. "Celebrating the Constitution and Bill of Rights" is a more challenging ceremony intended for older participants. Use our Glossary for key word descriptions found in the ceremonies.

Use your ceremony choice in different ways. Read it through as a formal holiday observance. Select an appropriate segment or hyperlink to spark a discussion for your group. Ask participants to read the ceremony in advance, then discuss it at your celebration or follow up with a book reading from our Explore More “Suggested Book List”. Enjoy adapting a ceremony to your setting and let us know what works for you!

Presidents' Day: Celebrate Your Way

Use our Guides to Raising Politically Active Citizens to celebrate Presidents' Day your way. Try "We the People: A Background Guide” to learn about children who acted to protect their Constitutional rights. With “We the People: Take Action”find resources and inspiration to increase civic engagement. Or, try "We the People: Civic Engagement" to test your civic literacy and learn learn how you can exercise your own political voice and become more involved in your local community.

Freedom's Feast Guides to Raising Politically Active Citizens

Celebrate Presidents' Day by making your own flash cards of the U.S. Presidents, use virtual ones, or purchase a set. Take your printed flash cards and play memory, order them by century, or alphabetize them. Set a 4x11 goal and learn about 4 new presidents at a family meal for the next 11 days. You can also try online virtual flash cards, links listed below, to test your memory and presidential knowledge!

Enjoy exploring our "Table Talk" summary explanations of the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. Use our questions to consider the many ways our Constitution and Bill of Rights impact our lives today and have affected our American stories.The Constitution has often been called a “Bundle of Compromises.” What can we learn today from the compromises made by its creators and authors?

Presidents' Day: Create a Keepsake

Enjoy exercising your first amendment right of free speech. Follow in the great tradition of presidential campaign buttons and make a button to promote your cause. What do you want to convince your fellow citizens to do? How will your button inspire them?

Presidents' Day Make a Cause Button

Presidents' Day: Explore More

The Presidents' Day Book List features recommended children's books suggested by our Freedom's Feast partner, the Enoch Pratt Free Library. Visit the "Presidents" link listed below for a visual and historical review of our nation's presidents, an informative site run by the White House. Enjoy “A Shout Out for Speaking Out,” the story of Ted Well's 4^th grade class. Learn how they convinced a major corporation to change its website. The Presidents' Day Timeline highlights key historical events described in the Freedom's Feast Presidents' Day ceremonies.

Enjoy a meaningful and memorable Presidents' Day!!

Please visit us again for Memorial Day!