National Archives to Host Opening Forum as Part of First-Ever National Civic Learning Week
Press Release · Wednesday, February 22, 2023

Washington, DC

On Tuesday, March 7, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., ET, the National Archives will host the opening forum of the first-ever national Civic Learning Week to highlight the role civic learning plays in sustaining and strengthening constitutional democracy in the United States. The National Archives and the National Archives Foundation have joined iCivics in cosponsoring National Civic Learning Week.

The March 7 forum at the National Archives in Washington, DC, will feature opening remarks from Acting Archivist of the United States Debra Steidel Wall. Students, parents, and educators will be joined by leaders in political science, technology, and research to discuss the importance of civic education from multiple perspectives. View the full program schedule online.  Register to attend in person; register to watch livestream.

“As the home of our nation's Founding Documents, we are pleased to host the Civic Learning Week Opening Forum at the National Archives,” said Acting Archivist Debra Steidel Wall. “We look forward to joining the conversation about the importance of civic education and sharing our national civic education initiative, Civics for All of US.”

A leader in civic learning, the National Archives will host two online student programs on March 8 at 1:15 p.m., ET (Voting Rights, the Constitution, and Representative Government) and March 10 at 11:15 a.m., ET (The First Amendment: Five Rights in One!) from its new educational initiative Civics for All of US, which promotes civic literacy and engagement. These interactive distance-learning programs draw upon National Archives documents to promote the knowledge and skills students need for civic participation. Each program is led by one of our educators located at National Archives sites or Presidential Libraries across the country.  Civics for All of US free student programs and teacher workshops are available year round. Learn more: civics.archives.gov.

National Civic Learning Week will feature dozens of in-person and virtual events held across the country. Events will include a conversation with Sonya Sotomayor, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, and much more. Visit civiclearningweek.org/events for a complete list of events.

Civic Learning Week is cosponsored by the National Archives, the National Archives Foundation, Farvue Foundation, iCivics, Microsoft, the National Council for the Social Studies, and the SN Charitable Foundation. Its goal is to mobilize policymakers, educators and community members in a growing movement to make high-quality civic education accessible to each and every K–12 student.

About the National Archives
The National Archives and Records Administration is an independent federal agency that serves American democracy by safeguarding and preserving the records of our Government, so people can discover, use, and learn from this documentary heritage. The National Archives ensures continuing access to the essential documentation of the rights of American citizens and the actions of their government. From the Declaration of Independence to accounts of ordinary Americans, the holdings of the National Archives directly touch the lives of millions of people. The agency supports democracy, promotes civic education, and facilitates historical understanding of our national experience. The National Archives carries out its mission through a nationwide network of archives, records centers, and Presidential Libraries and online at www.archives.gov. 

About the National Archives Foundation
The National Archives Foundation is an independent nonprofit foundation that increases public awareness of the National Archives, inspires a deeper appreciation of our country’s heritage, and encourages citizen engagement in our democracy. The Foundation generates financial and creative support for National Archives exhibitions, public programs and educational initiatives, introducing America’s records to people around the U.S. and the world. Learn more at www.archivesfoundation.org.