FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Leading Media and Education Organizations
Partner to Support Constitution Day Programs
Santa Barbara, CA — September 6, 2006 — Three prominent history organizations—ABC-CLIO, National History Day, and The History Channel—joined together today to open up a comprehensive collection of resources for educators on the Constitutional Convention of 1787, designed to enrich the students' understanding of the Constitution in honor of the nationally mandated Constitution Day, September 17, 2006.
Assembled in a high quality website that will be available through October 31st, the collection provides everything students and teachers need for a meaningful Constitution Day program and focuses on the event that shaped our founding documents and the ongoing debates surrounding it.
It includes:- A complete database from ABC-CLIO on the Constitutional Convention of 1787, covering all the personalities, philosophies, debates, and compromises involved in forging a nation. The database offers the complete text of Professor John R. Vile's highly-acclaimed The Constitutional Convention of 1787: A Comprehensive Encyclopedia of America's Founding
- A video clip library from The History Channel that traces the discussion of slavery from the Constitutional Convention through Benjamin Franklin's 1790 petition to abolish it
- Recommended classroom activities from National History Day that help students analyze and understand the full story of the Convention, with an in-depth look at slavery
- Primary source documents including copies of the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the U.S. Constitution and its amendments
- Biographies of all delegates to the Convention, along with other key figures involved in forming the Constitution
- Perspectives from ABC-CLIO scholars on issues of slavery at the Convention, including one from Junius P. Rodriguez, editor of the forthcoming Slavery in the United States encyclopedia and author of numerous books on slavery in America
This comprehensive online resource is part of a cooperative venture between ABC-CLIO, National History Day, and The History Channel aimed at advancing history education.
“We are pleased to join these highly regarded organizations in developing this valuable website,” said Becky Snyder, President of ABC-CLIO. “Helping students better understand the Constitution and to think critically about the impact it has had and continues to have on our lives is essential.”
“We know that many educators are looking for new ways to incorporate the Constitution into their lesson plans on September 17th,” added Dr. Libby H. O'Connell, Chief Historian of The History Channel. “These resources offer exciting options to highlight the rich history of the Constitution and help students understand it as a living document relevant to their own lives.”
Commemorating Constitution Day became law in 2004, when it was mandated that all schools receiving federal dollars offer an instructional program about the Constitution each year on September 17th. This date was selected for celebration since the delegates to the Constitutional Convention met for the last time on September 17, 1787 to sign the United States Constitution and present it to the American public.
To access the Constitutional Convention of 1787 website go to www.constitution.abc-clio.com. The website will be available through October 31, 2006.
About ABC-CLIO Schools
ABC-CLIO Schools provides history teachers and students with authoritative reference information and teacher resources that help students hone the skills of historical inquiry and inquiry-based discussion as they master historical content and develop a deeper understanding of history's major themes and lessons. The ABC-CLIO Schools award-winning subscription websites—American History, World History: The Modern Era, World History: Ancient and Medieval Eras, State Geography, World Geography, American Government, United States at War: Understanding Conflict and Society, and Issues: Understanding Controversy and Society—provide a comprehensive collection of references, curriculum, and current events that together simplify historical research and help students make sense of world events as they unfold. ABC-CLIO Schools is a division of ABC-CLIO, a premier history publisher for over 50 years based in Santa Barbara, California. For more information or a list of available titles, visit www.abc-clio.com.
About National History Day
National History Day, Inc. (NHD) is an education organization that is transforming the way history is taught and learned. National History Day helps teachers meet educational standards; disseminates high quality curriculum materials; and sponsors challenging contests that teach students critical skills for the 21st century. National History Day improves education EVERY day. Through NHD, students develop critical thinking and research skills by creating exhibits, performances, documentaries and papers they may enter in competitions at the district, state and national levels. For additional information on NHD visit www.nhd.org.
About The History Channel
The History Channel® is one of the leading cable television networks featuring compelling original, non-fiction specials and series that bring history to life in a powerful and entertaining manner across multiple platforms. The network provides an inviting place where people experience history in new and exciting ways enabling them to connect their lives today to the great lives and events of the past that provide a blueprint for the future. The History Channel has earned three Peabody Awards, six News and Documentary Emmy® Awards and received the prestigious Governor's Award from the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences for the network's Save Our History® campaign dedicated to historic preservation and history education. The History Channel reaches more than 89 million Nielsen subscribers. The website is located at www.History.com. Press Only: For more information and photography please visit us on the web at www.historychannelpress.com.