The Declaration of Independence...by CELEBRITIES!

We've been talking about the Declaration of Independence (DOI) in both U.S. History and World History.  We've talked about how Thomas Jefferson was influenced by thinkers from the Enlightenment period.  There is a good video of the reading of the DOI by some of today's best known actors and actresses (including Mel Gibson, Morgan Freeman, and Renee Zellweger) and I'm going to post it here.

Take note of how John Locke's idea of the social contract is evident in the DOI and his idea that if a government breaks their end of the contract (i.e. fails to protect the people's rights) the people have the right to rebel.  Much of the DOI (and as a result, the video)  is a list of King George's abuses.  Because of that, Jefferson says, we declare ourselves to be free and independent.

U.S. History Thursday/Friday September 10/11

1. Turn in Foundations of America Review Sheet.  
2. Take Foundations of America Quiz.  If you were absent, the ONLY time to make it up will be at lunch on Wednesday, September 16th in my classroom.  Come right at the beginning of lunch with your materials for test-taking (paper & pen).  If you have an extraordinary situation that does not allow you to take the quiz on Wednesday, see me before Wednesday to arrange an alternative time.
3. Notes:  Civil War & Reconstruction.  Copy from a classmate.
4. Watched a portion of the video On Native Soil to commemorate the 9/11 terrorist attacks.