Smithsonian's History Explorer Resources Related To "Brown v. Board of Education: A Landmark in American Justice"

Brown v. Board of Education: A Landmark in American Justice Lesson

Thu, 06 Dec 2012 16:53:17 GMT

In this classroom activity, students will examine both the integrationist and segregationist arguments from Brown v. Board of Education through role play and begin to explore the impact of the Supreme Court's decision through a primary source photographic analysis activity. This lesson accompanies the online exhibition entitled Separate is Not Equal: Brown v. Board of Education.

Separate is Not Equal: Brown v. Board of Education Homepage

Thu, 06 Dec 2012 16:50:51 GMT

Separate Is Not Equal: Brown v. Board of Education, an online exhibition, will help students understand an historic struggle to fulfill the American dream that set in motion sweeping changes in American society, and redefined the nation's ideals. The U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Brown v. Board of Education marked a turning point in the history of race relations in the United States. On May 17, 1954, the Court stripped away constitutional sanctions for segregation by race, and made equal opportunity in education the law of the land. Brown v. Board of Education reached the Supreme Court through the fearless efforts of lawyers, community activists, parents, and students.

Japanese Americans and the U.S. Constitution: Justice

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 14:28:21 GMT

Students will learn about the efforts of Japanese Americans to receive justice after their internment during World War II. This section of A More Perfect Union, an online exhibition, uses artifacts from the Museum's collections, primary source documents, photographs and oral histories to discuss the court cases brought against the government, the formal apologies and efforts of redress by the government and the successes of members of the Japanese American community in post-war United States. Oral history transcripts are available in each subsection of this webpage.