December 2019 E-Newsletter
Read about NewseumED's plans after the museum closes, virtual classes, a journalism conference for high school seniors and national Bill of Rights Day.
Same Mission and Great Resources for 2020
Field Trips Virtual Classes Learning Tools News EDCollections
No Museum? No Problem for NewseumED
The end of any year is always one of transition — even more so this year for NewseumED. Although the museum will close Dec. 31, NewseumED’s work and mission fostering First Amendment literacy will continue; it just shifts from brick-and-mortar-based to all digital. All of our classes for students will be virtual going forward – an experience some of you already have wholeheartedly embraced. Our quality educational resources (lessons, videos, artifacts and more) will remain accessible on NewseumED.org. Everything remains free!
As we head into the new year and its presidential election, do you and your students have the skills to identify and deflect the surge of propaganda? If you haven’t already, check out our new microsite, Disinformation-Nation.org, which provides tools to help make you propaganda-proof.
2019 was an exceptional year for NewseumED and 2020 is looking equally bright. We look forward to connecting with you through virtual classes and at conferences. Watch our website for updates as we move forward.
Enjoy the holidays!
December 15: A Day to Celebrate Our Freedoms
Have you noticed there’s a special “day” for just about everything? Pick any date on the calendar and odds are it’s been designated National or International (fill-in-the-blank) Day. National Taco Day. National Cat Day. International Joke Day. You get the idea.
As much as we love tacos, cats and a good rib-tickler, we can express these heartfelt desires – and much more serious opinions – because of freedoms protected by the First Amendment.
So on Dec. 15, we’ll be celebrating Bill of Rights Day, a day first observed 78 years ago to commemorate ratification of the first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution in 1791. The First Amendment, our favorite, guarantees the freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly and petition. It protects the core rights that shape our American experience.
Read the full First Five column by NewseumED on celebrating Bill of Rights Day by breaking the cycle of ignorance and misinformation that threatens our fundamental freedoms.
Still Time to Visit the Newseum
The museum closes its doors on Pennsylvania Avenue on Dec. 31. Purchase tickets online now and get a 15 percent discount.
You can also find information on the closing here, as well as frequently asked questions about it, including whether Today’s Front Pages will continue to be accessible online. (The answer is yes.)
Fantastic Opportunity for Student Journalists
Encourage your high school juniors to use their holiday break to apply for a free trip to Washington, D.C., to attend the annual Al Neuharth Free Spirit and Journalism Conference on June 19–24, 2020. One rising high school senior from every state and the District of Columbia will be selected to participate in the all-expenses-paid journalism conference and receive a $1,000 college scholarship. The program was established in 1999 to honor Al Neuharth, the founder of USA TODAY, the Newseum and the Freedom Forum. The conference is designed to inspire and encourage students to pursue journalism. The deadline to apply is Feb. 1.