U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon visited Sophie B. Wright Charter School in New Orleans as part of the Department of Education’s History Rocks! Trail to Independence tour, which is being held ahead of America’s 250th birthday. The event was designed to promote civic literacy and help students connect with the founding principles of the United States.
Students from Sophie B. Wright Charter School and other New Orleans public schools participated in activities focused on Louisiana and U.S. history, emphasizing the importance of civics in shaping the nation’s future. The event included remarks from Secretary McMahon, Governor Jeff Landry, Louisiana Superintendent Cade Brumley, and Charter Director Dr. Sharon Clark.
“Louisiana has played a defining role in our nation’s story, beginning with the Louisiana Purchase and continuing through the civic traditions that shape the state today,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon. “When I visit a new state on the History Rocks! Tour, I remind students that every time they master a new subject, learn a new historical fact, or help a classmate solve a tough problem, they share in the same spirit that pushed our predecessors to build a stronger nation. I appreciate the warm welcome in Louisiana as we celebrate 250 years of the greatest country on earth.”
The History Rocks! initiative is part of broader efforts by the Department of Education to mark America’s Semiquincentennial (250th anniversary), conducted in partnership with Freedom 250 and coordinated with the America 250 Civics Education Coalition. As part of these efforts, officials will visit schools across all 50 states to highlight examples of effective history and civics instruction.
Freedom 250 leads national programming for America's upcoming anniversary with an aim to unite Americans around honoring history and promoting opportunity for future generations through its mission: celebrating American spirit by recognizing shared freedoms and building opportunities for years ahead through events such as those described at https://freedom250.org/.
The America 250 Civics Education Coalition includes organizations like America First Policy Institute, Turning Point USA, Hillsdale College, along with over fifty other groups nationwide dedicated to expanding civic education so students can better understand key ideas and figures that have shaped American history.
