Leaders from the U.S. Department of Education visited schools in Newport, Vermont and Beckley, West Virginia as part of the national History Rocks! Trail to Independence tour on March 20. The tour is part of the department’s efforts to celebrate America’s upcoming 250th birthday by promoting civic literacy among students.
The initiative aims to help students connect with America’s founding principles through interactive activities and classroom engagement. In Newport, Assistant Secretary for Legislation and Congressional Affairs Mary Christina Riley toured United Christian Academy, observing classes from kindergarten through twelfth grade that focused on national history, Vermont’s role in it, and civic engagement.
“As one of the oldest states in our nation, students in Vermont have a unique opportunity to learn the history that surrounds them and the value civic participation,” said Mary Christina Riley. “Programs like History Rocks! help bring those values to life for students, showing how the principles discussed in town halls and classrooms alike continue to shape our nation after 250 years.”
In Beckley, Senior Advisor Greg Dolan visited Liberty High School where about four hundred students participated in games designed to deepen their understanding of American history and civics. The event included remarks from school officials before Dolan addressed the group.
“West Virginians are models of the American dedication to work, resilient spirit, and civic pride that have long defined our country,” said Dolan. “As we approach our nation’s 250th birthday, History Rocks! gives students the chance to explore the people and events that shaped our republic, while encouraging them to consider the role they will play in America’s future.”
The History Rocks! initiative is a central part of the department's Semiquincentennial celebrations. In partnership with Freedom 250 and coordinated with the America 250 Civics Education Coalition—which includes organizations such as America First Policy Institute, Turning Point USA, Hillsdale College, and more than fifty other groups—officials plan visits to schools across all fifty states. These efforts aim to highlight high-quality civics instruction and encourage student engagement with American history.
