Sepia photograph of Abraham Lincoln over the text of the Declaration of Independence.

A New Birth of Freedom: Lincoln, the Founding and the Fourth of July

Classroom Resources for Teaching America 250

In celebration of America’s 250th birthday, Ford’s Theatre Education is excited to share brand-new classroom activities and lessons! These lessons  invite students to learn about the Declaration of Independence and the Gettysburg Address to explore the meaning of freedom, America’s birthday and how leaders like Lincoln and Douglass talked about the Fourth of July. Individually tailored for elementary, middle and high school classrooms, these materials come in a customizable Google Slides format that teachers can share directly with students or integrate into their preferred learning platform.

Sepia photograph of Abraham Lincoln over the text of the Declaration of Independence. A header reads "The Founding, Lincoln and the Forth of July."

Elementary School

In 2026, America is celebrating its 250th birthday! But what has the Fourth of July meant to different Americans throughout history? To answer this, students will examine the Declaration of Independence, Frederick Douglass’s “What to a Slave is the Fourth of July?” speech and the Gettysburg Address.  

Open Resource
Sepia photograph of Abraham Lincoln over the text of the Declaration of Independence. A header reads "A New Birth of Freedom: Lincoln, the Founding and the Forth of July."

Middle School

Over the past 250 years of the nation’s existence, Americans have continued to engage with the principles of freedom and equality. Examine key primary sources from 1776, 1852 and 1863 to compare different American leaders’ perspectives and experiences of the founding ideals. 

Open Resource
Sepia photograph of Abraham Lincoln over the text of the Declaration of Independence. A header reads "A New Birth of Freedom: Lincoln, the Founding and the Forth of July."

High School

Since America’s founding 250 years ago, Americans have continued to strive towards a “more perfect union.” Examine key primary sources to consider how different political and social contexts impacted the country’s understanding of its founding ideals.  

Open Resource