Global Breaking News - Tuesday, December 31, 2024

How history should be taught in American schools is a subject forcefully argued by many different American groups. One example of the ongoing dispute was an effort by the administration of former President Donald Trump. It sought to influence the way American history, including slavery and race, are discussed in public schools and universities. In November of 2020, Trump ordered the Department of Education to establish a group called the 1776 Commission. Its stated job was to “better enable rising generations to understand the history and principles of the founding of the United States in 1776.” However, critics said the group told a one-sided story about the men who helped establish the United States — known as the Founding Fathers. They argued the commission told schools to reduce the importance of slavery when telling the story of the early days of the country. The commission released its report on January 18. The Trump administration hoped it would provide guidance about history teaching in the country. But, critics said it insulted many ideas of education. David Blight is a Civil War historian at Yale University. He called the document produced by Trump’s commission “a piece of right-wing propaganda.”