CIVIC SEASON IS UPON US!
What is Civic Season? 
Generally, concepts such as patriotism and freedom are highlighted starting the week of Flag Day (June 14th) and ending on Independence Day (July 4). If you Google “Civic Season Virginia” you will get lots and lots of information, so I will endeavor to explain succinctly what “Civic Season” is and what you should know about it.
According to theCivicSeason.com, the website and the movement were originally developed in 2021 by Made By Us, a partnership collectively led by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, National Archives Foundation, First Americans Museum, Atlanta History Center, HistoryMiami Museum, Senator John Heinz History Center, New-York Historical Society, Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, and Missouri Historical Society. Focusing on Juneteenth and Independence Day, two holidays that contrast the differences between our history and our values, Civic Season endeavors to encourage the young people of Generation Z (ages 10 to 25) and Millenials to learn about United States history, civic education, and the democratic process. However, Civic Season is not limited to these two groups.
June 12th Kickoff
Nationally, this year’s Civic Season kicks off on June 12 with activities and celebrations in dozens of places, including a Livestream broadcast from the party at the Atlanta History Center Midtown in Atlanta, Georgia; brunch at the New-York Historical Society; a “We the People” tour at HistoryMiami Museum; the “Culture of Democracy Summit” featuring Michelle Obama in Los Angeles; and “Feast of Reason” civic dialogues at the Thomas Jefferson Foundation at Monticello.
The Civic Season Challenge
The Library of Virginia in partnership with Made by Us is sponsoring The Civic Season Challenge from Juneteenth (June 19th) through July 4th. The challenge involves users picking any of a series of 20 events, both virtual and in-person, that might be of interest to them. You can see the events on the project website at https://www.lva.virginia.gov/public/civicseason/. 
According to Made by Us, the new tradition of Civic Season “will build and grow in years to come, reaching 100 million young adults by the nation’s 250th anniversary in 2026, empowering them with resonant opportunities to contribute to the American story.”
Here at Richmond Public Law Library, we invite you to not only join in the Civic Season Challenge but immerse yourself and your family members in civics activities. Try being George Washington at the interactive game bewashington.org or view civics resources and discussion questions at Civics Conversations: https://edu.lva.virginia.gov/civic-conversation-series/ Topics include:
- A Conversation about Freedom Riders and Nonviolent Activism
- A Conversation about Feminism
- A Conversation about Xenophobia
- A Conversation about Incarceration
- A Conversation about Belonging in America
- A Conversation about Equity in Education
- A Conversation about LGBTQ+ Identities in America features The Day It Snowed In Miami, the Miami Herald Emmy-winning documentary that traces the political activism behind an equal-rights statute in Miami, and how it galvanized gay rights movement in Florida and beyond. https://youtu.be/seYFHXnCSo0
For virtual activities, you can join me in following the Library of Virginia Civic Season Challenge videos at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLP0woRcmZN6DOmxNkAFyQK4YO3SOlhWQ Celebrate what you stand for! Join the Civic Season Challenge and shape what our country becomes!
However you celebrate Civic Season, we want to know what you did, what you learned, and how it affected your view of democracy. Contact your RPL Community Services Manager at your local library or let me know what you think about the Civic Season Challenge at Meldon.Jenkins-Jones@rva.gov
More about Civics and Civic Season
Civic Season Mobilizes Gen Z to Take Part in Our Democracy, Meeting Curiosity with Credibility with Hundreds of Activities From Juneteenth to July 4: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/civic-season-mobilizes-gen-z-to-take-part-in-our-democracy-meeting-curiosity-with-credibility-with-hundreds-of-activities-from-juneteenth-to-july-4-301548683.html
Atlanta NEWS BRIEF: Civic event aims to ‘explore what you stand for’ | Creative Loafing
The New York Historical Society is offering exclusive events this month https://www.timeout.com/newyork/news/you-can-go-behind-the-scenes-at-one-of-nycs-iconic-museums-this-month-060722.
Virginia Civics https://vacivics.org/
Virginia Civic Engagement Table https://www.protectthevoteva.com/
League of Women Voters https://www.lwvwilliamsburg.org/civics101/
https://aaslh.org/civic-season-2021/
#CivicSeason — Please use “Camel Case” for accessibility!
@HistoryMadeByUs
@LibraryofVA
