1776 Commission
The 1776 Commission is an education commission which was proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump to support his view of "patriotic education", and to prepare for and celebrate the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States in 2026. Trump announced the new commission in a speech on September 17, 2020, in which he stated that a "twisted web of lies" regarding systemic racism was currently being taught in U.S. schools, calling it "a form of child abuse."[1] On November 2, the day before the 2020 United States presidential election, Trump officially established the commission by executive order.[2][3] Trump appointed the commission's members on December 18, 2020.[4][5][6][7]
The commission was conceived partly as a response to The New York Times' 1619 Project,[8] which proponents claim views history from an important new lens.[1][9] Jake Silverstein, editor-in-chief of The New York Times Magazine, wrote in December 2019: "The project was intended to address the marginalization of African-American history in the telling of our national story and examine the legacy of slavery in contemporary American life",[10] in response to a group of five university professors from Texas State University, Princeton University, City University of New York, and Brown University criticizing the project, arguing that it contains historical inaccuracies.[10]
Under the executive order, Trump established a 20-member group serving a two-year term appointed by the president, which is to write a report on “core principles of the American founding and how these principles may be understood to further enjoyment of ‘the blessings of liberty’".[11]
Background
Trump first spoke of giving students a "patriotic education" on September 2, 2020.[12][13] He reiterated his intention to establish the commission in a proclamation on October 6, 2020.[14]
Various federal laws prohibit the federal government from regulating school curricula, which are determined by school districts under rules established by state governments. However, the federal government influences state and local decisions through funding.[15]
Goals
According to the executive order establishing the commission, the commission's goal is to end what it calls the "radicalized view of American history" which has "vilified [the United States'] Founders and [its] founding".[3] In response to the work of figures like Howard Zinn and groups like the 1619 Project, the 1776 Commission seeks to increase "patriotic education" via a centralized approach to nationalist curriculum.[16] This effort is linked to Trump's wider attacks on critical race theory.[17]
The group will also focus on bringing these educational values to national parks, landmarks, and monuments among other federal properties; federal agencies are instructed to provide grants and initiatives in a way that prioritizes those supporting "the American Founding".[11]
See also
References
- ^ a b Wise, Alana (September 17, 2020). "Trump Announces 'Patriotic Education' Commission, A Largely Political Move". NPR. Archived from the original on November 17, 2020. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
- ^ Kurtz, Stanley (November 2, 2020). "Trump Establishes 1776 Commission". National Review. Archived from the original on November 27, 2020.
- ^ a b Trump, Donald J. (November 2, 2020). "Executive Order on Establishing the President's Advisory 1776 Commission". whitehouse.gov. Archived from the original on November 25, 2020.
- ^ "President Donald J. Trump Announces Intent to Appoint Individuals to Key Administration Posts". The White House. December 18, 2020. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
- ^ Brokaw, Sommer (December 19, 2020). "Trump appoints members to 'patriotic education' group". United Press International. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
- ^ Axelrod, Tal (December 19, 2020). "Trump appoints new members to 'patriotic education' commission". The Hill. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
- ^ Gaudiano, Nicole (December 18, 2020). "Trump appoints 1776 Commission members in last-minute bid to advance 'patriotic education'". Politico. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
- ^ Trump remarks at a 2020 White House Conference on American History
- ^ "Trump announces 1776 Commission to honor America's founding". The Washington Post (video). September 17, 2020.
- ^ a b Silverstein, Jake (January 4, 2020). "We Respond to the Historians Who Critiqued The 1619 Project". The New York Times Magazine. Archived from the original on October 24, 2020. Retrieved November 2, 2020.
- ^ a b Gaudiano, Nicole (November 11, 2020). "Trump creates 1776 Commission to promote 'patriotic education'". Politico. Archived from the original on November 24, 2020. Retrieved November 11, 2020.
- ^ "Trump pushes for 'patriotic education' in schools". WCMH-TV. Nexstar Media Group. September 2, 2020. Archived from the original on November 1, 2020.
- ^ Krietz, Andrew (September 1, 2020). "President Trump calls for 'patriotic education' in US schools". KFMB-TV. Archived from the original on September 3, 2020.
- ^ Trump, Donald J. (October 6, 2020). "Proclamation on the Birthday of Founding Father Caesar Rodney". whitehouse.gov. Archived from the original on November 10, 2020. Retrieved October 7, 2020.
- ^ "Is the US Department of Education Violating Federal Law by Directing Standards, Tests, and Curricula?". Pioneer Institute. February 9, 2012. Archived from the original on October 2, 2020.
- ^ Howell, Tom Jr. (November 2, 2020). "Trump pushes 'patriotic education' with 1776 Commission". The Washington Times. Archived from the original on November 20, 2020.
- ^ Van Dyke, Tyler (November 2, 2020). "Trump signs executive order establishing 1776 Commission". Washington Examiner. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020.
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