NOTE: If you are short on time, watch the video and complete this See, Think, Wonder activity: What did you notice? What did the story make you think about? What would you want to learn more about?
SUMMARY
Colleen Shogan made history when she became the first woman to serve as archivist of the United States in 2023, until February, when President Trump fired her with no warning or reason given. Now Shogan has a new challenge, which she unveiled during our exclusive interview. On Constitution Day, she launched a national bipartisan effort, part of an alliance of 34 presidential centers and some 100 groups, called More Perfect, working to strengthen our democracy.
View the transcript of the story.
News alternative: Check out recent segments from the NewsHour, and choose the story you’re most interested in watching. You can make a Google doc copy of discussion questions that work for any of the stories here.
WARM-UP QUESTIONS
- Who is Colleen Shogan?
- What are the goals of In Pursuit?
- When does the U.S. celebrate its 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence?
- How does the National Archives help tell the story of America?
- Why did Shogan say she was fired by President Trump?
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS
- Why do you think it is important to preserve American history?
- How is the work Shogan is doing now with More Perfect's In Pursuit a continuation of her work at the National Archives?
Media literacy: Shogan said she was not given a reason for her firing from the National Archives. How was Shogan's firing different and similar to the many of thousands of federal workers who have lost their jobs under the Trump administration? Why do you think her story was covered and not others?
WHAT STUDENTS CAN DO
Learn more about the National Archives and the initiatives carried out by this government agency. Take a look at Milestone Documents on the National Archives website or scroll through the timeline. According to the National Archives website, "The primary source documents on this page highlight pivotal moments in the course of American history or government. They are some of the most-viewed and sought-out documents in the holdings of the National Archives."
What documents do you recognize? Which document do you see as a milestone in history and why?
Credit: The National Archives in Washington D.C./National Archives Museum
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