DATE=10-28-03

TYPE=English Feature

NUMBER=7-37990

TITLE=100 Documents that Shaped America: the Top Ten

BYLINE=Faiza Elmasry

TELEPHONE=619-0940

DATELINE=Washington

EDITOR=Faith Lapidus

CONTENT=

INTRO: Americans love lists… whether it's the top 10 best-sellers or the 15 most-often misspelled words or the American Film Institute's top 50 heroes. Now, as Faiza Elmasry reports, A special committee of historians at the National Archives compiled a list of the 100 most important documents in the American history.

TEXT: The list begins with the Lee Resolution of 1776, in which Richard Henry Lee the Virginia delegate to the Continental Congress - proposed independence for the American Colonies, and culminates with the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which ensured that every citizen would have access to the ballot.

AUDIO: //CUT1 CURLIN//

"We selected a hundred documents that we felt were the significant ones that shaped this country. Among the 100 documents, what are the top ten? Or do you disagree? Did we leave something out? We're going to let people write in."

TXET: With The People's Vote: 100 documents that shaped America, The Archivist of the United States, John Carlin began a national initiative on American history. Among those involved in what could be a lively debate is the weekly magazine, U.S News & World Report.

AUDIO: //CUT2 KELLY//

"If you go to usnews.com, you'll see the 'History Project' right there and anybody anywhere can go and access these documents. You can read them, think about them, then cast your vote."

TEXT: Editor Brian Kelly says Americans of all ages and educational backgrounds are invited to vote for what they consider the 10 most influential documents in American history. Tennessee Senator Lamar Alexander a former educator -- says the History Project is a wonderful opportunity for students and teachers across the country.

AUDIO: //CUT3 ALEXANDER//

"They might think of ten that were left out, or ten that should not be on. That could be a good start for an American history class. I welcome this initiative to put back in the forefront the teaching of American history and civics in our schools for our children to grow up learning what it means to be American."

TEXT: The documents have been available on-line since September, and about 100 teachers a day are downloading them for use in their classrooms.

That's good news for Cathy Gorn, executive director of National History Day, one of the project's sponsors. The nonprofit education program is dedicated to improving the teaching and learning of history in American schools. Ms. Gorn says making these national treasures accessible to students and teachers leads to an interesting and interactive process in classrooms.

AUDIO: // CUT7 GORN//

"I think kids kind of get a bad reputation these days, with these reports about how they do not know this, how they do not know that, and especially they do not know their history. They may not know the names and dates, but I do not blame them. If all what they are asked to learn is memorizing some names and dated and there is no meaning behind them, then it's boring and irrelevant, but if we get them to think and read the documents, go do research themselves, then they are very excited. When kids are motivated and materials are presented to them in an exciting and lively way, they'll get interested."

TEXT: According to Education Department undersecretary Eugene Hicock, it is only through such discussions that students learn what their duties and rights are as American citizens.

AUDIO: //CUT8 HICOCK//

"I consider education to be the essential work of democracy. Self-governing is impossible without educated citizens. And if there is anything essential to education in this country beyond being able to read, it is understanding your history."

TEXT: Historic documents are not just words on old papers. Washington Senator Patty Murray says they guide debates in the U.S Congress every day.

AUDIO: //CUT9 MURRAY//

"I think specially at this time in our nation's history, as we are working our way in some very difficult times both domestically with our economy and internationally with Iraq, it is important to remember the basic founding principles this country was established on. Sometimes when tragedies occur, like September 11th, you sometimes go back and work out of fear, but this country is strong because we have based our principles on expanding opportunities not restricting them. So, if we go back to our founding documents that established those principles for us, we'll be strong in the future."

TEXT: The results of The People's Vote and the 10 documents judged 'most important' will be announced on December 15th, Bill of Rights Day. Until then, discussions continue in classrooms, Presidential libraries, and online about the 100 documents that shaped America.