Historically, Ford’s Theatre Oratory Programs have featured speeches by Abraham Lincoln. In 2020, the program added speeches by others. These additional speeches reflect shared ideas and values that shape the United States: freedom for all, the importance of standing against injustice, integrity and the right of self-determination. Together, the speeches represent the strength and diversity of one nation of people, working towards the same goals.

Educators and care givers! Trying to figure out ways to use historical content in your teaching? We’re pleased to offer new Teacher Guides covering the robust content on the Lincoln’s Assassination section of www.fords.org.

Public speaking can cause everything from slight nervousness to paralyzing fear and panic. Seventy-five percent of Americans share this fear. This blog offers simple strategies including speaking about your passion, knowing the content and context of your speech, having a plan for addressing mistakes and the importance of feedback.

Looking for something history-based to do while at home during the COVID-19 outbreak? Find out how you can enhance the Remembering Lincoln website collection or even add more primary sources.

The Emancipation Memorial in Lincoln Park can be an uncomfortable depiction of Abraham Lincoln for many us. But by examining it as a historical artifact we can reveal layers of meaning and give nuance to a significant memorial to Abraham Lincoln, the Great Emancipator.

As the Ford’s Theatre Teacher-in-Residence for four weeks this summer, Karen Richey researched contemporary speeches from a wide range of human experiences and cultures. Discover new resources that students can use to make connections between the past and present and see take part in civic dialogue.

Throughout history many Americans have used oratory as a way to drive civic change. Read on to discover 10 change-makers whom you might not know about yet.

Learn more about how Ford’s brought a local program to a national audience with the Lincoln Online Oratory Project.

As the site of a racially-motivated political assassination, Ford’s Theatre recognized that we can help educators use Twelve Angry Men to teach about implicit bias, systemic racism and their impact on our society.

Recently, we completed an evaluation report on our summer teacher institutes: Civil War Washington and The Seat of War and Peace. Read on to discover our key findings!