Freedom 250 Resources
Celebrating 250 Years of America
As America marks its 250th anniversary, the U.S. Census Bureau invites educators to bring history to life through data-driven resources that explore our nation’s people, places, and progress. In commemoration of this milestone, these materials highlight the importance of the decennial census and the role demographic and economic data play in understanding the United States over time. Educators in the classroom or at home can engage students in exploring America’s story through activities, lessons, and interactive resources connected to the nationwide celebration of America’s 250th anniversary.
Special Edition: Celebrating 250 Years of America Fun Facts
As part of the Freedom 250 celebration, the Census Bureau highlights its role in recording the nation’s story, including data on the populations of famous U.S. landmark locations, places to celebrate America’s 250th birthday, and more.
Welcome to The District: Test Your Knowledge on Our Nation’s Capital
Are there more candy and nut stores than dentist offices in our nation’s capital? Do girls outnumber boys? Test your knowledge on the District of Columbia and learn about topics like the median household income, D.C. residents with a bachelor’s degree, percentage of D.C. households with a computer or smartphone, and more.
Then and Now: A Look Back at the 1950 Census
Have you ever wondered what the U.S. population was in 1950? What about how many women were in the workplace or the average family income? Learn more about U.S. life in the 1950s with our “Then and Now” game comparing life then with life today.
Exploring the 1950 Census Fun Facts
Step back in time with this special edition Fun Facts for the 1950 Census. This handout offers a range of statistics about American life in the 1950s. Students can use it to compare kid-friendly statistics from the 1950 Census with corresponding information from the 2020 Census.
Classroom Activities
These activities for grades 4-12 were curated specifically to teach students about how Census Bureau data has reported changes in America over time. They will examine infographics and graphs on earnings, population, education, and voting, explore data about their state, and analyze socioeconomic and demographic changes through the decades. Each has a teaching guide to help instruct the activity.
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America Then and Now - Interpreting Changes in Demographic DataStudents will review a series of infographics to learn how America’s demographics have changed between 1940 and 2010.
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Narratives and NamesStudents will examine Census Bureau data on popular last names and complete a Quickwrite about their name and its history.
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Numbers That Tell a StoryStudents will use State Facts for Students to explore data about their state and voice their opinions on how the population has changed over time.
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Authorizing the First Census - The Significance of Population DataStudents will analyze excerpts from the 1790 legislation that allowed for the administration of the first decennial census.
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Voting Trends in America, 1964-2020Students will analyze bar and line graphs showing the percentages of people who voted in elections between 1964 and 2020.
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Women in the Workforce 1940-TodayStudents will examine graphs on education, earnings, and workforce participation for men and women between 1940 and today.
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How is Young Adulthood Changing?Students will engage in a class discussion on young adulthood, answer questions about a technical document, then write about their generation.
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Examining Changes to the Environment Through Pictures and DataStudents will examine how human actions and population changes can affect the environment.
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How Times Have Changed: An Analysis of Young AdultsStudents will look at data showing how the experiences of young adults today differ from other generations.
Additional Resources
What is Constitution Day?
On February 29, 1952, Congress designated September 17 as Constitution Day and Citizenship Day. This day commemorates the signing of the U.S. Constitution on September 17, 1787, and recognizes all American citizens.
Each Constitution Day gives us a chance to learn about and understand the importance of what our Founding Fathers envisioned for our country, one of those things being an accurate count of our nation’s people. Thus, they included a mandatory count of the population every 10 years (decennial census) in the Constitution. Article I, Section 2 states: “Representatives and direct Taxes shall be apportioned among the several States which may be included within this Union, according to their respective Numbers….”
Constitution Day Fun Facts
As the nation celebrates Constitution Day, it’s a good time to reflect on how our Founding Fathers enshrined in our Constitution the importance of statistics as a vital tool for measuring people, places, and economy. Interact with students using this handout that shares real census data related to Constitution Day. Then, view the teaching guide for ideas on how this fun facts handout can be used as a classroom activity.
Exploring American History and the Constitution with Census Bureau Data
Did you know the U.S. population was 2.5 million in 1776? It has grown more than 130 times larger today at over 330 million! Play this Kahoot! to discover historic data gems about America’s population, how the once-a-decade Census count relates to the U.S. Constitution, and more student-friendly statistics that illustrate the importance of census data in our ever-changing world.
Educator's Guide
This Educator's Guide highlights ways to use SIS materials in the classroom to gear up for Constitution Day. Everything you need to get started is in one place, including resources for various grade levels and teacher tips on how to use and teach students with census data.
What is Apportionment?
Apportionment is the process of dividing the 435 memberships, or seats, in the U.S. House of Representatives among the 50 states based on the apportionment population counts from the decennial census. Article I, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution requires that a census of the population be taken every 10 years to apportion seats in Congress.
Teach about apportionment using these activities and resources:
Apportionment 101 Fact Sheet
This fact sheet introduces students to apportionment by discussing what it is, and the impact it has on their state's place in the House of Representatives and the redrawing of legislative boundaries.
Classroom Activities
These grade appropriate activities were designed specifically to teach students about Constitution Day and congressional apportionment. They will learn what apportionment is, how it works, why it's important and how it relates to the decennial census. Each has a teaching guide to help instruct the activity.
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Constitution DayStudents will learn the significance of the U.S. Constitution and Constitution Day, with a focus on how the census is called for in the Constitution and why.
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ApportionmentElementary students examine the results from the 2000 and 2010 Censuses and use that information to predict the results of the 2020 Census in their state.
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ApportionmentMiddle school students will learn about what congressional apportionment is, how it works, why it’s important, and how it relates to the decennial census.
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ReapportionmentHigh school students will predict population changes from the 2010 Census to 2020. Then they will reallocate seats in the U.S. House of Representatives.
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Trends in Congressional ApportionmentHigh school students will examine a 2020 Census brief to understand the apportionment process.
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Interpreting Dot and Box PlotsStudents will create frequency tables, dot plots, and box plots using census data.
Warm-Up Activities
These warm-up activities can be used at various grade levels and are designed to give students a basic understanding of apportionment. They are great class-starters and only take a short amount of time to complete.
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Apportionment MapWhich states have the most—and the fewest—House seats? Have students analyze a map and answer questions about U.S. House representation.
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How Many U.S. Representatives Does Your State Have?Do nearby states have more or fewer U.S. representatives than your state? Students can have fun coloring a map while comparing state apportionment numbers.
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Population and RepresentationStudents can use an interactive map with historical apportionment data to discover population changes and population density for their state over decades.
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The Amazing Apportionment MachineHow does apportionment work? Students can watch a video to help them answer questions about the process.
Videos
View these animated videos to learn how apportion works and to see the formular used to ensure equal representation for all.
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What is Apportionment?Learn how apportionment works — the process of distributing the 435 memberships, or seats, in the U.S. House of Representatives among the 50 states.
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2010 Census: The U.S. Census and the Amazing Apportionment MachineApportionment is the process of dividing the seats in the House of Representatives among the 50 states based on the population figures.
Historical Visualizations
These visualizations show the number of congressional representatives apportioned to each state as a result of U.S. population counts from the 2010 and 2000 Censuses.
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VisualizationChanging Ranks of States by Congressional RepresentationAugust 30, 2012
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2010 Census: Apportionment of the U.S. House of Representatives MapDecember 31, 2010These maps show the change in the number of seats in the U.S. House of Representatives apportioned to each state between 2000 and 2010.
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Visualization2000 Apportionment Results MapDecember 31, 2000These maps show the change in the number of seats in the U.S. House of Representatives apportioned to each state between 1990 and 2000.
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VisualizationChange in Congressional Apportionment: 1930 - 2000April 01, 2002These maps show the change in the number of seats in the U.S. House of Representatives apportioned to each state between 1930 and 2000.