Preparing American Students

to Advance Democracy

The Own Your History (OYH) curriculum explores historical materials that focus on divisive periods of U.S. history. OYH was created in the belief that all Americans should be knowledgeable about our nation's complex past. Being well-informed fosters democracy and encourages constructive engagement across political differences.

OYH provides evidence-based educational materials, lessons and resources to help students understand the most basic facts of our history by placing events in their historical context. 

Periods of divisiveness and organized backlash often follow the expansion of legal rights and the growth of democratic participation. This is one of the most enduring patterns in American history. 

After the Civil War, following the Civil Rights Movement and during recent periods of societal change, Americans have wrestled with fundamental questions: Who belongs in this country? What individual rights and freedoms deserve to be enshrined into law? What values are truly "American values"?

Engaging with the OYH curriculum reveals that Americans in earlier periods overcame economic hardship, discrimination, profound injustice, and the loss of Constitutional rights and moved the country closer to its founding ideals. These historical lessons, and the courage of earlier generations, are deeply relevant today as we address significant challenges confronting our democracy. Owning our history can get us to a better future.

Important Note: Due to recent releases documenting abusive actions by Cesar Chavez toward women and girls, Own Your History® (OYH) is reconsidering all references to Chavez in the OYH program and documents, and will be making appropriate revisions.

Learn more about OUR MISSION.

History is our path to A
BETTER future