Supreme Court justices urge civic education on US 250th anniversary

Key Points:

• Three conservative Supreme Court justices—Brett Kavanaugh, Neil Gorsuch, and Amy Coney Barrett—emphasize the importance of civic education and understanding American history to preserve the nation’s founding freedoms as the U.S. celebrates 250 years of independence.
• Justice Gorsuch highlights the religious foundations of American rights, stressing that these rights come from God and not government, and underscores the need to appreciate the historical struggles that shaped the Constitution and Declaration of Independence.
• Justice Kavanaugh calls for robust education on American history and civic values to ensure the republic is preserved and improved over the next 250 years, emphasizing lifelong learning and active participation in government.
• Justice Barrett encourages Americans to view themselves as active participants in the "American project," inspired by the mutual pledge made in the Declaration of Independence to uphold the nation’s principles with commitment and honor.
• In contrast, Justice Sonia Sotomayor acknowledges current challenges facing American democracy, warning that some norms may be lost but expressing hope that the nation will ultimately persevere through hard work and civic engagement.