"Weapons for Liberty"This poster from World War I shows Columbia, a Lady Liberty-like figure, dressed in an American flag and holding a golden shield with the seal of the United States of America. A Boy Scout in uniform kneels at her feet and offers her a sword inscribed with the Boy Scout motto, "Be Prepared." The text of the poster reads, "U*S*A Bonds. Third Liberty Loan Campaign. Boy Scouts of America. Weapons for Liberty."
The Liberty Loan campaigns were a series of government efforts to raise money for World War I by selling war bonds, aptly titled Liberty Bonds, to citizens. The Third Liberty Loan Campaign launched in April 1918 and used posters featuring patriotic themes to encourage citizens to donate money to the war effort. Political figures including President Woodrow Wilson, Secretary of War Newton D. Baker, and U.S. Food Administrator Herbert Hoover encouraged children, especially Boy Scouts, to volunteer to assist with the war effort by collecting Liberty Loan subscriptions, planting war gardens, conducting a census of black walnut trees for gun and airplane manufacturing, collecting fruit pits and nut shells for gas mask filters, and distributing propaganda from the Committee on Public Information.
This source could be used to teach students about the home front of World War I, the role of the Committee on Public Information, and the contributions of Herbert Hoover.
It is relevant to Tennessee state social studies standards US.25 and US. 26.
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2025-2026 Educator Workshop Series
Join us for this free professional development experience, where we will collaboratively explore strategies for teaching topics such as Prohibition, the Scopes Trial, popular culture, the causes of the Great Depression, and more through activities aligned with the Tennessee social studies curriculum standards.
Here are the dates for the Spring 2026 semester:
To register, click on the location and date above most convenient for you.
For more information on our workshop series, please visit our website.
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Historians in Training: Jr. Archivist Summer Camp 2026
Do you know an aspiring historian? Are there any future librarians or archivists in your classroom? If so, they may be interested in registering for the Tennessee State Library & Archives’ annual Historians in Training: Jr. Archivist Summer Camp!
This full-day summer camp is open to 8-12-year-olds and will run from June 8-12, 2026. During this week-long adventure, campers will learn how history is preserved through hands-on activities, games, and field trips to local historical sites. More information and registration paperwork are on our website’s Summer Camp page. We hope to see your students this summer!
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2025 Civics Essay Contest- "Tennessee, America at Its Best"
The Secretary of State’s office is conducting its annual student Essay Contest! Our goal is to encourage students to be actively engaged citizens by recognizing their important roles as citizens of the great state of Tennessee. The theme of this year’s essay contest is “Tennessee, America at Its Best.”
Winners will receive a TNStars 529 Program College Savings scholarship of $100, $250, or $500 in addition to a trip to the State Capitol.
For more information, please visit the Secretary of State's website here.
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New Items Added to Activity Bank!
Created with funding from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC), the Activity Bank includes short, primary source-based activities developed by educators across the state that cover Tennessee and American history standards in the 4th, 5th, 8th, and high school curriculums.
*For teachers who attended our Tennessee State Constitution workshop series during the 2024-2025 school year, the popular “Thinking Triangle” graphic organizer is included in this activity!
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NEW Digital Breakout!Our brand-new War of 1812 Digital Breakout is now available on our website! This digital breakout complements 5th and 8th-grade social studies curriculum standards and is available with our other Digital Breakouts on our website here and in our Activity Bank.
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Join us at the Tennessee Council for the Social Studies Conference!The Tennessee Council for the Social Studies (TCSS) is having its annual conference on February 26 and 27, 2026, at the Hilton Memphis. The theme this year is “250 Years Strong: Civic Engagement from the Revolution to Today.” There will be 36 breakout sessions, as well as exhibitors and door prizes.
The Library & Archives will have a vendor table, so please stop by to see us!
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Free Teacher Professional Development Opportunity!Join National History Day and the Tennessee Historical Society to learn about an opportunity to bring inquiry-based learning to your classroom for the 2026-2027 academic year. Learn about a grant supported by the Bezos Family Foundation that includes teacher stipends and budgets for classroom supplies. Social Studies teachers, English/Language Arts teachers, Library Media Specialists, Special Educators, and pre-service teachers in grades 6–12 are welcome.
The workshop will be held at the Langston Centre in Johnson City on Thursday, February 12, from 8:00 to 3:00 ET.
To register, click here. You must register by January 29.
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