Requirement 1: Read the Declaration of Independence. Pay close attention to the section that begins with “We hold these truths to be self-evident” and ends with “to provide new Guards for their future security.” Rewrite that section in your own words, making it as easy to understand as possible. Then, share your writing with your merit badge counselor and discuss the importance of the Declaration to all Americans.
Rewrite that section in your own words, making it as easy to understand as possible
Discuss the importance of the Declaration to all Americans
Requirement 2 b: With your counselor’s approval, choose an organization that has promoted some type of positive change in American society. Find out why the organization believed this change was necessary and how it helped to accomplish the change. Discuss how this organization is related to events or situations from America’s past.
The positive change in American society
Why the organization believed this change was necessary
How it helped to accomplish the change
How this organization is related to events or situations from America's past
Requirement 2 c: With your counselor’s approval, interview two veterans of the U.S. military. Find out what their experiences were like. Ask the veterans what they believe they accomplished.
First veteran
Rank and branch of service
This person's experiences
What this person believes they accomplished
Second veteran
Rank and branch of service
This person's experiences
What this person believes they accomplished
Requirement 2 d: With your counselor’s approval, interview three people in your community of different ages and occupations. Ask these people what America means to them, what they think is special about this country, and what American traditions they feel are important to preserve.
What America means to this person
What this person thinks is special about this country
What American traditions this person feels are important to preserve
What America means to this person
What this person thinks is special about this country
What American traditions this person feels are important to preserve
What America means to this person
What this person thinks is special about this country
What American traditions this person feels are important to preserve
Requirement 3 b: For each of the following, describe its adoption, tell about any changes since its adoption, and explain how each one continues to influence Americans today: the flag, the Pledge of Allegiance, the Great Seal of the United States, the motto, and the national anthem.
The flag
Changes since its adoption
How it continues to influence Americans today
The Pledge of Allegiance
Changes since its adoption
How it continues to influence Americans today
The Great Seal of the United States
Changes since its adoption
How it continues to influence Americans today
The motto
Changes since its adoption
How it continues to influence Americans today
The national anthem
Changes since its adoption
How it continues to influence Americans today
Requirement 3 c: Research your family’s history. Find out how various events and situations in American history affected your family. If your family immigrated to America, tell the reasons why. Share what you find with your counselor.
How various events and situations in American history affected your family
If your family immigrated to America, tell the reason why
Requirement 4 a: Explain the National Register of Historic Places and how a property becomes eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. Make a map of your local area, marking the points of historical interest. Tell about any National Register properties in your area. Share the map with your counselor, and describe the historical points you have indicated.
Explain the National Register of Historic Places
How a property becomes eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places
Points of historic interest in your local area
National Register properties in your area
Requirement 4 c: Find out when, why, and how your town or neighborhood started, and what ethnic, national, or racial groups played a part. Find out how the area has changed over the past 50 years and try to explain why.
When your town or neighborhood started
Why your town or neighborhood started
How your town or neighborhood started
What ethnic, national, or racial groups played a part
How the area has changed over the past 50 years
Try to explain why the area has changed
Requirement 4 e: Visit a historic trail or walk in your area. After your visit, share with your counselor what you have learned. Discuss the importance of this location and explain why you think it might qualify for National Register listing.
Importance of this location
Why you think it might qualify for National Register listing
Requirement 5 a: Watch two motion pictures (with the approval and permission of your counselor and parent) that are set in some period of American history. Describe to your counselor how accurate each film is with regard to the historical events depicted and also with regard to the way the characters are portrayed.
First motion picture
How accurate it is with regard to the historical events depicted
How accurate it is with regard to the way characters are portrayed
Second motion picture
How accurate it is with regard to the historical events depicted
How accurate it is with regard to the way characters are portrayed
Requirement 5 b: Read a biography (with your counselor’s approval) of someone who has made a contribution to America’s heritage. Tell some things you admire about this individual and some things you do not admire. Explain why you think this person has made a positive or a negative contribution to America’s heritage.
Some things you admire about this individual
Some things you do not admire abou this individual
Why you think this person has made a positive or negative contribution to America's heritage
Requirement 5 c: Listen to recordings of popular songs from various periods of American history. Share five of these songs with your counselor, and describe how each song reflects the way people felt about the period in which it was popular. If a recording is not available, have a copy of the lyrics available.
First song name, when it was popular, and how it refects the way people felt about the period in which it was popular
Second song name, when it was popular, and how it refects the way people felt about the period in which it was popular
Third song name, when it was popular, and how it refects the way people felt about the period in which it was popular
Fourth song name, when it was popular, and how it refects the way people felt about the period in which it was popular
Fifth song name, when it was popular, and how it refects the way people felt about the period in which it was popular
Requirement 6: Discuss with your counselor the career opportunities in American heritage. Pick one that interests you and explain how to prepare for this career. Discuss what education and training are required for this career.
Career opportunities in American heritage
How to prepare for one career
Education and training that are required for this career