Civics
for All of US

An Ordinary American Takes an Extraordinary Stand: Teaching Korematsu v. United States

Fred Korematsu shakes hands with President Clinton at the Presidential Medal of Freedom ceremony at the White House.
President Clinton presents Fred Korematsu with the Presidential Medal of Freedom at the White House, 01/15/1998.
A virtual professional development workshop for educators with the National Archives.

The phrase "ordinary American" appears in President Clinton's remarks at the 1998 Medal of Freedom presentation - "In 1942 an ordinary American took an extraordinary stand. Fred Korematsu boldly opposed the forced internment of Japanese-Americans during World War II."

During this workshop with the Clinton Presidential Library, teachers will explore primary sources for teaching Korematsu v. United States and Japanese American incarceration. Teachers will also discover strategies for making connections to the Constitution and Bill of Rights with resources from the National Archives.

Registration is free, and each program will be held via Zoom. You will receive the connection information via email the week of the event. Certificates of participation will be available by request.

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