The ideas uniting all Americans include the principles of democratic self-government established in the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights. Examples of these principles include individual liberty and responsibility; checks and balances among branches of government; the rule of law; freedom of speech and religion; and federalism.

Write an essay that describes how a significant event in our nation's history illustrates a principle of American democracy.

In writing your essay you should:

• select one principle of American democracy (from the list above or from America's founding documents)

• choose a significant event or time period in American history that involves that principle

• describe in detail how that event illustrates the principle you chose

• explain why it is important that Americans remember this event and this principle.