At 250, the Declaration of Independence still sparks hard questions in class

History teachers across the U.S. are facing challenges as the Declaration of Independence approaches its 250th anniversary in 2026. Karalee Wong Nakatsuka, an eighth-grade teacher in Arcadia, California, uses two T-shirts—one celebrating the 1776 signing and another marking Abraham Lincoln’s assassination—to spark discussions about the document’s contradictions, particularly its promise of equality for all. Her students, many of Asian descent, grapple with how the ideals of the Declaration align with current issues like birthright citizenship and ICE arrests in their Los Angeles suburb. Matthew Vriesman, a teacher in Western Michigan, encourages students to question who the Declaration was originally intended for and who it applies to today. Both teachers emphasize the need to critically examine the document’s legacy, especially as debates over the Founding Fathers’ roles as slaveholders and capitalists intensify. The anniversary presents an opportunity to reflect on whether the nation’s experiment in equality has succeeded. However, teaching civics has become increasingly difficult. A recent survey found only 47% of adults can correctly explain why the 13 Colonies declared independence, while Gen Z shows alarming disengagement with democracy, with nearly one-third displaying dismissive detachment toward the system. Nearly six in ten civics teachers report feeling pressure to avoid backlash, and 20% have already faced repercussions for their lessons. Over one-third have altered or removed content due to political tensions. Emma Humphries of iCivics called the situation ‘awful,’ noting that civics teachers are under unprecedented stress as the nation celebrates a historic milestone. The climate of scrutiny contrasts sharply with the need for meaningful discussions about the Declaration’s enduring relevance. Teachers like Nakatsuka and Vriesman argue that high school history class remains one of the last opportunities for students to deeply engage with the nation’s founding values before adulthood.