Educational Resources and Opportunities - Georgia History Festival

**What is the Georgia History Festival?**

The Georgia History Festival is the signature K-12 educational program of the Georgia Historical Society, reaching hundreds of thousands of students statewide. Beginning with the new school year in September, a variety of public programs, exhibits, events, and educational resources bring history to life for students of all ages and encourage Georgians to explore the richness and diversity of our state’s past. In addition to new online and in-person programming, the Festival includes popular annual events like the Colonial Faire and Muster living-history program held at Wormsloe State Historic Site, Super Museum Sunday, and the elegant Trustees Gala.

Each year, GHS selects a significant topic in Georgia’s history as the focus of the Festival’s educational programs and resources. The 2024-2025 focus of study is “The Reality of Our Liberty”: The First Amendment and Freedom of the Press.

This focus of study, aligned to the Georgia Standards of Excellence, will support students’ understanding of the role that a press free from governmental control has historically played in informing the American people; as a marketplace for competing ideas; and in holding government and our leaders accountable to those who have elected them.

Explore new educational resources and opportunities developed for the 2024-2025 Georgia History Festival below!

Classroom Resources

The Georgia Historical Society has created a collection of classroom resources designed to enhance student understanding of the history and role of newspapers and media in Georgia and America from the founding to today.

The resources include:

“The Reality of Our Liberty”: The First Amendment and Freedom of the Press Classroom Resource Bundle

Sponsored by

The Reality of Our Liberty Activity Booklet

The Reality of Our Liberty Primary Source Set

The Reality of Our Liberty Educators’ Guide

Historical Inquiries

Sponsored by

“A Free Press in a Democracy” Historical Inquiry

“How Have Georgia’s Journalists Influenced Change Throughout the State?” Historical Inquiry

“Free for You and Me” Elementary Activity

Resources for Students

Video Resources for Educators

“The Reality of Our Liberty”: The First Amendment and Freedom of the Press Educator Video Series

What is the Georgia History Festival and How Can You Participate?
September 1, 2024

Sponsored by

Georgia Pacific

Educators will be introduced to the 2024-2025 Georgia History Festival theme and activities. The video will highlight specific online and in-person resources and events that utilize GHS’s unique collection of archival materials to support classroom engagement around Georgia and American history.

Extra! Extra! Headlines and Historical Markers

This video highlights ways to engage students in place-based and inquiry-based activities. Using newspaper-related historical markers around Georgia, educators will learn strategies to connect students to history in their own communities. Watch the video.

Georgia Day Expo Informational Webinar

An informational webinar for educators, parents, chaperones, etc. to learn about the logistics of the Second Annual Georgia Day Expo, centered on the topic “Extra! Extra! Headlines in Georgia History.”

The First Amendment and Georgia’s Journalists

Focusing on stories specifically connected to protections under the First Amendment, this video highlights Georgia journalists whose work was central to the protection of citizens’ rights and the accountability of public officials.

The First Amendment and Georgia's Journalists Activity and Discussion Guide: Use this discussion guide to further explore the video resource, The First Amendment and Georgia’s Journalists.

Business History Initiative Classroom Resources Presentation
Coming March 3, 2025

This video presentation will highlight one of the newer resources focused on Grady Memorial Hospital, developed for the Georgia Business History Initiative. This program features the significance of the partnerships and collaborations between businesses, government, non-profit organizations, and private citizens that have been integral to the development of our communities over the past century. Through this presentation, we will investigate the impact of the press on making the public aware of, and creating support for community needs, specifically the need to revive Grady Memorial Hospital.

Georgia Day Statewide Student Art Contests

Sponsored by

In keeping with the Georgia History Festival theme, this year’s Georgia Day Statewide Art Contest and Georgia Day Classroom Competition challenge students to explore the topic “Extra! Extra! Headlines in Georgia History.” Using a variety of artistic media, students will illustrate the impact and influence of newspapers and journalists throughout Georgia’s history.

The Georgia Day Statewide Art Contest and Georgia Day Classroom Competition are now open!

Georgia Day Statewide Student Art Contest

Georgia Day Classroom Contest

Georgia Day Expo in Savannah

February 12, 2025

Sponsored by

Extra! Extra! Headlines in Georgia History. Students explore Georgia history through demonstrations and hands-on activity stations during this commemoration of the founding of Georgia at Savannah on February 12, 1733. Educators, parents, historical interpreters, and community and civic leaders take part in this fun and engaging program that utilizes an all-weather, indoor venue to encourage students to explore the Georgia History Festival theme.

Geared for elementary, with a focus on second grade students studying Georgia history.

Open to public, private, and home school groups with prior registration.

Registration is now open! Register here.