The Anniversary Party

By Sandra Day Oconnor

In May 1604, 104 Englishmen landed at Jamestown, Va., to establish the first successful permanent English settlement in the New World. This year we commemorate the 400th anniversary of their arrival--an event that changed the world. Jamestown was the beginning of America's representative government, the rule of law, free enterprise and what has now become one of the most culturally diverse societies on earth.

The founders of Jamestown underwent severe testing; their survival was continually at risk. But Jamestown endured and gave America if not a perfect start, certainly a legacy of self-reliance sufficient to build upon and establish a system of citizen participation in government.

So what can we learn from Jamestown? There is of course the tangible. The research being done at Historic Jamestowne, including some breakthrough discoveries in recent years, is giving us new insights into exactly what took place so long ago. Since 1994, in fact, archaeologists have uncovered a vast array of artifacts--ceramics, jewelry, tools, coins, furnishings, food, armor and arms--that have illuminated the conditions, trials, troubles and heroics of this colonial English outpost in the New World. Simply as a story of humanity in adversity, it is a stunning and instructive tale.

But there is the larger purpose at work today in this commemoration--a purpose that goes to the heart of how we strengthen our democracy in today's world and build for the future. Jamestown has something to contribute to that too. This is an ideal opportunity to recognize the importance of promoting civic learning: teaching our young people about our history and the responsibilities of citizenship as well as the special significance of the rule of law in a functioning democracy. The better we all understand and appreciate the genesis of the American republic and how it works, the more likely it is that we will continue to develop the means to live cooperatively and successfully in today's challenging world.

America persevered because passionate, civic-minded citizens understood the importance of this country's founding traditions and were willing to take a stand in their defense. But these historic lessons are not passed on to new generations through the gene pool. They must be taught in our schools.

Teaching civic responsibility involves connecting a child's life to the greater community. By speaking out on neighborhood issues and helping to serve the needs of their community, parents can teach their children the importance of becoming active participants in the world they too will one day serve.

Teaching young people the importance of voting is just one way to encourage civic involvement. Along with participation in community discussions and communicating with local, state and federal officials, voting is at the heart of America's democratic system. Parents who take their children to polling precincts when they are young help them understand that they have a voice in the democratic process. Voting empowers the powerless, equalizes the powerful and provides a voice to those who feel excluded from the process of government.

Over the past 40 years, the number of civics courses taught in our schools has declined significantly. Classes that once encouraged debate on current issues, fostered creative thinking and rewarded civic involvement and public service have given way to technical instruction designed to prepare students for the current demands of the workforce. While preparation for employment is critical to assuring students opportunities in a competitive world, it is not sufficient. More emphasis should be placed on civic learning to ensure that America's future generations are ready to meet this responsibility not only in the workplace but also in the polling place.

We must look to the past to understand better how we became the people we are, the adversity that had to be overcome, the courage of our forebears, their achievements and, yes, their mistakes and failings. We must also make time to look to the future. Jamestown's 400th birthday provides a platform for emphasizing the importance of civics education taught in the context of our nation's history. Sustaining our democratic republic requires that we renew our commitment to that objective.

America's next 400 years depend on it.

The retired Supreme Court Justice is honorary chairwoman of America's 400th Anniversary