Street Law to Expand LegalTimelines.org with Library of Congress Support

Three years ago, Street Law, Inc. embarked on an initiative to develop visual timelines to teach about central legal themes in U.S. history through primary sources. The project aimed to transform the way students and educators engage with legal history and its ongoing relevance.

To date, this initiative has reached over 50,000 students, offering visually compelling timelines and accompanying lesson plans on suffrage, federalism, rights of the accused, students’ rights, presidential powers, and Native American legal history. These resources are freely available on www.legaltimelines.org.

Thanks to continued support from the Library of Congress Teaching with Primary Sources program, the project is entering a new phase of growth. Over the next three years, Street Law will broaden the reach and deepen the impact of LegalTimelines.org through four key objectives:

• Expanding Educator Access: The project will target special education and middle school teachers, as well as educators in underrepresented regions of the United States, such as Texas, Georgia, and Oklahoma.
• Enhancing Resources for Diverse Learners: Responding to feedback, Street Law will incorporate strategies tailored to English Language Learners, students with disabilities, and those reading below grade level. These updates will be grounded in primary sources and informed by expert reviews.
• Development of a New, Innovative Teaching Tool: Recognizing the Constitution’s central role in civics and history instruction, Street Law will create an interactive resource that ties the timelines directly to constitutional law. This tool will help educators teach the timelines through a thematic lens, encouraging students to explore the links between historical events and the nation’s founding document.
• Sustainability and Professional Development: To maximize the impact of LegalTimelines.org, the project will provide professional development for educators through its Teacher Amicus Group. Additionally, Street Law will present at national and regional education conferences, equipping thousands of educators to bring these resources into their classrooms effectively.

With a proven track record in creating impactful civic and law-related educational programs, Street Law is well-positioned to address critical gaps in civics and history education by offering high-quality, interactive resources that bring primary sources to life.

The expansion of LegalTimelines.org is more than an enhancement of a successful initiative—it is a commitment to making the study of U.S. legal history accessible and relevant to all learners. By connecting students to the stories and principles that have shaped the nation, this project empowers them to engage with the democratic process and envision their role in shaping the future.