This nation “of the people, by the people, for the people” belongs to you. That gives you both rights and responsibilities. Among those responsibilities is the duty to understand our democratic system of government and your role in it.

-Justice Sandra Day O'Connor

Here are the resources that Justice O'Connor herself recommended to people seeking a solid foundation and understanding of American civics:

Historical publications and speeches

• “Common Sense,” Thomas Paine
  • This pamphlet, published in January 1776, advocated for independence of the American colonies from Great Britain. In it, Paine strongly attacks the British monarchy and aristocracy, arguing for a new American government to be created based on the equality of all people at creation. Common Sense was immensely popular: In proportion to the population of the Thirteen Colonies at the time of its publication, it became—and remains today—the best-selling American title of all time.

• The Constitution
• Gettysburg Address, Abraham Lincoln
• The Fourteen Points, Woodrow Wilson
  • These points, written and announced by President Wilson at the Versailles Peace Conference following World War I, extended the American ideals of democracy and self-determination to the realm of foreign policy. Fighting for these aims would remain a key part of American foreign policy through World War II and the Cold War.
• “Have You No Sense of Decency?" transcript, Army-McCarthy hearings
• “I Have a Dream” speech, Martin Luther King Jr.
• "Ain't I a Woman?," Sojourner Truth

American novels

• My Antonia, Willa Cather
• I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Maya Angelou
• Angle of Repose, Wallace Stegner

Recommended places to visit

1. Local courthouse
2. Town hall
3. Your state capital
4. Local newspaper
5. National park

The Arizona State Capitol. Photo credit: Flickr / Gage Skidmore

Take action!

Justice O'Connor encouraged people to reach out to their elected officials to advocate for solutions to the most important issues we face as a nation. If you have something to say, find your elected officials and tell them! And if an issue is better handled by the private sector than by the government, don't hesitate to write to the people you think could make a difference.