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Students learn about Ruby Bridges integrating a school and read a short article about Ruby Bridges as an adult.

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Museum of American History (Smithsonian)

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Museum of American History (Smithsonian)

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Welcome to American History

The museum's world class collections help tell the complex history of our nation. We are located on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

Open today 10:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Plan Your Visit

Entertainment has the power to captivate, inspire and transform us. It brings us together. We share it when we spontaneously recite lines from a favorite movie, dance to the same groove or recreate a national sports moment on a neighborhood street. It can also spur critical conversations, expose divides, and foster important historical change.

Objects from the Collections

As the nation's history museum, we empower people to create a just and compassionate future by exploring, preserving, and sharing the complexity of our past.

Dive Into Exhibitions

Entertainment has the power to captivate, inspire and transform us.

Explore the power and impact of post-WWII magazine photography through iconic portraits.

This bilingual exhibition showcases the work of seven Latina journalists on Spanish-language television.

Women in Entertainment History

Donate Today and Make History

Help us to preserve, protect, and display America's historic treasures.

Donate Today

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The Smithsonian's National Museum of American History preserves our nation's collections and tells a full and complex history of the United States.

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This is the place to be if you're trying to participate in a live poll

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A drama based on the true story of Melvin B. Tolson, a professor at Wiley College Texas. In 1935, he inspired students to form the school's first debate team, which went on to challenge Harvard in the national championship.

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Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 11 wins & 9 nominations. See more awards "

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:

Storyline

Marshall, Texas, described by James Farmer, Jr. as "the last city to surrender after the Civil War," is home to Wiley College, where, in 1935-36, inspired by the Harlem Renaissance and his clandestine work as a union organizer, Professor Melvin Tolson coaches the debate team to a nearly-undefeated season that sees the first debate between U.S. students from white and Negro colleges and ends with an invitation to face Harvard University's national champions. The team of four, which includes a female student and a very young James Farmer, is tested in a crucible heated by Jim Crow, sexism, a lynch mob, an arrest and near riot, a love affair, jealousy, and a national radio audience.

Taglines:

When the nation was in need, he inspired them to give us hope.

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for depiction of strong thematic material including violence and disturbing images, and for language and brief sexuality | See all certifications "

Details

Release Date:

25 December 2007 (USA)

Also Known As:

Debate Pela Liberdade

Box Office

Budget:

$15,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$3,604,000, 23 December 2007, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$30,226,144, 13 April 2008

Company Credits

Technical Specs

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

See full technical specs "

Did You Know?

Goofs

When Prof. Tolson lectures his students about the origin of the word "lynching," he refers to the Willie Lynch Letter or Willie Lynch Speech, which are generally considered modern-day hoaxes. There is no historical or archival record of either before the 1990s, when they first appeared on the Internet. No 1930s professor could have cited them. See more "

Quotes

Melvin B. Tolson : We're holding tryouts for the debate team.
: You sure you want somebody like me?
Melvin B. Tolson : No. That's why you're trying out.
See more "

Connections

Referenced in Notes on Craft: Structure (2009) See more "

Soundtracks

Begrüssung
Performed by Marian Anderson
Public Domain
Courtesy of BMG Classics
See more "

User Reviews

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Directed by Denzel Washington. With Denzel Washington, Forest Whitaker, Kimberly Elise, Nate Parker. A drama based on the true story of Melvin B. Tolson, a professor at Wiley College Texas. In 1935, he inspired students to form the school's first debate team, which went on to challenge Harvard in the national championship.

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After leaving the South as a young man and finding employment at an elite hotel in Washington, D.C., Cecil Gaines (Forest Whitaker) gets the opportunity of a lifetime when he is hired as a butler at the White House. Over the course of three decades, Cecil has a front-row seat to history and the inner workings of the Oval Office. However, his commitment to his "First Family" leads to tension at home, alienating his wife (Oprah Winfrey) and causing conflict with his anti-establishment son.

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In the years before the Civil War, Solomon Northup (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a free black man from upstate New York, is kidnapped and sold into slavery in the South. Subjected to the cruelty of one malevolent owner (Michael Fassbender), he also finds unexpected kindness from another, as he struggles continually to survive and maintain some of his dignity. Then in the 12th year of the disheartening ordeal, a chance meeting with an abolitionist from Canada changes Solomon's life forever.

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You know the story of Rosa Parks. But have you heard of Claudette Colvin?

Claudette grew up in the segregated city of Montgomery, Alabama. On March 2, 1955, when she was 15 years old, she refused to give up her seat on a bus to a white passenger.

Nine months later, Rosa Parks did the exact same thing. Parks, of course, became a powerful symbol of the civil rights movement. But Claudette Colvin has largely been left out of the history books.

In 1956, about a year after Colvin refused to give up her seat, her attorney Fred Gray filed the landmark federal lawsuit Browder v. Gayle. This case ended segregation on public transportation in Alabama. Claudette Colvin was a star witness.

This is her story.
Thanks to Phillip Hoose, author of Claudette Colvin, Twice Towards Justice, Attorney Fred Gray, and especially Claudette Colvin, for giving their voices to this story. Funding comes from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the National Endowment for the Arts.

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You know the story of Rosa Parks. But have you heard of Claudette Colvin?

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You know the story of Rosa Parks. But have you heard of Claudette Colvin? Claudette grew up in the segregated city of Montgomery, Alabama. On March 2, 1955, when she was 15 years old, she refused to give up her seat on a bus to a white passenger.

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This rap talks about the ten amendments in a very creative and easy way.

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How the U.S. Elects a President - Electoral College Explained (Updated)

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This Is Why Juneteenth Is Important for America

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You can use this source to find lesson plans about the government, how a bill becomes a law, how the three branches works. Besides, you can find a great source to find the records regarding these subjects. https://www.usa.gov/history

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Find lesson plans, activities and worksheets for your classroom.

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You can find many documents and lesson plans about the Foundations and the Purposes of the Government, Liberty and Equality and the Traditions of Rights.

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Documents of Freedom: A free digital course on History, Government, and Economics written for teachers, by teachers.

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This website is a rich source for teachers who want to teach about american history. Full of resources to work with different ages and levels.

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Hamilton's America | An Immigrant's Story | PBS LearningMedia

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Learn about Alexander Hamilton's upbringing, his journey as an immigrant from the Caribbean to North America, and observe how it is portrayed in the musical Hamilton in this clip from GREAT PERFORMANCES: "Hamilton's America." Students will be able to compare and contrast stories of immigration and explore how Hamilton "wrote his way out of his circumstances."

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It's a full musical compilation , giving credits to creators of this fantistic musical, there are some animatic versions too. Very interesting!

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This is a great source to teach American History for kids. There are many worksheets available for printing.

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History for kids - Free history network for kids

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History of America

American history is a fascinating subject, and there is so much to learn. The bill of rights is exciting to read and will inform you about the first ten amendments of the constitution. The American Revolution started in 1775 and lasted until 1783. Learn about the first president George Washington who became president in 1789. Many leaders and statesmen have helped shape the country from Benjamin Franklin to William Fulbright. Have fun learning about a great nation.

Civil Rights

Born a slave on a plantation in 1856, Booker T. Washington had little in the way of hope to be more.
Read More

Cesar Chavez made a major contribution to the way in which farm labor and migrant workers were
Read More

Ida B. Wells was the daughter of American slaves and was born in Mississippi in 1862 in the middle
Read More

Read All Articles Of Civil Rights

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History of America American history is a fascinating subject, and there is so much to learn. The bill of rights is exciting to read and will inform you about the first ten amendments of the constitution. The American Revolution started in 1775 and lasted until 1783.

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This a very useful tool to teachers who are trying to explain american parties and their different beliefs.

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America's most popular voting guide for elections, political issues, candidates, and poll data

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See which American political parties, candidates, and ballot initiatives match your beliefs based on the 2023 issues that are most important to you.