Pre-Requisites to earn American Heritage Merit Badge
Must present to Merit Badge Counselor.
Boy Scouts American Heritage Badge
1. Scouts should read the Declaration of Independence. Pay close attention to the
following section and jot down some ideas on how it could be re-written to be more
understandable.
A. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are
endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life,
liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are
instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.
That whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the
right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its
foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them
shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness. Prudence, indeed, will
dictate that governments long established should not be changed for light and
transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown that mankind are more
disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing
the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and
usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object evinces a design to reduce them
under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such
government, and to provide new guards for their future security.
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2. Research your family’s history. A family tree has been included to aid in your
discovery. Find out how events and situations in American history affected your family.
Tell why your family came to America.
3. Select a topic that is currently in the news and be prepared to describe what is happening
with your merit badge counselor. Explain how today’s events are related to or affected by
the events and values of America’s past.
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4. Fill in the blanks with the following terms;
The Flag
The Pledge of Allegiance
The Seal
The Motto
National Anthem
I was adopted on June 14, 1777. At that time I featured 13 stars. I am the
_____________________.
I was formally adopted by Congress in 1942. It has been revised 4 times since its
adoption. I am the _______________________.
I was adopted and publically used in 1782. . The only changes since were in 1959
and 1960, which added 49th and 50th stars to the circle following the admissions of
Alaska and Hawaii as states. I am the ___________________.
I was also adopted in 1782. I am the ___________________.
I was adopted on March 3, 1931. I am the ___________________.
5. Explain how each of the following terms continue to influence Americans today:
The Flag:
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The Pledge of Allegiance:
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The Seal:
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The Motto:
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National Anthem:
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