Req 8 — A Positive Turning Point

With the help of your parent or guardian, study an event that had a positive outcome on how society viewed a group of people and made them feel more welcome. Describe to your counselor the event and what you learned.

This requirement asks you to look at history through a specific lens: find a moment when society’s attitude toward a group of people changed for the better. Not all progress happens overnight — sometimes it takes years, decades, or even centuries — but there are defining events that mark turning points.

What to Look For

You are searching for an event that meets two criteria:

It changed how society viewed a group of people. Public perception shifted.
It made that group feel more welcome. The change was positive and meaningful.

This could be a law, a court ruling, a social movement, a cultural moment, a speech, or even a single act of courage that captured the nation’s attention.

Categories of Events to Explore

Here are some categories to help you brainstorm. This is not an exhaustive list — it is a starting point for your research with your parent or guardian.

Civil Rights and Racial Equality

The desegregation of public schools following Brown v. Board of Education (1954)
The passage of the Civil Rights Act (1964) and Voting Rights Act (1965)
The election of the first Black president of the United States (2008)

Disability Rights

The passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (1990), which guaranteed equal access to jobs, schools, and public spaces for people with disabilities
The Special Olympics movement, which changed public perception of people with intellectual disabilities

Women’s Rights

The 19th Amendment granting women the right to vote (1920)
Title IX (1972), which opened the door for women and girls in school sports and education programs

Immigration and Refugee Inclusion

The arrival of refugee families from conflict zones and the community organizations that helped them build new lives
Local events where communities came together to welcome newcomers

Indigenous Peoples’ Rights

Formal apologies and recognition of the historical treatment of Native Americans
The establishment of the National Museum of the American Indian (2004)

Cultural Moments

Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier in Major League Baseball (1947)
The publication of books, films, or art that changed how people understood a marginalized group

A historical scene depicting a moment of positive social change, people celebrating and marching peacefully together

How to Research Your Event

Work with your parent or guardian to choose an event and learn more about it. Here is a framework for your research:

Research Framework

Use these questions to guide your study

What was the event? Describe it clearly — what happened, when, and where.
What group of people was affected? How were they viewed before this event?
What changed? How did society’s attitude shift as a result?
Who were the key people involved? What motivated them?
What resistance or opposition did they face?
What is the lasting impact? How does this event still affect life today?

When you discuss your event with your counselor, go beyond just the facts. Share what you learned — what the event taught you about citizenship, courage, and the power of change.

Think about:

Why does this event matter today, not just when it happened?
How does the story connect to the key terms you learned in Requirement 1 (equity, inclusion, upstander, etc.)?
Did the event inspire you personally? How?
What does the event teach you about the kind of citizen you want to be?

National Museum of African American History and Culture — Digital Collections The Smithsonian's NMAAHC offers extensive digital collections on key moments in American civil rights history.

History is full of moments when ordinary people pushed society to be better. By studying one of those moments, you join a long tradition of citizens who believe in progress.