We were tasked with writing a memo to the Secretary of Education at the time, Miguel Cardona, with the prompt: “A Usable Past? How History Can Help Us Reform Our Schools.” In this memo, I emphasize the role of education in fostering democratic citizenship by encouraging students to question societal norms, engage in discourse, and critically analyze historical ambiguities. The memo discusses the evolution of civics education and warns against censorship and restrictive curricula. It urges Secretary Miguel Cardona to ensure that civics education incorporates diverse perspectives, fosters critical thinking, and equips students to contribute to a just and equitable society.