Montesquieu and the Constitution

Run time: 1 hour

William B. Allen, Thomas Pangle, Dennis Rasmussen, and Diana Schaub discuss the political thought of Montesquieu and his influence on American democracy. Listen now

We the People and Live at the National Constitution Center are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more 

August 24, 1814: The British Set Fire to Washington, D.C.

by NCC Staff | Read time: 3 minutes

“The United States capital of Washington, D.C., burned on this day in 1814, but it may have been an act of nature that forced the British from the besieged city. ...” Read more

August 23, 1784: The State of Franklin Starts its Brief Existence

by NCC Staff | Read time: 2 minutes

“On August 23, 1784, the self-proclaimed state of Franklin broke away from North Carolina and attempted an experiment at self-rule, in a dispute over land grants and sovereignty. ...” Read more

August 26: Women's Equality Day

While the 19th Amendment gave women the right to vote nationally on August 18, 1980, it wasn't certified until August 26 of that year. Explore the final few years of suffrage work that ultimately led to the 19th Amendment in this online exhibit of The 19th Amendment: How Women Won the Vote.

The 19th Amendment

“The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.”

Read interpretations in the Interactive Constitution

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