The Center’s new First Amendment gallery is now open! Explore the 1,500-square-foot exhibit which features more than 20 artifacts highlighting all five freedoms, including a draft opinion with handwritten edits from U.S. Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis and an anti-Vietnam War armband worn by the Tinker family and associated with the landmark student speech case, Tinker v. Des Moines. Plan your visit

Debate at America’s Town Hall

National First Amendment Summit

Wednesday, September 13 | 5:30 p.m. ET

The National Constitution Center, in partnership with a coalition of leading free speech organizations, is convening a National First Amendment Summit to discuss the increasing threats to freedom of expression and to celebrate the opening of the Center’s new First Amendment gallery. To lead off the event, author and free-speech advocate Salman Rushdie will engage in a virtual keynote conversation with Suzanne Nossel, CEO of PEN America about the importance of free speech in a democratic society and the forces of censorship that imperil its existence. The summit will feature a series of panels with America’s leading First Amendment thinkers.

This program is presented in partnership with the Freedom Forum, FIRE, the First Amendment Watch at NYU, PEN America, and the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press.

The History of Religious Liberty in America

Monday, September 18 |

5:30 p.m. reception; 6:30 p.m. program

How did America’s founders view religious liberty? And what does it mean today? Join constitutional law experts Marci Hamilton, author of God vs. the Gavel: Religion and the Rule of Law, and Michael McConnell, co-author of Agreeing to Disagree: How the Establishment Clause Protects Religious Diversity and Freedom of Conscience, for a special Constitution Day discussion to celebrate the opening of the Center’s new First Amendment gallery. Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, moderates. 

How to Interpret the Constitution: A Citizen’s Guide

Thursday, September 28 | Noon ET

New York Times bestselling author Cass Sunstein unveils his new book, How to Interpret the Constitution—a citizen’s guide to the rival approaches of originalism and living constitutionalism. Sunstein will be joined by leading constitutional expert Philip Bobbitt of Columbia Law School to discuss the current controversies surrounding constitutional interpretation and provide their takes on the competing methodologies. Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, moderates. 

Constitution Day Celebration

Sunday, September 17 | 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

Monday, September 18 | 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m.

Free admission

In September 1787, the Founding Fathers signed the most influential document in American history, the U.S. Constitution. Each year, the National Constitution Center hosts the best Constitution Day celebration in the country with special programming, activities, and more! The Center’s annual Constitution Day celebration takes place on Monday, September 18, with free admission courtesy of PECO. Admission to the museum is also free on Sunday, September 17, in honor of the 236th anniversary of the signing of the Constitution.

Resources to Celebrate Constitution Day Anytime

Watch

In this video from our Constitution 101 course, we break down the major debates at the Constitution Convention.

Listen

On this episode of the We the People podcast, host Jeffrey Rosen is joined by special guest scholars to explore the intellectual inspirations behind the Constitution.

Quiz

Test how much you know about the delegates at the Constitutional Convention.

Create

Our DIY Preamble Scramble puzzles are great for young learners!

Find a full list of Constitution Day resources on our website.

LISTEN

The U.S. Supreme Court and Ethics Reform

Run time: 48 minutes

Law professors Daniel Hemel and Daniel Epps join host Jeffrey Rosen to discuss various proposals to reform ethics rules surrounding the Supreme Court; how and whether these proposals could go into effect; and what the enforcement mechanisms could be. Listen now

Is President Trump Disqualified From Office Under the 14th Amendment?

Run time: 55 minutes

Law professors Mark Graber and Michael McConnell join host Jeffrey Rosen to discuss what Section 3 of the 14th Amendment means and how it applies to disqualification from office; whether President Trump’s actions qualify as engaging in insurrection; whether or not Section 3 is self-executing and who can enforce it, and more. Listen now

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

READ

Aaron Burr’s Trial and the Constitution’s Treason Clause

by Scott Bomboy | Read time: 3 minutes

“It was September 1, 1807, that former Vice President Aaron Burr was acquitted of treason charges. The trial was truly a “Trial of the Century” in its time and one of the first tests of the Constitution’s Treason Clause. ...” Read more

Thurgood Marshall’s Unique Supreme Court Legacy

by NCC Staff | Read time: 3 minutes

“On August 30, 1967, the Senate confirmed Thurgood Marshall as the first Black person to serve as a Supreme Court Justice. Marshall was no stranger to the Senate or the Supreme Court at the time. ...” Read more

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