2023 has been another memorable year of light and learning at the National Constitution Center. In this season of bringing people together, consider a special year-end gift to support our meaningful work of inspiring constitutional education and modeling civil dialogue for all. Give now

Debate at America’s Town Hall

The Taft Court: Making Law for a Divided Nation

Monday, December 11 | 7 p.m. ET

Join Robert Post, Sterling Professor of Law at Yale Law School, as he delves into the highly anticipated volumes from the Oliver Wendell Holmes Devise History of the Supreme Court, The Taft Court Making Law for a Divided Nation, 1921–1930. Post will explore the history of the Taft Court and the contrasting constitutional approaches among its justices, including Louis Brandeis and Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., among others. Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, moderates.

Loyalists vs. Patriots and the American Revolution

Wednesday, December 13 | Noon ET

Join Joyce Lee Malcolm, author of The Times That Try Men’s Souls: The Adams, the Quincys, and the Families Divided by the American Revolution—and How They Shaped a New Nation, and Eli Merritt, author of Disunion Among Ourselves: The Perilous Politics of the American Revolution, to explore the origins and clashing ideologies during the American Revolution, how Loyalists and Patriots were divided, and how the differing opinions of both groups continue to shape our understanding of American identity. Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, moderates. 

Bill of Rights Day

Friday, December 15

This Bill of Rights Day, the Center presents a series of programs and events highlighting the history and meaning of the First Amendment. Join us live to celebrate the freedoms of speech, press, religion, assembly, and petition. Participants can test their First Amendment knowledge through interactive programs and trivia, join a live guided tour of our new First Amendment gallery, and meet historic figures who used the First Amendment to expand the meaning of “We the People.” Learn more

Sensory-Friendly Day

Sunday, December 31 | 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

The National Constitution Center offers Sensory-Friendly Days to create an accessible learning experience for people of all abilities and their families while providing visitors with sensory-processing challenges the opportunity to experience the museum in a secure and comfortable environment. Sensory-Friendly Days incorporate modified programming, specialized staff training, and emotionally safe spaces for families—including a room with a variety of sensory objects for visitors to use, comfortable seating, and cool blue lighting that creates a calming atmosphere. Learn more

Note: The Center will observe adjusted hours during winter break, beginning Sunday, December 24. Learn more

Virtual Museum Programs Celebrating the First Amendment

Civic Stories: Nothing About Us Without Us

Friday, December 8 | Noon ET

Discover how the disabled community has used the First Amendment’s right to petition to fight for their inclusion. Learn about the formation of The Arc, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and more. Register now

Civic Stories: Pride and Protest

Tuesday, December 12 | Noon ET

Learn how members of the LGBTQIA+ community in the United States fought for their inclusion by exercising their First Amendment rights to assembly and speech. As activist Harvey Milk once said, “rights are won only by those who make their voices heard.” Register now

Live from the Museum: Parades, Prisons, and Protests

Friday, December 15 | 10 a.m. ET

Join us live from our exhibit, The 19th Amendment: How Women Won the Vote, as we explore how suffragists used the First Amendment to secure voting rights. Register now

Civic Stories: First Amendment Freedoms Featuring Historic Figures

Friday, December 15 | Noon ET

During this special program, meet Sojourner Truth, Benjamin Franklin, Dora Lewis, and William Penn and discover how they sought to expand the vision of “We, the People.” Register now

Visit our website for a full list of virtual museum programming.

Bill of Rights Resources

Browse Bill of Rights resources including museum interactives, primary sources, videos, activities and more. Learn more

WATCH

Democracy, Populism, and the Tyranny of the Minority

Run time: 1 hour, 2 minutes

Political scientists Frances Lee, Steven Levitsky, and Kurt Weyland explore some of the new theories and approaches to the challenges facing American democracy in 2023 and beyond, including proposed solutions. Watch now

What the Black Intellectual Tradition Can Teach Us About Democracy

Run time: 1 hour

Jamelle Bouie and Melvin Rogers explore the ways key African American intellectuals and artists reimagined U.S. democracy. Watch now

LISTEN

The Future of the Securities & Exchange Commission

Run time: 50 minutes

Noah Rosenblum and Ilan Wurman break down the arguments in Securities and Exchange Commission v. Jarkesy, a case that could affect the structure of the SEC and the modern administrative state as we know it. Listen now

Breaking Down the Supreme Court’s Code of Ethics

Run time: 56 minutes

Daniel Epps and Stephen Vladeck join Jeffrey Rosen to break down recent self-imposed the Supreme Court ethics code and explore questions about how it will be applied and enforced. Listen now

READ

Retired Associate Justice Sandra Day O’Connor Passes Away at 93

by NCC Staff | Read time: 3 minutes

“The Supreme Court announced on December 1, 2023, that retired Associate Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, who left the bench in 2006, has died at the age of 93. ...” Read more

November 27, 1973: The 25th Amendment Gets Its First Test

by NCC Staff | Read time: 4 minutes

“On November 27, 1973, the United States Senate became the first legislative house to act under the 25th Amendment, when it voted to approve Representative Gerald Ford as the new Vice President. ...” Read more

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