Debate at America’s Town Hall

The Legacy of Emmett Till: From Tragedy to Activism

Thursday, April 11 | Noon ET

Janai Nelson, president and director-counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, joins Ronald Collins, author of Tragedy on Trial: The Story of the Infamous Emmett Till Murder Trial, to discuss the tragedy of Emmett Till’s murder, the shocking story of the trial that followed, and its impact on the Civil Rights Movement. Thomas Donnelly, chief content officer at the National Constitution Center, moderates. Learn more

Photo: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs division

America’s Most Consequential Presidential Elections: Lincoln, FDR, and Reagan

Tuesday, April 16 | 7 p.m. ET

Join Michael Gerhardt, author of the new book FDR’s Mentors: Navigating the Path to Greatness, and Andrew Busch, author of Reagan’s Victory: The Presidential Election of 1980 and the Rise of the Right, to explore three of America’s pivotal elections that transformed the Constitution and shaped the nation. Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, moderates. Learn more

Ensuring Election Integrity: Insights From Meta’s Oversight Board

Monday, April 29 | Noon ET

As Meta surpassed 2 billion users in 2019, the company created an independent oversight board to review appeals of controversial decisions involving content moderation. Join members of Meta’s Oversight Board, Michael McConnell of Stanford Law School and Kenji Yoshino of New York University School of Law, as they discuss the board’s recent work, including its efforts ensure free and fair elections in advance of the 2024 presidential election. Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, moderates.Learn more

This program is made possible through the generous support of Citizen Travelers, the nonpartisan civic engagement initiative of Travelers.

See the full list of all our recently announced spring and summer programs on our website.

Wawa Day at the National Constitution Center With Free Admission

Tuesday, April 16 | 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

On April 16, the National Constitution Center joins Wawa in celebrating 60 years as part of your communities. The highlight of the event will be the unveiling of a limited-time exhibit of Wawa’s history and evolution—from a dairy farm to a convenience chain of over 1,000 stores. Learn more

Activities at the museum include:



• Wawa 60th Anniversary exhibit
• The Art and Science of Positivity program
• Kids Town Hall: The Story of Philadelphia
• Wawa trivia
• Picnic games and activities
• Free treats and refreshments from the Wawa Community Care Vehicle
• NCC exhibits, including our new First Amendment exhibit
• and more!

Sensory-Friendly Day

Sunday, April 21, 2024 | 10 a.m.–5 p.m. 

Visitors with sensory-processing challenges can experience the National Constitution Center in a secure and comfortable environment that includes modified programming and emotionally safe spaces with sensory objects, comfortable seating, and cool blue lighting. Learn more

Sensory-Friendly Days are made possible thanks to TD Bank and their commitment to connecting communities and breaking down barriers.

Virtual Museum Programs for End-of-Year Review

Civic Stories: William Penn and the Religious Society of Friends

Tuesday, April 16 | Noon ET

As an early convert to the new faith known as the Religious Society of Friends, William Penn had a unique impact on the faith’s growth and endurance through his founding of Pennsylvania. By the end of the 18th century, the Quaker city of Philadelphia was situated to impact the forming of a new nation, and the Quaker principles that are scattered within our founding documents are the proof. While not by design, the Quaker faith has had a continuing legacy in the history of the beginning of the United States. Presented in partnership with Arch Street Meeting House. Register now

AP Test Prep: America’s Founding Documents

Friday, April 19 | 1 p.m. ET

Students review America’s founding documents from a typical course of study for an AP Government class. This class helps students understand these essential documents better—including the fundamental ideas and the major principles underlying the Constitution. Register now

Civic Stories: Exploring Our National Parks

Monday, April 22 | Noon ET (Live ASL Interpretation Available)

Franklin D. Roosevelt once stated, “There is nothing so American as our national parks.” Students are invited to discover the history of the National Park Service, test their knowledge of these national treasures, and meet a Park Ranger. Register now

Live From the Museum: Rare Document Gallery

Tuesday, April 23 | Noon ET

Students can take a behind the scenes tour of our rare document gallery, which houses the copies of three incredible documents that have shaped our ongoing quest for liberty and equality. Inside this gallery, students will see an 1826 engraving of the Declaration of Independence, a rare printing of the Constitution, and a reproduction of the Bill of Rights. This is a perfect session for anyone prepping for the AP Government and Politics exam in May. Register now

AP Test Prep: Landmark Cases

Friday, April 26 | 1 p.m. ET

In this fast-paced and fun session, students review landmark cases from a typical course of study for an AP Government class. This class helps students better understand these landmark cases and the Constitution’s foundational principles. Register now

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

WATCH

Reading the Constitution: A Book Talk With Justice Stephen Breyer

Run time: 1 hour, 4 minutes

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stephen G. Breyer (ret.) unveils his new book, Reading the Constitution: Why I Chose Pragmatism, Not Textualism, at the National Constitution Center in conversation with Jeffrey Rosen Watch now

Lincoln’s Lessons: Then and Now

Run time: 1 hour

Acclaimed Lincoln historians Sidney Blumenthal and Harold Holzer assess Lincoln’s life and legacy to unveil remarkable similarities between the 19th century and today. Watch now

LISTEN

Can the Government Pressure Private Companies to Stifle Speech?

Run time: 52 minutes

Alex Abdo and David Greene discuss two cases in which government officials allegedly pressured private companies to target disfavored viewpoints. They also discuss the free speech implications of the House’s TikTok ban. Listen now

Democracy, Populism, and the Tyranny of the Minority

Run time: 1 hour, 2 minutes

Steven Levitsky, Kurt Weyland, and Frances Lee discuss democratic instability, backsliding, and demagogues from a historical and global perspective. Listen now

READ

Once Again, Supreme Court Dives Into Abortion Fray

by Marcia Coyle | Read time: 6 minutes

“The only people who may have actually believed the Supreme Court was getting out of the abortion issue by eliminating the constitutional right to abortion and returning the issue to the states likely were the conservative justices who voted to do so. ...” Read more

A National TikTok Ban and the First Amendment

by Scott Bomboy | Read time: 5 minutes

“The recent House passage of a bill banning TikTok from app stores in the United States has ignited a national constitutional discussion about free speech and public security. ...” Read more

Explaining the Trump Immunity Case at the Supreme Court

by Scott Bomboy | Read time: 5 minutes

“On April 25, 2024, Supreme Court will consider former President Donald Trump’s claims of immunity from conspiracy and obstruction charges related to the 2020 presidential election. Here is a breakdown of the second high-profile case involving Trump at the Court this year. ...” Read more

Our 2023 Annual Report is now available. Look back with us on highlights from a memorable milestone year, and preview what’s ahead for the Center as we prepare for America’s 250th birthday. Read the report

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