On April 24, to kick off the National Archives’ multiyear celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, Archivist of the United States Colleen Shogan hosted a conversation with National Constitution Center President and CEO Jeffrey Rosen about his new book, The Pursuit of Happiness: How Classical Writers on Virtue Inspired the Lives of the Founders and Defined America. Read more and watch the recording | |
Debate at America’s Town Hall
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Living Constitutionally: Insights From A.J. Jacobs and Jeffrey Rosen
Friday, May 10 | Noon ET
Join A.J. Jacobs, author of The Year of Living Constitutionally: One Man’s Humble Quest to Follow the Constitution’s Original Meaning, in conversation with NCC President and CEO Jeffrey Rosen, author of the new book The Pursuit of Happiness: How Classical Writers on Virtue Inspired the Lives of the Founders and Defined America, as they explore what it means to live constitutionally today. Learn more
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Constitutional Challenges in the Age of AI
Wednesday, May 15 | Noon ET
Tech policy experts Mark Coeckelbergh, author of the new book Why AI Undermines Democracy and What To Do About It, Mary Anne Franks of George Washington University Law School, and Marc Rotenberg of the Center for AI and Digital Policy explore the evolving relationship between artificial intelligence and constitutional principles and suggest strategies to protect democratic values in the digital age. Thomas Donnelly, chief content officer at the National Constitution Center, moderates. Learn more
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This program is made possible through the generous support of Citizen Travelers, the nonpartisan civic engagement initiative of Travelers. | |
America’s Confrontations With Illiberalism: From Past to Present
Monday, May 20 | Noon ET
Steven Hahn, author of Illiberal America: A History, joins Manisha Sinha, author of The Rise and Fall of the Second American Republic: Reconstruction, 1860–1920, for a conversation exploring America’s historical encounters with illiberalism and its relevance to contemporary challenges confronting American democracy today. Learn more
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On May 25, 1787, the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia started in earnest and the first votes were taken at what is now called Independence Hall. One of the museum’s most popular and iconic attractions, Signers’ Hall invites you to walk among 42 life-size, bronze statues of the Founding Fathers who added their name to the Constitution—as well as those who dissented—on September 17, 1787. | |
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
May 2024
During Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month at the National Constitution Center, we’ll host programs exploring the contributions of individuals like Mabel Ping Hua Lee, Fred Korematsu, Patsy Mink, Simon Tam, and more. Join us for our new program Asian Americans and the Constitution! Learn more
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Memorial Day Weekend With Free Admission
Saturday, May 25 – Monday, May 27
All weekend long, the National Constitution Center honors our nation’s fallen servicemembers by highlighting the history of Memorial Day, taking a closer look at famous memorials and monuments, and uncovering the complexities of how a nation remembers. In addition to access to all the Center’s exhibits and artifacts, programming includes flag ceremonies, discussions on U.S. memorials through history and across the country, family friendly workshops and lectures as well as crafts for learners of all ages. Learn more
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Activities include:
- Memorials: How A Nation Remembers program
- The History of Memorial Day trivia show
- The American Flag: History and Etiquette program
- Make your own poppy pins and design a memorial
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Free admission to the National Constitution Center for Memorial Day Weekend, Saturday, May 25, through Monday, May 27, is made possible through the generous support of Citizen Travelers, the nonpartisan civic engagement initiative of Travelers. | |
Learn About the Constitution | |
Take a Virtual Field Trip to Philadelphia With Us
Live From the Museum: Portraits of a New Nation
Tuesday, May 21 | Noon ET
In this collaboration with the Philadelphia Museum of Art, this program allows students to analyze portraits as primary sources to unlock the past. From the wife of a Founding Father to a Black artist making a living in the early Republic, museum educators guide classes in a discussion around how principles of freedom and equality were granted to some but denied to others. Register now
Civic Stories: Some Fighting Quakers
Thursday, May 23 | Noon ET (Live ASL Interpretation Available)
The Religious Society of Friends has been known as a pacifist faith—yet throughout time, Quakers have both embraced this belief and broken from it. This program highlights Betsy Ross and Samuel Nicholas, two Quakers who joined the branch known as Free Quakers, as well as some of their Quaker contemporaries who remained Loyalist to the cause. How did their faith impact their response to the Revolution? Presented in partnership with Arch Street Meeting House. Register now
Live From the Museum: The Unknown Soldier Aboard Olympia
Friday, May 24 | 11 a.m. ET (Live ASL Interpretation Available)
learn the story of the Unknown Soldier aboard Olympia, led by Independence Seaport Museum's Manager of Historic Ships Greg Williams. Discover the story about the unspeakable perils of World War I and follow along as we share the drama of the return of the Unknown Soldier’s remains and how this story had fallen into obscurity, until now. Presented in partnership with the Independence Seaport Museum. Register now
Visit our website for a full list of virtual museum programming.
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Year-End Review With Constitution 101
Constitution 101 includes 15 course modules, each offering classroom-ready lesson plans, interactive videos, student activities, assessments, and more. Teachers can implement the semester-long curriculum, or pick and choose the modules that fit best into their existing schedule. Learn more
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Ensuring Election Integrity: Insights From Meta’s Oversight Board
Run time: 1 hour, 3 minutes
Members of Meta’s Oversight Board Michael McConnell and Kenji Yoshino discuss the board’s recent work, including its efforts to ensure free and fair elections in advance of the 2024 presidential election. Watch now
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America’s Most Consequential Elections: From FDR to Reagan
Run time: 1 hour
Michael Gerhardt and Andrew Busch join Jeffrey Rosen to explore the pivotal elections of 1932 and 1980. They compare the transformative presidencies of Franklin D. Roosevelt and Ronald Reagan, and trace how founding-era debates between Hamilton and Jefferson over the scope of federal and executive power re-emerged during the New Deal and Reagan Revolution. Watch now
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Is President Trump Immune From Prosecution?
Run time: 52 minutes
John Yoo and Smita Ghosh join Jeffrey Rosen to preview the arguments in Trump v. United States, review the founders’ views on executive immunity, and discuss how the Court might decide this crucial case. Listen now
Lincoln, Democracy, and the American Experiment
Run time: 1 hour
Jeffrey Rosen has a special one-on-one conversation with the historian Allen Guelzo on his new book Our Ancient Faith: Lincoln, Democracy, and the American Experiment. They discuss Lincoln’s powerful vision of democracy, revisit his approach to tackling slavery and preserving the Union, and explain how Lincoln remains relevant as a political thinker today. Listen now
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Supreme Court Tackles History with Trump’s Immunity Case
by Scott Bomboy | Read time: 6 minutes
“On Thursday, the nine justices on the U.S. Supreme Court tackled a question “for the ages” in the Trump v. United States immunity case arguments. But after nearly two hours and 40 minutes of questioning, the case’s outcome seems uncertain. ...” Read more
Will the Supreme Court Clip the Wings of Prosecutors in Their Jan. 6 Prosecutions?
by Scott Bomboy | Read time: 5 minutes
“Before the U.S. Supreme Court takes up former President Donald Trump’s claim of immunity from criminal prosecution in the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, the justices will hear another Jan. 6 case that may affect not just Trump, but 300 others involved in that violent riot, and the future power of federal prosecutors in similar situations. ...” 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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