The 2024 Liberty Medal Ceremony Honoring Ken Burns

On Tuesday, September 24, the National Constitution Center held its annual Liberty Medal ceremony honoring America’s storyteller, Ken Burns, for illuminating the nation’s greatest triumphs and tragedies and inspiring all of us to learn about the principles at the heart of the American idea. Listen now on We the People, watch highlights from the ceremony, or find the full ceremony and other ceremony clips on our YouTube playlist.

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

September 25, 1789: Congress Proposes the Bill of Rights to the States

by NCC Staff | Read time: 2 minutes

“On September 25, 1789, the First Congress made a highly-anticipated move in arguably the most important congressional session in history, when it agreed on a list of constitutional amendments known as the Bill of Rights. ...” Read more

Ken Burns Honored With 2024 Liberty Medal

by Scott Bomboy | Read time: 4 minutes

“The National Constitution Center honored America’s storyteller, Ken Burns, with the 36th annual Liberty Medal in a ceremony held on September 24, 2024, in Philadelphia. ...” Read more

September 26, 1789: Washington Appoints Jefferson as First Secretary of State

On September 26, 1789, George Washington appoints Thomas Jefferson as the first U.S. Secretary of State. Learn more about the first Secretary of State and third U.S. president in this October 28, 2023, America’s Town Hall program. Watch now

The Preamble

“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.” 

Read interpretations in the Interactive Constitution

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