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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. Watch ceremony highlights or see the full ceremony or ceremony clips on our YouTube playlist
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Debate at America’s Town Hall
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For or Against Constitutional Originalism?: A Debate
Tuesday, October 8 | 1 p.m. ET
Stanford University professor Jonathan Gienapp, author of the new book, Against Constitutional Originalism: A Historical Critique, is joined by Stephen Sachs of Harvard Law School to discuss Gienapp’s challenge to originalists’ unspoken assumptions about the Constitution, the history of originalism as a constitutional methodology, and its role in constitutional interpretation today. Thomas Donnelly, chief content officer at the National Constitution Center, moderates. Learn more
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John Lewis: A Life
Wednesday, October 16 | Noon ET
David Greenberg’s new biography, John Lewis: A Life, chronicles the remarkable story of the civil rights activist and congressman. Professor Kenneth Mack of Harvard University joins Greenberg for a discussion of Lewis’ life and impact on American history, whose heroism during the Civil Rights Movement helped inspire America’s new birth of freedom. Lana Ulrich, vice president of content and senior counsel at the National Constitution Center, moderates. Learn more
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IN PERSON AND ONLINE
2024 National First Amendment Summit
Tuesday, October 22
4:30–5:30 p.m. | Welcome reception
5:30–7 p.m. | Program
Co-hosted by FIRE and NYU’s First Amendment Watch, the National Constitution Center’s 2024 National First Amendment Summit convenes America’s leading thinkers for a vigorous discussion of the state of free speech in America and around the globe. A keynote conversation about global free speech with Jason Rezaian of The Washington Post will be followed by discussions of free speech on campus and online. Panelists include FIRE Vice President of Campus Advocacy Alex Morey; Nadine Strossen, author of Free Speech: What Everyone Needs to Know; Jonathan Turley, author of the new book The Indispensable Right: Free Speech in an Age of Rage; Mary Anne Franks, author of the new book Fearless Speech: Breaking Free from the First Amendment; Keith Whittington, author of You Can’t Teach That!: The Battle over University Classrooms; and Kenji Yoshino of NYU School of Law.
A welcome reception with access to the National Constitution Center’s new First Amendment gallery will take place from 4:30–5:30 p.m. The program will directly follow from 5:30–7 p.m. Learn more
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Electing the President: The Popular Vote vs. The Electoral College
Tuesday, October 29 | Noon ET
On the eve of the 2024 presidential election, join Jesse Wegman, author of Let the People Pick the President: The Case for Abolishing the Electoral College, and professor Robert Hardaway, author of Saving the Electoral College: Why the National Popular Vote Would Undermine Democracy, for a program examining the history and current debate over the Electoral College. Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, moderates. Learn more
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National Hispanic American Heritage Month
September 15–October 15
During National Hispanic American Heritage Month, the National Constitution Center pays tribute to the generations of Hispanic Americans who have positively influenced and enriched our nation and society. Join us to learn about Cesar Chavez and the coalition of Filipino and Mexican workers who went on strike for better wages and conditions. The group gained national support for their cause as they exercised their First Amendment rights, including the right to assemble, leading a peaceful march across nearly 300 miles. Learn more
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Sensory-Friendly Day
Sunday, October 6 | 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Visitors with sensory-processing challenges can experience the museum 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
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Sensory-Friendly Days are made possible thanks to TD Bank and their commitment to connecting communities and breaking down barriers. | |
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Learning Resources for Election Day
Election Connections in The Story of We the People
Tuesday, October 29 | Noon ET
Join us live as we highlight all of the Election Connections from our main exhibit, The Story of We the People. We’ll take a look at Article II of the Constitution, exploring how we select our presidents through the lens of some famous historic elections, the constitutional requirements for the job, and the duties of the president once they take office. We’ll also look at what the Constitution says about voting rights, how these rights have changed over time, and conclude with an insider look at the different ways in which people have cast their ballots over the centuries and current voting systems today. Register now
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Explore our extensive library of educational resources including videos, explore primary source documents, classroom activities, and more.
Watch
Unit 9 of the our new Constitution 101 student course with Khan Academy explores the story of elections and voting in America and the constitutional debates over modern issues like campaign finance and redistricting.
Listen
On this episode of the We the People podcast, constitutional scholars do a deep dive into the Electoral Count Act—dictates the congressional procedure for certifying electoral college results in a presidential election—and proposals for fixing it. Listen now
Read
“The right to vote has long been considered one of the cherished freedoms key to American democracy. But voting rights in general were very limited in the Founders’ time and have changed greatly since then. ...” Read more
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A Conversation With Justice Neil Gorsuch on ‘The Human Toll of Too Much Law’
Run time: 1 hour, 8 minutes
The Honorable Neil M. Gorsuch, associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court and NCC honorary co-chair, and his co-author and former law clerk Janie Nitze, joined Jeffrey Rosen in celebration of Constitution Day 2024 and the release of their latest book, Over Ruled: The Human Toll of Too Much Law. Watch now
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‘The Highest Calling’: A Conversation With David Rubenstein on the American Presidency
Run time: 1 hour, 6 minutes
Best-selling author, philanthropist, and National Constitution Center Trustee David Rubenstein joined Jeffrey Rosen at the Center in Philadelphia to discuss his new book, The Highest Calling: Conversations on the American Presidency. They discuss the duties and responsibilities of the presidency, the triumphs and failures of its officeholders, and the future of the role in the 21st century. Watch now
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The Scientist Turned Spy: André Michaux, Thomas Jefferson, and the Conspiracy of 1793
Run time: 48 minutes
Patrick Spero discusses his upcoming book, The Scientist Turned Spy: André Michaux, Thomas Jefferson, and the Conspiracy of 1793, which explores the incredible story of a French explorer André Michaux drawn into a plot to exploit tensions between American settlers and Spanish authorities—and new evidence implicating Thomas Jefferson in the plot. Listen now
Can the Attorney General Appoint a Special Counsel?
Run time: 54 minutes
In July, U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon dismissed a criminal case against former President Donald Trump reasoning that the prosecutor in this case was not properly appointed by the Justice Department. Matthew Seligman and Josh Blackman, who argued before Judge Cannon on opposite sides of this issue, join Jeffrey Rosen to debate the legal basis for the special counsel role. Listen now
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Dikembe Mutombo Believed in the American Idea
by Jeffrey Rosen | Read time: 4 minutes
“‘I only want to be remembered as one of the best defensive players to ever play this game,’ Dikembo Mutombo said when he was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2015. Mutombo, who died yesterday of brain cancer at the age of 58, accomplished that and much more. ...” 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 Sept. 24, 2024, in Philadelphia. ...” Read more
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