For or Against Constitutional Originalism?: A Debate

Run time: 1 hour, 2 minutes

Jonathan Gienapp, author of the new book, Against Constitutional Originalism: A Historical Critique, is joined by Stephen Sachs 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. Listen now

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

December 31, 1999: Panama Regains the Panama Canal

by NCC Staff | Read time: 4 minutes

“On December 31, 1999, the United States officially handed the Panama Canal over to Panama’s government, ending a long saga that had started a century and a half earlier. ...” Read more

January 2, 1920: Massive Raids During the Red Scare

by NCC Staff | Read time: 4 minutes

“The Constitution faced a major test on this day in 1920 when raids ordered by Attorney General Mitchell Palmer saw thousands of people detained without warrants merely upon general suspicion. ...” Read more

December 31, 1815: Major General George Meade is Born

On December 31, 1815, Major General George Meade is born. See a pair of dress spurs from his Union Army uniform on display in our exhibit, Civil War and Reconstruction.

Credit: Collection of the Civil War Museum of Philadelphia on loan from Gettysburg Foundation 

Article III

“The judicial Power of the United States, shall be vested in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish. The Judges, both of the supreme and inferior Courts, shall hold their Offices during good Behaviour, and shall, at stated Times, receive for their Services, a Compensation, which shall not be diminished during their Continuance in Office.” 

Read interpretations in the Interactive Constitution

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