Debate at America’s Town Hall
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Reconstruction and the Constitution: A Historical Perspective
Monday, February 10 | 9:45–11:45 a.m. ET
The National Constitution Center and the Federal Judicial Center convene leading historians for conversations on Reconstruction and the Constitution. Pamela Brandwein of the University of Michigan, Sherrilyn Ifill of Howard University School of Law, and Ilan Wurman of the University of Minnesota Law School will explore the 14th Amendment and the history of Reconstruction. Martha Jones of Johns Hopkins University, Kate Masur of Northwestern University, and Dylan Penningroth of the University of California, Berkeley, will delve into the broader legal and social effects of Reconstruction beyond the amendments. Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, moderates. Learn more
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This program is presented in partnership with the Federal Judicial Center. | |
Juan Williams on the Rise of America’s Second Civil Rights Movement
Wednesday, February 26 | Noon ET
New York Times columnist Jamelle Bouie joins award-winning journalist Juan Williams for a conversation on Williams’ new book, New Prize for These Eyes: The Rise of America’s Second Civil Rights Movement, exploring the emergence of a new civil rights era—from the 2008 election of President Obama to the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. Thomas Donnelly, chief scholar at the National Constitution Center, moderates. Learn more
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The State of Partisanship: Confronting the Challenges of a Divided Nation
Monday, March 3 | 7 p.m. ET
Jonathan Rauch, author of Cross Purposes: Christianity’s Broken Bargain with Democracy, and Julian Zelizer, author of In Defense of Partisanship, join for a wide-ranging discussion on their new books and the rise of partisanship in America. Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, moderates. Learn more
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Black History Month
Throughout Black History Month, the Center recognizes extraordinary African Americans throughout the nation’s history. Celebrate Black History Month by viewing our exhibits featuring some of the many African Americans who transformed constitutional history—including Frederick Douglass, Ida B. Wells, Robert Smalls, and Sojourner Truth—to better understand the long fight for freedom and equality. Learn more
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Sensory-Friendly Day
Sunday, February 9 | 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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Presidents Day
Monday, February 17 | 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Free admission
The National Constitution Center celebrates Presidents Day with a variety of in-person and virtual events and resources exploring Article II of the Constitution, the role of the executive branch, and the individuals who have held the office of the president throughout American history. Learn more
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The National Constitution Center is open Presidents Day, Monday, February 17, from, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Admission is free thanks to the generous support of Citizen Travelers, the nonpartisan civic engagement initiative of Travelers. | |
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On-site Activities Include:
- Kids Town Hall: Meet the Presidents
- Presidential costume contest
- Presidential powers show
- Campaign poster stations
- and more!
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Learn About the Constitution | |
Learn About Extraordinary African Americans During Black History Month
Civil War and Reconstruction Virtual Tour: The History of Black Labor
Tuesday, February 25 | Noon ET
In celebration of Black History Month, join us for a virtual tour of Civil War and Reconstruction: the Battle for Freedom and Equality, as one of our educators leads viewers through the history and significance of Black labor during the Antebellum, Civil War, and Reconstruction periods. Learn how early labor systems defined African American culture and the many ways African Americans used their work to resist discrimination and protest against inequality. Along the way, you’ll hear stories of famous African American politicians, educators, and activists and their contributions to and recognition of Black labor.
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Watch: Martha S. Jones on Voting Rights of African American Women
In this previously recorded live class, Martha S. Jones, Society of Black Alumni Presidential Professor and Professor of History at The Johns Hopkins University, discusses the 19th Amendment with a focus on voting rights of African American women. Watch now
Listen: The Life and Legacy of Frederick Douglass
On this special episode of We the People, we examine the life of one of America’s most influential abolitionists, orators, writers, and statesmen: Frederick Douglass. Listen now
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Resources to Learn About Article II
Watch: Article II: The Executive Branch with Michael Gerhardt
In this previously recorded live class, Michael Gerhardt discusses Article II of the Constitution and the executive branch, as well as his experience as an expert on impeachment and presidential powers. Watch now
Read: Five things you need to know about the Electoral College
“The Electoral College isn’t a physical college with a campus and football team. The word “college” at the time of Constitutional Convention was used to describe a group of people. Today, there will be 538 people in the group that casts votes, based on popular election results, for President and Vice President. ...” Read more
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My Fellow Americans: Presidents and Their Inaugural Addresses
Run time: 1 hour
Jeffrey Rosen interviews three contributors to the recently published compendium My Fellow Americans: Presidents and Their Inaugural Addresses, Michael Gerhardt, Kate Masur, and Ted Widmer. They reflect on President Trump’s second inaugural speech and discuss inaugural addresses throughout American history. Watch now
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Jeffrey Rosen on The Pursuit of Happiness
Run time: 33 minutes
Jeffrey Rosen spoke at Brigham Young University about the founders, the pursuit of happiness, and the American idea. Watch now
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Can Texas Require Age Verification on Adult Sites?
Run time: 1 hour, 9 minutes
The Supreme Court will determine whether a Texas law requiring age verification for adult websites violates the First Amendment. Nadine Strossen and Adam Candeub join Jeffrey Rosen to preview oral arguments in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, examine the text, history, and tradition of the First Amendment, and debate whether the Texas law is constitutional. Listen now
The Future of TikTok
Run time: 58 minutes
In TikTok v. Garland, the Supreme Court will determine whether TikTok—the social media platform used by an estimated 170 million Americans—can continue to operate in the United States under the ownership of a Chinese holding company. Jameel Jaffer and Zephyr Teachout join Jeffrey Rosen to debate whether the law that forces TikTok to be sold or banned violates the First Amendment. Listen now
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Defining the president’s constitutional powers to issue executive orders
by Scott Bomboy | Read time: 3 minutes
“Among the most powerful tools available to the president are executive orders, which are written policy directives issued by the president with much of the same power as federal law. However, such orders are not explicitly defined in the Constitution and rest on historical practice, executive interpretations, and court decisions. ...” Read more
A look back at the Wong Kim Ark decision
by Scott Bomboy | Read time: 5 minutes
“President Donald Trump’s executive order seeking to redefine birthright citizenship has cast a new light on a landmark Supreme Court decision, United States v. Wong Kim Ark (1898). ...” Read more
Do presidential pardons remove the Fifth Amendment rights of recipients?
by Scott Bomboy | Read time: 5 minutes
“Before leaving the White House, President Joe Biden granted several pardons to people who may be asked to testify in the future before Congress. But do those pardons, if accepted, remove the recipients’ rights to “take the Fifth” if subpoenaed during a federal investigation? ...” Read more
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