Debate at America’s Town Hall
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Dana Bash on America’s Deadliest Election
Thursday, March 20 | 7 p.m. ET (NEW DATE)
Join CNN Anchor and Chief Political Correspondent Dana Bash for a discussion of her book, America’s Deadliest Election: The Cautionary Tale of the Most Violent Election in American History, which explores the little-known story of the 1872 reelection of President Ulysses S. Grant, which nearly pushed American democracy to its breaking point, and what we can learn from it today. Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, moderates. Learn more
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Michael Lewis on Who Is Government?
Wednesday, March 26 | Noon ET
Best-selling author Michael Lewis discusses his new book, Who Is Government?: The Untold Story of Public Service. As Americans’ distrust in the government continues to grow, Lewis’ book examines how the government works, who works for it, and why their contributions continue to matter. Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, moderates. Learn more
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The Evolution of the Presidential Pardon From Jefferson to Trump
Thursday, March 27 | 7 p.m. ET
Brian Kalt of Michigan State College of Law and Jeffrey Toobin, author of The Pardon: The Politics of Presidential Mercy, explore the founders’ vision for the pardon power and the use of the presidential pardon throughout American history—from Thomas Jefferson’s pardons to those issued by Presidents Biden and Trump. Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, moderates. Learn more
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Women’s History Month
Throughout Women’s History Month, the Center recognizes extraordinary American women throughout history, including those featured in our exhibit, The 19th Amendment: How Women Won the Vote. We’ll also look at the accomplishments of American women who fought for freedom, equality, and equal rights for all Americans with special daily programs. Learn more
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Remember the Ladies Trivia Night
Saturday, March 8 | 5–7 p.m.
This International Women’s Day, we invite you to “remember the ladies” and show off your trivia skills! Grab a bite, explore exhibits, and join for special Women’s History Month programming. The night includes free food, games, exhibit tours, and a trivia contest with prizes. Cash bar available from 5–6:30 p.m. Free admission.
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Sensory-Friendly Day
Sunday, March 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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Learn About the Constitution | |
Women’s History Month Learning Resources
The 19th Amendment: How Women Won the Vote
Tuesday, March 25 | Noon ET
Join us for a live guided tour of our exhibit, The 19th Amendment: How Women Won the Vote, which traces the triumphs and struggles that led to the ratification of the 19th Amendment. Get an up-close look at some of the one-of-a-kind artifacts on display, including a rare printing of the Declaration of Sentiments from the nation’s first women’s rights convention in Seneca Falls, a ballot box used to collect women’s votes in the late 1800s, Pennsylvania’s ratification copy of the 19th Amendment, as well as “Votes for Women” ephemera.
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Educational Resources for Women’s History Month
Browse our extensive library of educational resources including video lessons and recordings of previous live classes, classroom activities, blog posts, Interactive Constitution essays, and more. Topics for Women’s History Month include:
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New Resource: Constitution in the Headlines
Constitution in the Headlines is a collection of curated resources designed to help contextualize constitutional topics in the news. Explore shortened, classroom-friendly versions of America’s Town Hall discussions, We the People podcasts, or Constitution Daily blog posts that include nonpartisan constitutional analysis from experts and scholars from across the ideological spectrum. Each media asset will come with engagement questions, activities, and primary sources to deepen engagement, build connections and critical thinking skills, as well as foster civil dialogue. Learn more
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Jeffrey Rosen appears on CBS Sunday Morning to discuss whether we are in a constitutional crisis and the limits of executive power. Watch now | |
The State of Partisanship: Confronting the Challenges of a Divided Nation
Run time: 58 minutes
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. Watch now
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Juan Williams on the Rise of the America’s Second Civil Rights Movement
Run time: 1 hour
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. Watch now
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Reconstruction and the Constitution: A Historical Perspective
Run time: 2 hours, 2 minutes
The National Constitution Center and the Federal Judicial Center convene leading historians for conversations on Reconstruction and the Constitution. Watch now
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The Supreme Court and the Trump Administration
Run time: 47 minutes
Jamelle Bouie and David French of The New York Times, Sarah Isgur of The Dispatch, and Melissa Murray of NYU School of Law join Jeffrey Rosen to make sense of the relationship between the Roberts Court and the Trump administration. They discuss how the Supreme Court might resolve open legal questions—including impoundment and the unitary executive theory—and debate the Court’s role in maintaining the separation of powers. Listen now
How Powerful Is the President?
Run time: 48 minutes
President Trump’s far-reaching executive actions have given rise to a debate about whether the president is acting within the tradition of presidential power—or whether recent events represent a departure from the constitutional order and precedent. Melody Barnes of the University of Virginia Karsh Institute for Democracy, Charles Cooke of National Review, Joanne Freeman of Yale University, and Yuval Levin of the American Enterprise Institute join Jeffrey Rosen to discuss the American tradition of presidential power and evaluate analogues to our constitutional moment from across U.S. history. Listen now
President Trump’s Executive Orders
Run time: 55 minutes
Since January 20, 2025, President Trump has issued dozens of executive orders, several of which have attracted legal challenges. Steve Vladeck of Georgetown University Law Center and Gary Schmitt of the American Enterprise Institute join Jeffrey Rosen to parse the flurry of executive orders and preview the lawsuits they face. Listen now
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The Constitution and the federal budget process
by Scott Bomboy | Read time: 4 minutes
“The state of the federal budget is a hot topic of discussion with the House of Representatives passing a federal budget resolution on Feb. 25, 2025, for consideration by the Senate. ...” Read more
Will a Supreme Court precedent limiting presidential removal powers survive?
by Scott Bomboy | Read time: 5 minutes
“A Supreme Court ruling from the 1930s is getting new attention as President Donald Trump is seeking to fire the head of an independent government agency formed by Congress. ...” Read more
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