The Declaration Was a Promise We Have to Keep

Our Story Continues begins now. Join us and Americans across the country in exploring the principles and ideas that shape our nation and to reflect on how we, the people, will write the next chapter. Learn more

We invite you to take an early look at our digital America at 250 Civic Toolkit, before its public launch on Constitution Day, September 17. The toolkit is an essential guide that brings to life America's founding documents and principles and features the Interactive Declaration of Independence, which includes scholarly analysis of the Declaration’s text, historical significance, and modern relevance, along with engaging videos and biographies of members of the founding generation.

IN PERSON AND ONLINE

Pursuit of Happiness: Song Cycles by Jeffrey Rosen

Monday, September 8 | 7 p.m. ET. 

American Philosophical Society, 427 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia

Join us at the American Philosophical Society for a special recital marking the launch of Pursuit: The Founders’ Guide to Happiness, a new podcast from the National Constitution Center. Jeffrey Rosen, author of The Pursuit of Happiness and host of the podcast, will present his original songs inspired by the book’s exploration of the classical writers on virtue that shaped the founders. The performance will feature two song cycles—The Golden Mean: Songs for the Pursuit of Happiness and Twelve Titans: Songs of the Greek and Roman Gods and Goddesses—with Rosen joined by pianist Jennifer Blyth and baritone James Martin, professors of music at Dickinson College. Learn more

Register to attend the event in person or online at the button below. The in-person event will take place at the American Philosophical Society and the online event will take place on the American Philosophical Society’s YouTube channel.

Pursuit: The Founders’ Guide to Happiness is a 12-part series hosted by Jeffrey Rosen featuring Ken Burns and leading scholars. It explores how the founders understood personal growth as essential to the common good, and how you can put those ideas into practice today. Pursuit will debut on Monday, September 8. New episodes will then be released weekly on Tuesdays. Listen to the trailer

IN PERSON AND ONLINE

Born Equal: America’s Founding Promise and the Fight for Equality

Tuesday, September 16 | 6:30 p.m. ET



On the eve of Constitution Day, constitutional scholar Akhil Reed Amar of Yale Law School discusses his new book, Born Equal: Remaking America’s Constitution, 1840–1920, which explores the transformative amendments that redefined freedom, equality, and voting rights in the post–Civil War era. Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, moderates. Learn more

A book sale and signing will follow the program.

IN PERSON AND ONLINE

An Evening With Justice Amy Coney Barrett

Wednesday, September 17 | 6:30 p.m. ET

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett joins National Constitution Center President and CEO Jeffrey Rosen for a special Constitution Day conversation to discuss her new book, Listening to the Law: Reflections on the Court and the Constitution. Justice Barrett reflects on her journey to the Court and offers a glimpse into her role (and daily life) as a justice, including her deliberative process and how she approaches interpreting the Constitution. Learn more

Please note: The in-person event is sold out. To attend this event, please register for the livestream below.

Our Fragile Freedoms

Wednesday, September 24 | Noon ET

Pulitzer Prize–winning historian Eric Foner discusses Our Fragile Freedoms, a new collection of essays exploring a range of topics, including debates over slavery and antislavery, the Civil War and Reconstruction, Jim Crow and the battle to dismantle it, and modern debates over the Constitution and how to teach American history. Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, moderates. Learn more

All programs are free—register now!

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