Debate at America’s Town Hall
| | |
IN PERSON AND ONLINE
The Pursuit of Liberty: A Book Launch Event With Jeffrey Rosen and Jeffrey Goldberg
Tuesday, October 21 | 6:30 p.m. ET
Join National Constitution Center President and CEO Jeffrey Rosen and Atlantic Editor-in-Chief Jeffrey Goldberg for the launch of Rosen’s new book, The Pursuit of Liberty: How Hamilton vs. Jefferson Ignited the Lasting Battle Over Power in America. The book explores how the opposing constitutional visions of Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton have defined the nation since its founding, shaped presidents from Washington to Trump, and continued to drive today’s debates over government power. Learn more
A book sale and signing will follow the program.
| | This program is presented in partnership with The Atlantic and the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History. | |
Liberalism: Current Challenges and Modern Debates
Thursday, October 23 | Noon ET
Susan Stokes, author of The Backsliders: Why Leaders Undermine Their Own Democracies, and Cass Sunstein, author of On Liberalism: In Defense of Freedom, explore the current challenges facing liberalism and why liberalism remains essential to freedom, democracy, and the rule of law. Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, moderates. Learn more
| |
Native Nations: From Ancient Cities to Today
Tuesday, November 4 | Noon ET
In celebration of Native American Heritage Month, award-winning historian Kathleen DuVal discusses her new book, Native Nations: A Millennium in North America, tracing a thousand years of Native history—from the rise of ancient cities and the arrival of Europeans to today’s ongoing fights for sovereignty. Thomas Donnelly, chief scholar of the National Constitution Center, moderates. Learn more
| |
National Hispanic American Heritage Month
September 15–October 15
Celebrate Hispanic American Heritage Month with the National Constitution Center! Join us for special artifact chats and highlights on Hispanic American figures who changed the country forever with their advocacy and activism. Learn more
|
|
Sensory-Friendly Day
Sunday, October 12 | 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
|
| Learn About the Constitution | |
New Interactive Declaration and 250th Anniversary-Inspired Videos and Essays
As we prepare to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026, we invite all Americans to explore the principles and ideas that shape our nation through a new America at 250 Civic Toolkit. Resources include:
- A full text of the Declaration of Independence, annotated by legal scholar Akhil Reed Amar, and an audio version;
- Digitized images of the original Declaration of Independence;
- Essays from leading scholars and historians including Robert P. George, Danielle Allen, and Gordon Wood;
- Classroom and family-friendly resources to explore themes of the 250th;
- 89 written biographies and professionally produced animated videos, written by historian Carol Berkin, of key members of the founding generation who signed the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.
| |
Amy Coney Barrett on ‘Listening to the Law’
Run time: 58 minutes
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. Watch now
| |
Born Equal: America’s Founding Promise and the Fight for Equality
Run time: 1 hour, 5 minutes
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. Watch now
| |
What Is the Legacy of the Roberts Court on Its 20th Anniversary?
Run time: 1 hour
In this episode, Steve Vladeck and Sarah Isgur join to discuss the legacy of the Roberts Court on its 20th anniversary and preview the important cases in the Supreme Court’s upcoming term, which begins on Monday, October 6. The National Constitution Center’s Griffin Richie guest hosts. Listen now
Can Government Officials Pressure Private Companies and Universities to Restrict Speech?
Run time: 1 hour, 4 minutes
In this episode, Genevieve Lakier and Eugene Volokh join to discuss the recent suspension of Jimmy Kimmel by ABC and the broader history and constitutionality of jawboning, the practice of government officials pressuring private actors to stifle speech. Listen now
| |
Expansive Temperance with Benjamin Franklin
Run time: 37 minutes
In his autobiography at the age of 79, Benjamin Franklin attributed the happiness of his long life to his “evenness of temper,” rather than to his public accomplishments. Jeffrey Rosen speaks with Franklin scholar Stacy Schiff about why he put temperance first on his list of virtues. Listen now
Humility with John and Abigail Adams
Run time: 33 minutes
John and Abigail Adams formed a partnership fueled by intellectual curiosity, a desire to be the best versions of themselves and many, many letters. Jeffrey Rosen speaks with political historian Lindsay Chervinsky and Ken Burns on how John and Abigail supported each other through the birth of the United States. Listen now
| |
How the Supreme Court ruled on press censorship cases after World War I
by Scott Bomboy | Read time: 5 minutes
“In a three-part series, Constitution Daily looks at a series of landmark cases that have defined First Amendment rights and free speech for the press. In part two, we review how controversies from the World War I era and its aftermath shaped laws that eventually expanded free speech. …” Read more
A look at early landmark free press censorship cases
by Scott Bomboy | Read time: 5 minutes
“In the first part of a three-part series, Constitution Daily looks at a series of landmark cases that have defined free speech rights in the press and popular media, from the Colonial era until today. In part one, we look at controversies from the founding until the Civil War’s end. …” Read more
| | Our 2024 Annual Report is now available. Look back with us on highlights from a memorable milestone year, and preview what’s ahead for the Center as we prepare for America’s 250th birthday. Read the report | | |
Support the Center
Your generous support enables the National Constitution Center to thrive as America’s leading platform for nonpartisan constitutional education and civil dialogue.
| |
Update your email preferences using the Update Profile link below to subscribe to other National Constitution Center newsletters and manage how often you hear from us. | | | | |
