A brief history of the annexation of foreign territories by the United States

by Scott Bomboy | Read time: 5 minutes

“President Donald Trump’s recent talk of potentially acquiring Greenland has sparked a new debate about questions that pre-date the Constitution: the ability of the United States to annex territories. ... ” Read more

January 30, 1882: Franklin D. Roosevelt is born

by NCC Staff | Read time: 2 minutes

“Today is the birthday of the only person to run for, and win, the presidency four times: Franklin D. Roosevelt. Here’s a list of 10 facts about FDR— before he was elected President in 1932. ... ” Read more

Michael Lewis on Who Is Government?

Run time: 57 minutes

In this Best of 2025-episode, best-selling author Michael Lewis discusses his 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, CEO Emeritus of the National Constitution Center, moderates. Listen now

We the People is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more

Thomas Paine and the 250th Anniversary of Common Sense

Monday, February 9 | Noon ET

Gary Berton, the president of The Thomas Paine Historical Association, joins award-winning historian Jack Kelly, author of Tom Paine’s War: The Words That Rallied a Nation and the Founder of Our Time, to discuss the revolutionary life, ideas, and legacy of Thomas Paine in celebration of the 250th anniversary of his famous pamphlet, Common Sense. Julie Silverbrook, vice president of civic education of the National Constitution Center, moderates. Learn more

Article IV, Section 3

New States may be admitted by the Congress into this Union; but no new State shall be formed or erected within the Jurisdiction of any other State; nor any State be formed by the Junction of two or more States, or Parts of States, without the Consent of the Legislatures of the States concerned as well as of the Congress.

The Congress shall have Power to dispose of and make all needful Rules and Regulations respecting the Territory or other Property belonging to the United States; and nothing in this Constitution shall be so construed as to Prejudice any Claims of the United States, or of any particular State.

Read interpretations in the Interactive Constitution

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