The Meaning of Equality in America

Wednesday, December 15 | 12 p.m. ET

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Where did the idea that “all men are created equal” come from, and what did those words mean when Thomas Jefferson wrote them in the Declaration of Independence? What has equality meant in America over time—and what does it mean today? William Allen, emeritus professor of political philosophy and emeritus dean at James Madison College at Michigan State University; Erika Bachiochi, fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center; Ellen Carol DuBois, distinguished research professor at UCLA; and Jack Rakove, professor of history and political science at Stanford University, join to explore the idea of equality throughout American history. Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, moderates.

This program is made possible through the generous support of Citizens.

Today, the National Constitution Center honors the anniversary of the ratification of the Bill of Rights on-site and online. See a full list of Bill of Rights Day resources and programs here.

Slavery in America: The Constitution to Reconstruction

Friday, December 17 | 1 p.m. ET

Free Online

Clint Smith, author of How the Word Is Passed: A Reckoning With the History of Slavery Across America, joins Center President and CEO Jeffrey Rosen. TTThe conversation explores slavery in America from the Constitution to Reconstruction; the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments; and the Reconstruction founders’ vision of a “Second Founding” for our nation.

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