Toward the end of a landmark term, the Supreme Court released its opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, overruling Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey, which held that women have the constitutional right to seek pre-viability abortions. Listen to Part 4 of our We the People podcast series to unpack the constitutional reasoning of the decision and the implications for the future. Listen now | |
Independence Week Celebration
Now – July 4, 2022
Join the National Constitution Center for an array of patriotic festivities surrounding Independence Day, exploring the history of the Declaration of Independence and how the definition of “We the People” has expanded since Thomas Jefferson penned the famous words “…all men are created equal…” in 1776. Learn more
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Independence Day
Celebrate the anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence at the National Constitution Center. In recognition of Independence Day, the museum is open outside of normal operating hours, and admission to the Center is FREE on July 4, 2022.
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The Summer of Red, White, and YOU Continues!
Through a combination of in-person and online experiences, you can travel back in time to the writing of the Constitution, meet freedom fighters who ensured the rights in the Constitution were for all, and explore what YOU can do with your freedoms to build a more perfect union.
We the People Week
July 5 – July 10
So, we’ve declared our independence. Now what? Learn how we get from “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” to forming “a more perfect Union.” Learn more
First Amendment Week
July 11 – July 17
What are the five freedoms protected by the First Amendment and why did the Founding generation include them in the Bill of Rights? Learn more
Women and the Constitution Week
July 18 – July 24
Celebrate the anniversary of the Seneca Falls Convention where women gathered to insist that “all men and women are created equal.” Learn more
Battles for Equality Week
July 25 – July 31
How has our understanding of equality expanded over time? Learn more
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Debate at America's Town Hall
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Restoring the Guardrails of Democracy
Wednesday, July 6 | 7 p.m. ET
As January 6 hearings proceed on Capitol Hill, join the National Constitution Center for the launch of the Restoring the Guardrails of Democracy team reports. The project brings together three teams of leading experts— libertarian, progressive, and conservative—to identify institutional, legal, and technological reforms that might address current threats to American democracy. Join team leaders Edward B. Foley, Sarah Isgur, and Clark Neily as they discuss their proposals. Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, moderates.
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This program is presented as part of the National Constitution Center’s Restoring the Guardrails of Democracy initiative and made possible with support from Mike and Jackie Bezos. | |
2022 Annual Supreme Court Review
Tuesday, July 12 | Noon ET
The National Constitution Center and ADL present an America's Town Hall featuring distinguished legal experts Erwin Chemerinsky, Gregory G. Garre, Amy Howe, and Frederick M. Lawrence discussing the important cases of the term including voting rights, church-state separation, reproductive rights, and immigration. They will also discuss the impact of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s confirmation to the Court and what to expect next term. Dahlia Lithwick of Slate moderates.
ADL is seeking accreditation for 1.5 CLE credits for this program at no cost to attendees. If you would like credit for this program, please sign up when registering.
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This program is presented in partnership with ADL. | |
Oligarchies, Monopolies, and the Constitution
Monday, July 18 | Noon ET
Is the Constitution “anti-oligarchy”? What does it say about monopolies and antitrust? Legal experts Joseph Fishkin and William E. Forbath, co-authors of The Anti-Oligarchy Constitution, join law professor Katharine Jackson of the University of Dayton School of Law, and Adam White of the American Enterprise Institute, for a conversation moderated by Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center.
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Learn About the Constitution | |
Finding the Founders Scholar Talks
The National Constitution Center is partnering with neighboring sites throughout Historic Philadelphia for our Finding the Founders scholarly series. Join fascinating conversations with scholars, who will share their insights on equality and freedom through the lens of the American Revolution. The program will provide an expanded understanding of Independence Day—one that sees the holiday as both a celebration and an acknowledgment of America’s ongoing struggle to achieve the ideals expressed in the nation’s founding documents.
Scholar Talks at the Center:
Harriet Scott and the Struggle for Freedom’s Birthright Featuring Matthew Pinsker
Friday, July 1 | Noon ET
Register to watch online
“What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” Featuring dr. tonya thames-taylor
Saturday, July 2 | Noon ET
Register to watch online
To learn more and to see a full list of Scholar Talks, check out our website.
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Juneteenth: Tracing the Origins and Significance
America's Town Hall | Run time: 57 minutes
William B. Allen and Hasan Kwame Jeffries explore the history and meaning of Juneteenth, its connection to July 4 and the Declaration of Independence, and more. Watch now
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Social Media and Public Health: A Conversation Featuring State Attorneys General
America's Town Hall | Run time: 57 minutes
Attorneys General Doug Peterson of Nebraska and Phil Weiser of Colorado explore the role of state attorneys general, state law, and state police powers under the Constitution. Watch now
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Vouchers, Prayers, and Religion in American Schools
We the People podcast | Run time: 52 minutes
Michael Moreland and Erwin Chemerinsky discuss the outcomes of Carson v. Makin and Kennedy v. Bremerton and what it means for the First Amendment and religious liberty. Listen now
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The Dobbs v. Jackson Case – Part 4
We the People podcast | Run time: 58 minutes
Professors Mary Ziegler and O. Carter Snead join once again to unpack the constitutional reasoning in the majority opinion and the dissent, and the implications for the future of other unenumerated rights in America. Listen now
What the Supreme Court’s Opinion in NYSRPA v. Bruen Means for the Second Amendment
We the People podcast | Run time: 56 minutes
Adam Winkler and Clark Neily discuss the recently decided New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen case and what it means for gun rights, gun control measures, and future reforms and legislation surrounding guns. Listen now
The History of LGBTQ Rights in America
We the People podcast | Run time: 1 hour and 1 minute
James Kirchick and Dale Carpenter discuss LGBTQ rights and advocacy throughout American history—from key stories and figures to key court cases interpreting the scope of LGBTQ rights under the Constitution. Listen now
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With Abortion and Guns, the Supreme Court Ties the Hands of Federal Courts
Constitution Daily blog | Read time: 5 minutes
"After the U.S. Supreme Court’s conservative majority struck down New York’s concealed carry gun law and revoked women’s right to abortion last week, what role is left for federal courts in the Second Amendment and abortion arenas in the future?..." Read more
A Short List of Overturned Supreme Court Landmark Decisions
Constitution Daily blog | Read time: 4 minutes
"With speculation growing about the Supreme Court overruling Roe v. Wade, a look back at overturned landmark cases shows the rarity of such actions. ..." Read more
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