The Public Debt Clause and the Debt Ceiling

Run time: 48 minutes

Eric Foner and Gerard Magliocca discuss why the Public Debt Clause of the 14th Amendment was written, how it’s been interpreted by the Supreme Court, and how things might play out today if it were invoked by President Biden. Listen now

Affirmative Action and the 14th Amendment

Run time: 55 minutes

Jin Hee Lee and Ilan Wurman address how the history and original meaning of the 14th Amendment informs the debate about whether the Constitution is colorblind. Listen now

We the People and Live at the National Constitution Center are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more 

February 2, 1848: The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo is Signed

by NCC Staff | Read time: 3 minutes

“On February 2, 1848, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed in Mexico without President James K. Polk’s knowledge. The United States acquired about 55 percent of Mexico’s territory for $15 million. ...” Read more

Who Were the First Six Supreme Court Justices?

by NCC Staff | Read time: 4 minutes

“It was on February 1, 1790, that the United States Supreme Court opened for business. The court back then bared little resemblance to the current one, but it certainly had some interesting characters. ...” Read more

The Washington Post: How ideological foes united on ideas for amending the Constitution

Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, and Sal Khan, founder and CEO of Khan Academy, co-write how the Center's Constitution Drafting Project shows us there is more that unites Americans about the Constitution than not. Read more

The 14th Amendment’s Public Debt Clause

“The validity of the public debt of the United States, authorized by law, including debts incurred for payment of pensions and bounties for services in suppressing insurrection or rebellion, shall not be questioned. But neither the United States nor any State shall assume or pay any debt or obligation incurred in aid of insurrection or rebellion against the United States, or any claim for the loss or emancipation of any slave; but all such debts, obligations and claims shall be held illegal and void.”

Read interpretations on the Interactive Constitution

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