National Constitution Center

On this day, an early victory for the free press On August 4, 1735, a jury acquitted publisher John Peter Zenger of libel charges against New York’s colonial governor, in an early landmark moment for the free press and the American legal system.

#OnThisDay in 1735, a jury acquits publisher John Peter Zenger of libel charges against New York’s colonial governor in an early landmark moment for the free press and the American legal system.

ow.ly/l1Bu50WxZbt

""

""

Experience the performance that #SCOTUS Justice Sandra Day O’Connor called “the best 17-minute civics lesson in the country.” See #FreedomRising, included with the price of admission.

Plan your visit: ow.ly/AkGY50Wy6Rl

On this day, the Declaration of Independence is officially signed August 2, 1776 is one of the most important but least celebrated days in American history, when 56 members of the Second Continental Congress started signing the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia.

#OnThisDay in 1776, 56 members of the Second Continental Congress start signing the #DeclarationofIndependence in Philadelphia.

Learn more with #ConstitutionDaily: ow.ly/GQTI50WxYIl

The Past, Present, and Future of Abortion in America Podcast for The Past, Present, and Future of Abortion in America from the National Constitution Center

Hear Mary Ziegler and Stephen Gilles explore the history and goals of the anti-abortion movement in the United States.

Listen to #WeThePeoplePodcast: ow.ly/gUws50WyGxE

Generations later, President Warren Harding’s sudden death recalled On the evening of August 2, 1923, President Warren Harding died in a San Francisco hotel room. Beyond that, the details of the president’s death remained murky for decades amidst rumors of scandal or even worse.

In August 1923, President Warren Harding died in a San Francisco hotel room. Beyond that, the details of the president’s death remained murky for decades.

Read #ConstitutionDaily for more: ow.ly/FiZs50WxYFO

Andrew Johnson: The most-criticized president ever? Today marks the anniversary of the passing of Andrew Johnson, perhaps the most-criticized president in American history.

#OnThisDay in 1875, President Andrew Johnson—the 17th president—dies from a stroke.

Read #ConstitutionDaily to learn why Johnson may be the most-criticized president ever: ow.ly/Q0O450WuQ1e

#OnThisDay in 1805, French historian Alexis de Tocqueville is born in Paris. He is most well-known for authoring “Democracy in America.”

Learn more about his writings with #AmericasTownHall: ow.ly/Thkt50WrAFh

woman looking at a dress in a glass case

#OnThisDay in 1929, Jackie Kennedy is born in Southampton, N.Y. Check out this throwback photo of former First Lady Laura Bush viewing Jackie’s dress when it was on display at the National Constitution Center back in October 2007.

Silas Deane: Founding Father, spy, and Loyalist? Today marks the anniversary of the odd, tragic story of Silas Deane, a Founding Father who was later banned from America and died under mysterious circumstances.

Today marks the anniversary of the tragic story of Silas Deane, a Founding Father who was later banned from America and died under mysterious circumstances.
Learn more on #ConstitutionDaily: ow.ly/UTAE50WrAEm

Happy birthday to the Department of State On July 27, 1789, Congress created the State Department, which became an important part of the Executive Branch established under the new Constitution.

#OnThisDay in 1787, Congress creates the State Department, which became an important part of the executive branch established under the new #Constitution.

Learn more on #ConstitutionDaily:
ow.ly/qViL50WrACT

Credit: National Constitution Center Collection, Gift of Yoshiko Dart

A wheelchair in a glass case

#OnThisDay in 1990, President George H.W. Bush signs the #AmericansWithDisabilitiesAct into law. Disability-rights advocate Justin Dart used this wheelchair at the signing of the legislation. He declared it “a landmark commandment of fundamental human morality.”

#OnThisDay in 1885, 18th President and Civil War general Ulysses S. Grant dies.

Read #ConstitutionDaily to learn 10 fascinating facts about both Grant and his Confederate counterpart, Robert E. Lee: ow.ly/nTgE50WjX5R

Participants got a sneak peak of a new documentary series by Ken Burns, took trips to historic sites across Old City, and discussed how to bring their experiences back to the classroom.

This week the National Constitution Center and PBS LearningMedia hosted educators from around the country for an #NCCed institute focused on the principles of the American Revolution.

Looking back: The Supreme Court decision that ended Nixon’s presidency It was on this day in 1974 that the U.S. Supreme Court dealt a fatal blow to President Richard Nixon’s presidency, in a decision that led to the release of the Watergate tapes.

#OnThisDay in 1974, #SOCTUS decides to release the Watergate tapes, a fatal blow to Richard Nixon’s presidency. #ConstitutionDaily

ow.ly/ILjS50WjX2K

#OnThisDay in 1937, the United States Senate rejects a proposal by President Franklin Roosevelt to enlarge the Supreme Court.

Learn more about FDR’s impact on #SCOTUS on #AmericasTownHall: ow.ly/unc350WjX1B

Sign saying “Philadelphia: the Revolutionary City”. Statute of Ben Franklin in the background

Photo of a cheesesteak

Flags of every state and territory in the Constitution Center

Photo of me and the Philly Phanatic

🔑🪁 ⚡️How to have Phun in Fluffya:
✅ Find a Phanatic
✅ Photo with Franklin
✅ Fly your flag
✅ Food with friends
@constitutionctr.bsky.social

10 facts about the most famous scene in legal history The legendary confrontation between William Jennings Bryan and Clarence Darrow in the Scopes Monkey Trial took place on a hot Monday afternoon on July 20, 1925. But the real clash of the cultural titans didn’t exactly match what was later popularized in movies and theater.

#OnThisDay in 1925, the legendary confrontation between William Jennings Bryan and Clarence Darrow takes place in the Scopes Monkey Trial. But the real clash of these cultural titans didn’t exactly match what was later popularized in movies.

ow.ly/RSqf50WjWVR

#OnThisDay in 1848, the first formal women’s rights convention occurs in Seneca Falls, N.Y. This rare printing of the Declaration of Sentiments includes the minutes from the convention. See it in our exhibit #HowWomenWonTheVote.

Credit: Anonymous Collection

On this day, Truman, Congress decide current line of presidential succession On this day in 1947, Congress changed the order of who can succeed the President and Vice President in office, more closely reflecting the wishes of the Founding Fathers.

#OnThisDay in 1947, Congress changes the order of who can succeed the president and vice president in office to more closely reflect the ideas of the founding generation. #ConstitutionDaily

ow.ly/PYtN50WjWGK

A birthday tribute to the Founding Father of gerrymandering It’s the birthday of a Founding Father whose name you know today as part of a controversial political term.

#OnThisDay in 1744, Elbridge Gerry, an American Revolutionary leader, Declaration of Independence signer, Constitutional Convention delegate, and vice president, is born.

Learn about Gerry’s legacy: ow.ly/NqRn50WjWFi

How Philadelphia lost the nation’s capital to Washington It’s a sad day for some historically minded Philadelphians: It's the anniversary of the congressional act that moved the nation’s capital from their city to Washington, D.C.

#OnThisDay in 1790, the Residence Act puts the nation’s capital in current-day Washington, D.C., as part of a plan to appease pro-slavery states who feared a Northern capital as being too sympathetic to abolitionists.

ow.ly/ZOSl50WjWAS

Populist Party Platform (1892) National Constitution Center Historic Documents Library record for Populist Party Platform (1892)

#OnThisDay in 1890, the Populist Party—an enormously influential third party—holds their first nomination convention in Nebraska.

Read the party’s 1892 platform in our #FoundersLibrary: ow.ly/HnNq50WjWA2

Gerald Ford’s unique role in American history Today is the birthday of the late former President, Gerald R. Ford, who went from being a college football star to the White House under the most unusual circumstances.

#OnThisDay in 1913, former President Gerald Ford is born in Omaha, Neb. Learn about the nation’s 38th president and the unusual way he went from a college football star 🏈 to the White House 🦅.

ow.ly/tMcW50WjWyO

#OnThisDay in 2013, Patrisse Cullors creates the hashtag #BlackLivesMatter. In this #AmericasTownHall, scholars explore the history of Black Lives Matter and its parallels with past civil rights movements: ow.ly/Src750WjWy3

How a hurricane brought Alexander Hamilton to America How different would America have been without a hurricane that hit St. Croix in late August 1772? Without it, Alexander Hamilton may never have never shaped this country’s history.

#OnThisDay in 1804, Alexander Hamilton dies from wounds sustained during a duel with Aaron Burr.

Read #ConstitutionDaily to learn how a hurricane originally brought Alexander Hamilton to America: ow.ly/5Vwh50WjWpK

The Burr vs. Hamilton duel happened on this day Today marks the anniversary of the deadly duel between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr. What caused the sitting vice president to duel a Founding Father on the cliffs overlooking New York City?

Today is the anniversary of the deadly duel between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr. What caused the sitting vice president to shoot and kill a Founding Father on the cliffs overlooking New York City? #ConstitutionDaily

ow.ly/u0JF50WjWnu

Commentaries on the Laws of England (1765-69) National Constitution Center Historic Documents Library record for Commentaries on the Laws of England (1765-69)

#OnThisDay in 1723, Sir William Blackstone is born. America’s founding generation often cited his work.

Read more in the #FoundersLibrary: ow.ly/kh3c50Wj6iE

10 Supreme Court cases about the 14th Amendment On the anniversary of the 14th Amendment's ratification, Constitution Daily looks at 10 historic Supreme Court cases about due process and equal protection under the law.

#OnThisDay in 1868, Louisiana and South Carolina vote to ratify the 14th Amendment after they had rejected it a year earlier.

Read about 10 famous #SCOTUS decisions that show the progression of the amendment on #ConstitutionDaily: ow.ly/KTpT50Wj6cJ