National Constitution Center

Constitutional Government in the United States (1908) | Constitution Center National Constitution Center Historic Documents Library record for Constitutional Government in the United States (1908)

#OnThisDay in 1924, Woodrow Wilson dies. Wilson was one of the country’s leading #constitutional scholars before entering politics and being elected president of the United States.

Read an excerpt of his writings: https://ow.ly/aaNz50Y6zZa

YouTube video by National Constitution Center The Declaration of Independence and the Push for Racial Equality

It was an honor to chat with Lucas Morel about the Declaration of Independence and the Push for Racial Equality. Grateful for the invitation from the National Constitution Center. Have a listen.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ocwb...

15th Amendment | Constitution Center The 15th Amendment banned racial discrimination in voting. In 1869, Congress debated several drafts—some of which provided more extensive protections. Even as each house passed broader proposals, Congress settled on language that only focused on voter discrimination based on race. The 15th Amendment…

#OnThisDay in 1870, the 15th Amendment is ratified, prohibiting racial discrimination in voting.

Explore the early drafts and debates that led to the passage and ratification of this amendment: https://ow.ly/XZK450Y6A13

On #AmericasTownHall, author Jesse Wegman explains his desire to tell James Wilson’s role in the founding through his new book, “The Lost Founder: James Wilson and the Forgotten Fight for a People’s Constitution.”

Watch the full program: https://ow.ly/6zff50Y0IzI

On this day, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo is signed | Constitution Center 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.

#OnThisDay in 1848, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo is signed, and the United States acquires 55% of Mexico’s territory for $15 million.

Learn more on #ConstitutionDaily: https://ow.ly/eoqx50Y6zVM

In honor of #BlackHistoryMonth, author David Greenberg discusses the upbringing of civil rights activist and congressman John Lewis.

Watch the full #AmericasTownHall: https://ow.ly/3jNX50Y6zX3

The National Constitution Center is open, 10 a.m.–5 p.m., all weekend. Admission is free on Presidents Day, Monday, February 16, thanks to the generous support of Citizen Travelers, the nonpartisan civic engagement initiative of
Travelers

Visit #PresidentsDay weekend and be the first to explore our new gallery #AmericasFounding, a journey from the colonies’ growing tensions with Great Britain through the drafting, ratification, and adoption of the Constitution.

Plan your visit: https://ow.ly/XSjz50Y7HHO

Author Jesse Wegman of Brennan Center talks about James Wilson’s central role at the Constitutional Convention and the unique nature of his ideas.

Watch the full program: https://ow.ly/sLYL50Y0P19

Who were the first six Supreme Court justices? | Constitution Center It was on this day in 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.

#OnThisDay in 1790, #SCOTUS opens for business. Back then the Court bore little resemblance to the current one, but it certainly had some interesting characters.

Read more on #ConstitutionDaily: https://ow.ly/Q52g50Y6zJN

Celebrate the achievements and rich heritage of Black Americans and the impact their stories have had on constitutional history National Constitution Center this #BlackHistoryMonth!

View a schedule of programs and activities: https://ow.ly/F7rn50Y6zNr

Celebrate the 250th anniversary of Thomas Paine’s famous pamphlet, #CommonSense.

Join Gary Berton and Jack Kelly for an #AmericasTownHall conversation on the revolutionary life, ideas, and legacy of Thomas Paine.

Register: https://ow.ly/wuNY50Y4QAn

#OnThisDay in 1734, Robert Morris, a signer of the Declaration and the Constitution, is born.

In 1775, he was likely the richest man in America.

Learn more about the man considered to be the financier of the Revolution: https://ow.ly/v1Ir50XSEPy

10 facts about young Franklin D. Roosevelt | Constitution Center 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.

#OnThisDay in 1882, Franklin D. Roosevelt—one of the most consequential presidents in U.S. history and the only person to run for, and win, the presidency four times—is born.

Read #ConstitutionDaily for 10 interesting facts about FDR before he was elected: https://ow.ly/jgkC50XSEOg

Judge Jeffrey S. Sutton explains that federalism is a singular question in American history with a debate that never goes away.

Read now: https://ow.ly/iNO650XSEMT

This #BlackHistoryMonth, join Lucas Morel and Melvin Rogers as they discuss how African American leaders and citizens have invoked the ideas and principles of the Declaration of Independence throughout history to push for a freer and more equal America.

Register: https://ow.ly/ESc350Y0Ufb

On this day: The anniversary of Brandeis’ Supreme Court nomination | Constitution Center On January 28, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson nominated attorney Louis Brandeis to the Supreme Court. Although Brandeis is a mostly revered figure today, his battle to get a seat at the Court was ugly and hard-fought

#OnThisDay in 1916, President Woodrow Wilson nominates the successful Boston attorney Louis Brandeis to #SCOTUS.

Read #ConstitutionDaily to learn more about Brandeis: https://ow.ly/SzFF50XSEMp

On #AmericasTownHall, legal scholar William Ewald speaks about the “collaborative nature” of writing the #USConstitution.

Watch the full program: https://ow.ly/cAL750Y0ICN

Statement on the Supreme Court’s Verdict Upholding the Injunction (1895) | Constitution Center National Constitution Center Historic Documents Library record for Statement on the Supreme Court’s Verdict Upholding the Injunction (1895)

#OnThisDay in 1919, #SCOTUS holds oral arguments in Debs v. United States. Socialist politician Eugene V. Debs was indicted for violating the #EspionageAct. He appealed his conviction, citing the #FirstAmendment right to free speech, but his conviction was upheld.

https://ow.ly/HibG50XSELw

Legal scholar William Ewald suggests reasons as to why James Wilson disappeared from the historical narrative.

Watch #AmericasTownHall: https://ow.ly/qCBo50Y0Ixs

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

Recent remarks by President Trump regarding Greenland have revived longstanding constitutional questions about the United States’ power to annex territories.

#ConstitutionDaily explores the history of annexation: https://ow.ly/K9ua50Y42Bu

Richard Norton Smith: The Life of Nelson Rockefeller Premier historian Richard Norton Smith joins the National Constitution Center to unveil his long-anticipated biography on American icon Nelson Rockefeller.No...

#OnThisDay in 1979, Vice President Nelson Rockefeller dies.

Hear historian Richard Norton Smith discuss the legacy of this politician’s unique position as a liberal Republican in mid-century America: https://ow.ly/bTA150XSEKo

Why read the founding documents? Supreme Court Justice Neil M. Gorsuch and Justice Stephen G. Breyer (Ret.) talk about how the founding documents reflect the words we try to live by today.

Watch now: https://ow.ly/knUb50XSEJo

Due to inclement weather, the National Constitution Center will be closed to the public tomorrow, January 25, 2025.

Who was James Wilson?

On #AmericasTownHall, Jesse Wegman of Brennan Center explores the background of the influential yet often forgotten founder.

Watch the full program: https://ow.ly/y4Em50Y0ItB

“Selected Excerpts” (1620) | Constitution Center National Constitution Center Historic Documents Library record for “Selected Excerpts” (1620)

#OnThisDay in 1561, Francis Bacon is born. His writings influenced America’s founding generation.

https://ow.ly/jslZ50XSCQG

Earlier this month #SCOTUS heard oral arguments concerning the constitutional rights of transgender students to compete in sports competitions.

#ConstitutionDaily unpacks the impact this could have on existing laws: https://ow.ly/LYAO50Y1kKF

Signs being held up during a protest related to the issue of abortion.

#OnThisDay in 1973, #SCOTUS issues a decision that continues to divide the nation today: Roe v. Wade. In 2022, #SCOTUS issued its opinion in the Dobbs v. Jackson case, overturning the precedent set by Roe.

https://ow.ly/XzGB50XSCY1

The Consent of the Governed | Constitution Center Gordon S. Wood reviews why the Declaration of Independence’s assertion that governments derive their just powers from “the consent of the governed” was one of the most important issues in the revolutionary era.

Why was the Declaration of Independence’s assertion that governments derive their just powers from “the consent of the governed” one of the most important issues in the revolutionary era?

Read now: https://ow.ly/B3vR50XSCPJ

#OnThisDay in 1732, Richard Henry Lee, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, is born. Lee presented the motion in the Second Continental Congress for independence, which passed on July 2, 1776.

Explore his story: https://ow.ly/F2as50XSCOt