National Constitution Center

06/04/2026

Renewed debate about expanding the has revived long standing constitutional questions about the separation of powers.

presents a brief history of changes to the number of justices seated at the Court: https://ow.ly/MzG150Z7xcY

06/04/2026

in 1928, issues a decision in the landmark case of Olmstead v. United States, one of the first cases where the Court interpreted the scope of the as applied to wiretapping conversations without a warrant.

https://ow.ly/of3F50Z5arv

06/04/2026

in 1919, Congress passes the 19th Amendment.

In our exhibit, , see this commemorative “Jailed for Freedom” pin owned by a suffragist who was arrested for picketing the White House.

Credit: National Constitution Center Collection, Courtesy of Bernadette Andrews and Kim Andrews Dunn, Kate Boeckh’s great-granddaughter and great-great-granddaughter

https://ow.ly/92Jz50Z77Rj

06/04/2026

🎙️ This week on a special episode of , U.S. Supreme Court Justice Neil M. Gorsuch and his co-author and former law clerk Janie Nitze join Julie Silverbrook to discuss their new children’s book, "Heroes of 1776: The Story of the Declaration of Independence." They also weigh in on how stories can help children connect with the founding era, why it matters to introduce young learners to both famous and lesser-known figures from our nation's past, and how families can use America's 250th anniversary as an opportunity to deepen civic curiosity, strengthen historical understanding, and help prepare the next generation for the responsibilities of citizenship and self-government.

🎧 Listen to to learn more: ow.ly/q5JY50Z7x12

06/03/2026

in 1916, the National Guard officially gets its name after Congress passes an important act to strengthen our military.

Read for more: https://ow.ly/ptgi50Z5alV

06/03/2026

Why did the founders include the Pardon Clause in Article II of the ?

Sai Prakash of University of Virginia School of Law explains why the founders vested this power in the executive branch.

Watch the full : https://ow.ly/TOcp50YV63N

06/02/2026

Learning together as a family is an important part of every young American’s civic journey.

This weekend, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Neil M. Gorsuch, honorary co-chair of the National Constitution Center, and his co-author and former law clerk Janie Nitze brought their new children’s book, “Heroes of 1776: The Story of the Declaration of Independence” to the Center. Families and learners of all ages joined them for a special Civic Story Hour program exploring the human stories behind the Declaration of Independence.

06/02/2026

in 1774, British Parliament enacts a second Quartering Act. Visit our new exhibit, , to learn how such measures pushed the colonists toward declaring independence.

Plan your visit: https://ow.ly/7IFs50Z5kQR

06/02/2026

Celebrate with a visit to National Constitution Center! Explore how members of the LGBTQ+ community in the United States have fought for their inclusion by exercising their rights and petitioning the courts throughout history.

Find events at the Center: https://ow.ly/sN3z50Z5amE

06/02/2026

in 1774, British Parliament enacts a second Quartering Act. Visit our new exhibit, , to learn how such measures pushed the colonists toward declaring independence.

Plan your visit: https://ow.ly/k8Rg50Z69tg

06/01/2026

As the nation marks its 250th anniversary, the National Constitution Center convenes three of the country’s leading scholars for a timely and reflective conversation on the founding principles that continue to shape American constitutional democracy.

David Blight, Robert P. George, and Annette Gordon-Reed will explore the enduring ideas at the core of the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution—including equality, liberty, the pursuit of happiness, and government by consent—and examine how those principles have been debated, interpreted, and contested over time. Moderated by Thomas Donnelly, lead scholar at the National Constitution Center, this conversation invites audiences to engage deeply with the ideas that launched a nation, and to consider how our shared constitutional story continues to unfold.

This program will take place on Monday, June 8 at 6:30 pm ET.

Register to attend in-person or online: https://ow.ly/Cwbn50Z6p8m

06/01/2026

Sarah Isgur explains the history of Supreme Court leaks and shares her view on transparency in the government.

Watch to hear more: https://ow.ly/BXeo50YRLuQ

06/01/2026

in 1916, the Senate votes to confirm Louis D. Brandeis to , ending a hard-fought fight over his nomination. Brandeis is a mostly revered figure now, but his nomination included contested political & religious factors.

It was on this day in 1916 that the Senate voted to confirm attorney Louis Brandeis to the Supreme Court, ending an ugly and hard-fought fight over his nomination.

05/30/2026

is currently considering a petition to reconsider one of its most important rulings limiting media outlets from lawsuits filed by public officials or figures.

unpacks : https://ow.ly/M9RC50Z5Scc

05/30/2026

The deadly duel between Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton is arguably the most famous in American history, but President Andrew Jackson was also a frequent dueler among prominent politicians, and in 1806, he nearly dies in a duel.

Read the story on :

On this day in 1806, future President Andrew Jackson nearly died in a duel when he killed his opponent, a fellow plantation owner.

05/29/2026

The separation of powers, federalism, and the rule of law are critical elements of American constitutional democracy. Join Judge Bernice Donald, formerly of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee and U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit; Judge Robert Kugler, formerly of the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey and U.S. Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court; and Judge Thomas Griffith, formerly of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, for a conversation to explore the current state of these fundamental constitutional principles. Julie Silverbrook, the chief content and learning officer at the National Constitution Center, moderates.

Register to attend in-person or online: https://ow.ly/i0wc50Z5J8y

05/29/2026

On , Sarah Isgur talks about the importance of humanizing Justices and their desire to uphold the rule of law.

Watch the full discussion: https://ow.ly/IYQl50YRkuJ

05/29/2026

in 1736, Patrick Henry is born. His famous speech on the rights of the colonists before the Virginia Assembly became the battle cry of the American Revolution:

“Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace – but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!”

05/28/2026

This week on , Harvard professor David Armitage joins Julie Silverbrook to discuss his essay “The Declaration’s Influence Around the World,” which examines the Declaration’s international and domestic legacies.

Listen now:

Podcast for David Armitage on the Declaration’s Influence Around the World from the National Constitution Center

05/28/2026

in 1861, Supreme Court Chief Justice Roger Taney directly challenges President Abraham Lincoln’s wartime suspension of the great writ of habeas corpus, in a national constitutional showdown.

Learn more on :

On May 28, 1861, Supreme Court Chief Justice Roger Taney directly challenged President Abraham Lincoln’s wartime suspension of the great writ of...

05/27/2026

Explore America’s story by playing NCC’s popular new learning experience, Civic Quest, live! 📜 Through live reenactors, hands-on missions, and interactive environments, kids and caregivers will crack codes, meet key historical figures, and discover how big ideas and teamwork helped shape America.

By learning and exploring together, families help to build habits that foster curiosity, confidence, and a sense of responsibility that supports lifelong civic learning and engagement to help sustain our constitutional democracy.

🗓️ WHEN: Saturday, June 13, from 11 a.m.- 3 p.m.
📍 WHERE: The National Constitution Center
🎟️ Admission is FREE.

Fifteen participating families on site will be selected to receive a Civic Quest game box to take home, extending the experience beyond their visit to the Center and encouraging continued curiosity, collaboration, and civic discovery together.

Advanced tickets are recommended. Reserve your spot: https://ow.ly/YE4B50Z4Pqe

05/27/2026

Rosemarie Zagarri George Mason University describes the greater emphasis placed on education and self-government for women and non-voting men following the American Revolution.

Watch : https://ow.ly/gOJV50YyjW5

05/26/2026

Last week, the American Alliance of Museums (AAM) brought together representatives from organizations across the nation who are united by a shared purpose: helping people connect more deeply to history, to culture, to one another, and to the broader story we all share.

As we mark the 250th anniversary of the United States, it is fitting for museum professionals from across the nation met here in Philadelphia. This is a city where we understand that we must not simply commemorate the nation’s founding but also think seriously about what it will take to strengthen and sustain the American experiment for generations to come.

Our Interim CEO & President Vince Stango gave welcome remarks and engaged in a conversation on the industry’s future, sitting on a panel with local partners.

Sarah Winski, our Senior Director of Exhibits, joined a panel on the question: “How do we design for the United States’ 250th anniversary so that it’s remembered decades later?”

Other National Constitution Center team members attended sessions covering a wide array of industry-relevant topics including visitor engagement, digital media, inclusive design, exhibit development, intergenerational learning, and more. They engaged with industry colleagues right here in the city where the National Constitution Center is located.

This year, for the first time, the conference ended with , an afternoon of festivities held across museums in Philadelphia’s Old City neighborhood. Museum professionals, out-of-town visitors, and locals all joined together to participate. At the Center, suffragists greeted guests, local mummers performed a concert, and visitors enjoyed our galleries and interactive activities.

Curious about the work of the Center?
Check out this video produced in collaboration with AAM: https://ow.ly/U5MK50Z4ekh

05/25/2026

in 1787, the in Philadelphia starts in earnest and the first votes are taken in what is now called Independence Hall.

The delegates who gathered in Philadelphia on May 25, 1787, knew they were there for an important reason – the system of federal and state government under the Articles of

But it’s doubtful that even the most farsighted of delegates, including James Madison and Alexander Hamilton, could have predicted how long the Constitution would last and how far-reaching it would become as a global blueprint for representative democratic government.

The first day began when a quorum of seven state delegations was reached. (The original start date for the convention was May 14, but travel and other problems delayed the Convention’s start.)

There were actually delegates from nine states in the room, but Massachusetts and Georgia only had one delegate each and couldn’t form official delegations.

In addition to establishing a quorum, three other measures were taken. First, George Washington was picked to preside over the Convention.

Then, William Jackson defeated William Temple Franklin, the grandson of Ben Franklin, in the first contested vote of the Convention, to be named as its secretary. (Ben Franklin was ill and not at the session on May 25.)

And finally, a three-man group was picked to draw up the rules for the Convention: Charles Pinckney, Alexander Hamilton and George Wythe.

According to James Madison’s notes, among the other delegates in the room were James Wilson, Rufus King, Robert Morris, Gouverneur Morris, George Read, George Mason, and Charles Cotesworth Pinckney. The debate over the rules would start on May 28, the first day that Ben Franklin arrived at the Convention.

05/25/2026

For many people, is the symbol of summer’s start. What’s lost to some today is its original meaning.

Explore the real reason for the holiday with :

For many people, Memorial Day is the symbol of summer’s start. What’s lost to some today is its original meaning - and day.