Budget bill wins Oklahoma House approval
‘Question One’ looks at Maine’s same sex marriage vote
Budget bill wins approval in Oklahoma House
Legislature passes redistricting plan amid anger
Washington County plans to retry Nicole Beecroft in baby death
EDITORIAL: Smoked by the justices
Pakistan top judge, visiting UN human rights team discuss judiciary system
At the pinnacle ofof the corridorsthe corridors of justice, a case that refuses to go away ; An asto
Watertown man indicted on bail jumping charge
Nepal top court summons PM over seeking extension of constituent assembly
Rare but necessary move from judge
A TOTAL SHAMBLES ; Laughter, allegations of brutality and missing evidence… it’s Day 3 and already
Area court clerks see dark clouds with new license revocation law
EDITORIAL: Rights affirmed: The NAACP sticks to principle on a divisive issue
Redistricting supporters defended plan against GOP
Mikulski plan for women’s pay gets new push
The Capital, Annapolis, Md., Eric Hartley column
Oklahoma House votes down budget bill
Legislature passes redistricting over angry objections
Students honored from making a success of school after difficult starts
Smoking ban upheld by justices
Ohio can finally collect $2.3M in fines
EDITORIAL: Pennsylvania needs a pension plan
Justices uphold state smoking ban
Constitution High School Graduation
Health Care Reform’s Big Test
Senator Marco Rubio: The Voice of New Conservatism
ACLJ & Nearly 40,000 Americans Urge Appeals Court To Permit Texas To Halt Abortion Funding
Fiancee: More to sodomy charge
EDITORIAL: Untenable ruling
In Alaska, militia members accused of murder plot
Court’s decision: ‘can we’ vs. ‘should we’
Health Care Reform’s Big Test: Commerce and the Constitution
$5 After 5 p.m.
Headed to the White House
$5 After 5 p.m.
$5 After 5 p.m.
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band: Blood Brothers Documentary Film Screening
$5 After 5 p.m.
members
$5 After 5 p.m.
Kobach asks courts to redraw districts
$5 After 5 p.m.
$5 After 5 p.m.
$5 After 5 p.m.
$5 After 5 p.m.
Independence Day Celebration
Independence Day Celebration
Independence Day Celebration
Independence Day Celebration
Independence Day Celebration
Independence Day: Fourth of July Kick-Off Party
Flag Day
Flag Day
$5 After 5 p.m.
Independence Day Celebration
NCC Elects Former U.S. Ambassador David F. Girard-diCarlo to Board of Trustees
Joseph J. Ellis: First Family: Abigail and John Adams
Honor the Men and Women Who Defended Our Freedom this Memorial Day Weekend
Never-Before-Seen Extended Version of Clarence Clemons Documentary
Election 2012 Experience
Memorial Day
Address America: Your Six-Word Stump Speech
Constitution Hall Pass: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., A Legacy of Service
Constitution Hall Pass: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., A Legacy of Service
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., saw himself as a servant of humanity, and he wanted his life to be remembered as a life of service to others. In this episode, we look at Dr. King’s legacy of service. We’ll explore how his use of nonviolence was not just a political tool, but a way to demonstrate service to others. Get ready to learn about some of the other activists who drew their inspiration from Dr. King. And we’ll even learn about ways that you can serve your community! Join us as we honor the memory of this great American by talking about service.
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Lesson Plans
Breaking Barriers - Elementary School
Breaking Barriers - Middle School
Breaking Barriers - High School
Election 2012
Election 2012
Engage your students in the election excitement AT THE CENTER and IN THE CLASSROOM
4 NEW WAYS TO ENGAGE STUDENTS AT THE CENTER
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ELECTION HQ-NEW PROGRAM
Is your first stop to get informed on the candidates, featuring news updates, campaign commercials, gumball polls and voter registration. -
ELECTION CENTRAL-NEW EXHIBIT
New voting booth exhibit features interactive technology that matches you to the presidential candidate who shares your views on the issues -
THE HISTORY OF ELECTIONS-NEW ACTIVITIES
Learn about past presidential elections through trivia games, political cartoons and one-of-a-kind artifacts -
ADDRESS AMERICA: YOUR SIX-WORD STUMP SPEECH-NEW INITIATIVE
Step up to iPad stations in our main exhibition to share your elections priorities-in six words! In partnership with SMITH Magazine, home of the Six-Word Memoir® project. Join us online at addressamerica.constitutioncenter.org.
Coming August 24, the Center brings back its must-see exhibition Headed to the White House. Newly updated, this popular exhibition captures the excitement and pageantry of America’s election process and puts visitors in the center of the 2012 election.
Book your trip today! Call 215.409.6730 or email us at groupsales@constitutioncenter.org.
IN THE CLASSROOM
Constitution Hall Pass: The Presidency
Premiering for Constitution Day 2012
Webcast with live chat from September 10-23, 2012
Tune in to the next installment of the Center’s free, web-based video series and live web-chat that’s a hit with students and teachers. You won’t want to miss this truly engaging and interactive lesson for your classroom, hosted by the Center’s education staff and scholars. Visit Constitution Day or Hall Pass.
Address America: Your Six-Word Stump Speech
In the Address America lesson students will identify and analyze the elements of a stump speech by reading excerpts of 2000 – 2008 national elections, write their own six-word stump speeches, and add their stump speeches to the Address America website at addressamerica.constitutioncenter.org.
Headed to the White House Lessons
Featured Evening Programs
Robert Draper: Inside the 112th Congress
May 14, 2012
Bestselling author Robert Draper provides a revealing, riveting portrait of the House of Representatives elected in the history-making 2010 midterm elections and the tumultuous legislative session that followed. The Washington Post’s Paul Kane moderates.
Click here for full event and ticketing information.
Art of the American Soldier: “Fracture Ward” Video
Art of the American Soldier: “Movies” Video
Art of the American Soldier: “Beach” Video
Art of the American Soldier: “Probing for Land Mines in Bosnia” Video
Planned Giving
Lincoln: The Constitution & the Civil War
New Exhibition: On My Honor - 100 Years of Girl Scouting
Art of the American Soldier: Post-visit Activity
New York Times Bestselling Author Robert Draper Takes You Inside the U.S. House of Representatives
Why the Constitution Still Matters: A Conversation with Time Managing Editor Richard Stengel
Webcam
Live Webcam
Live Webcam Video from Signers' Hall at the National Constitution Center
Constitution Daily Blog
LGBT Rights and the 2012 Election Take Center Stage at the NCC
9/11: A Nation Remembers Classroom Activity
The Centuries of Citizenship: A Constitutional Timeline
Bill of Rights Game
Seize the Vote
Abraham Lincoln’s Crossroads
When “Every Day Is Election Day”: The Spirit of Compromise in America
Why the Constitution Still Matters: A Conversation with Richard Stengel
Buy Tickets
The Constitution
International
Girl Scout Day
Constitution Hall Pass: Dollars and Sense: Tax Day
National Constitution Center Invites Americans to Deliver a Six-Word Stump Speech
One Day University
One Day University
For tickets and more information click here or call 800.300.3438
Lectures
All programs begin at 10 a.m. at the National Constitution Center, 525 Arch Street, Philadelphia
FDR and the Path to World War II
Event Date: April 21, 2012
Lecturer: Richard Pious – Columbia University, Barnard College
On December 7, 1941, the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor; four days later, Germany and Italy declared war on the United States. Yet America’s involvement in World War II had been predetermined as early as May of 1940, when President Franklin D. Roosevelt circumvented an isolationist Congress by making a secret deal with Winston Churchill and the British.
Bruce Springsteen's American Vision
Date: May 5, 2012
Lecturer: Louis Masur – Trinity College
In his lecture Bruce Springsteen's American Vision, Professor Louis Masur situates Springsteen’s music in a broader cultural context. Springsteen is part of a long tradition of American songwriters who have given thought to the meanings of America, and his music connects to some of the most fundamental issues in our culture: the place of faith in our lives, the nature of work, our sense of community, the dream of escape and the search for love. We will examine how Springsteen delivers on these themes both lyrically and musically, how his vision has shifted over time, and the role of rock ‘n’ roll as an agent of change. Louis Masur is the author of Runaway Dream: Born to Run and Bruce Springsteen's American Vision (2009) and has also written about Springsteen for Slate, Salon, Backstreets, and other publications.
George Gershwin and American Music
Event Date: September 8, 2012
Lecturer: Orin Grossman – Fairfield University
A high-school drop-out, George Gershwin wrote his first major hit song, “Swanee,” at the age of 19. At the age of 25, he composed his first and perhaps most popular concert piece, “Rhapsody in Blue.” Using this masterwork as a point of reference, this lecture will demonstrate just how Gershwin melded the classical and the contemporary. By examining the musical influences of this American music icon, we gain insight into the multicultural nature of American musical traditions and the genius of one of our greatest composers.
Ten Films That Changed America
Event Date: October 6, 2012
Lecturer: Marc Lapadula – Yale University
While most movies are mass-produced entertainment and escapism, there are some that have had a profound impact on culture. Renowned Yale film professor Marc Lapadula will discuss and show clips from 10 films that truly made their mark: The Jazz Singer, The Graduate, Wild Bunch, Easy Rider, French Connection, The Exorcist, Jaws, Annie Hall, Fugitive, From a Chain Gang, and The China Syndrome. Whether intentionally or not, these films have brought social issues to light, affected laws, forwarded ideologies both good and bad, and generally changed the course of American history through their impact on society.
What Almost Nobody Knows about the Presidency
Event Date: November 17, 2012
Lecturer: Akhil Amar – Yale University
Join Professor Akhil Amar for a fascinating perspective on the presidency. Did you know:
• Even after a president has signed a bill into law or has had his veto overridden, he may sometimes properly refuse to enforce that law?
• Presidents do not need to have been born in the United States?
• For most of American history, presidents enforced the Constitution far more vigorously, and with far more important consequences, than did the Supreme Court?
• Only three presidents in American history have been residents of small states when elected?
• President Obama won every state within a five-hour drive of Chicago, but lost two states only minutes further away?
Explore these and other topics with one of the nation’s foremost constitutional experts.
Religion
Can We Talk? A Conversation about Civility and Democracy in America - Session 4: Religion
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Guiding Questions for Discussion
Is there a religious obligation to become an active participant in society? How does religion create both civility and incivility?
Is civility and manners the same?
Can religion aid in teaching civility?
Media and Communications
Can We Talk? A Conversation about Civility and Democracy in America - Session 3: Media and Communications
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Guiding Questions for Discussion
How could the media do a better job informing citizens? How has the internet changed the way in which citizens can critique the media? Are we all able to become experts?
Is not voting better than an uninformed vote?
Is the media’s job to inform or engage viewers?
Is media programming politically bias?
Using the discussion of political leanings in public broadcasting presented in these clips, is Sesame Street good for kids? Some resources:
- What Research Indicates about the Educational Effects of “Sesame Street.”
- Fisch, Shalom M. and Rosemarie T. Truglio, Eds. (2001). “G” is for Growing: Thirty Years of Research on Children and Sesame Street. Mahweh, New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum Publishers. ISBN 0-8058-3395-1
Civics and Social Entrepreneurs
Can We Talk? A Conversation about Civility and Democracy in America - Session 5: Civics and Social Entrepreneurs
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Guiding Questions for Discussion
Is incivility a result of society avoiding to confront important issues?
What do on-line conversations, such as ones in comment sections of an article, inform us about the role of civility in discourse?
Due to the nature of incivility surrounding public policy, should policymaking be done behind closed doors? Do you agree with the participant’s argument that democracy is more about process than outcome?
Ethics and Political Philosophy
Can We Talk? A Conversation about Civility and Democracy in America - Session 2: Ethics and Political Philosophy
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Guiding Questions for Discussion
Is it okay for political debate to be intense and combative? What are the risks and benefits? Why, or is it necessary for advocates to recognize opposing viewpoints? Is compromise between two opposing sides the best route to a solution? What can schools’ do to prepare students to be positively engaged in a polarized society?
Define Respect
History
Can We Talk? A Conversation about Civility and Democracy in America - Session 1: History
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Guiding Questions for Discussion
What are some historic examples of incivility and compromise? What can we learn about civility from the study of history?
How did leaders in history transcend incivility in order to get things done? What characteristics did these leaders have that enable them to successfully operate within a contentious political arena?
Public Town Hall
Can We Talk? A Conversation about Civility and Democracy in America - Public Town Hall
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Keynote Address
Can We Talk? A Conversation about Civility and Democracy in America - Keynote Address
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Guiding Questions for Discussion
In what ways is incivility in public discourse part of American’s past? Should Americans continue to protect it under the First Amendment?
What does Dr. Gutmann suggest as the most powerful antidote to polarizing discourse? Do you agree? What would you add? Why is compromise so difficult? What skills are necessary in order to reach a compromise?
Public Session
Can We Talk? A Conversation about Civility and Democracy in America - Public Session
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Guiding Questions for Discussion
What pivotal world and domestic events are occurring around the time of this conference?
Why is deliberation important? Is civility on the decline or does America have a history of political discord? Why is civility in a democracy necessary?
What is civility? And, should everyone have to uphold this same standard?
