Inauguration Day Celebration
Tuesday, January 20, 2009, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Event Admission: FREE with museum admission
As the nation celebrates the Inauguration of our first African American president, visitors to the Constitution Center can learn more about similar paradigm-changing moments throughout our country’s history by exploring the groundbreaking new exhibition, America I AM: The African American Imprint, which celebrates nearly 500 years of African American contributions to the nation. In addition, they can participate in the Breaking Barriers show to learn about Thurgood Marshall, Bessie Coleman, Jackie Robinson, and other extraordinary African Americans throughout history. Throughout the day, visitors will have the chance to take the Oath of Office, create their own presidential seals, learn about past inaugurations in the Transfer of Powers program, and watch the Inauguration live. Visitors can also join in a city-wide scavenger hunt and have their picture taken with a cutout of President Barack Obama at the Center, the Independence Visitor Center, Lights of Liberty, Betsy Ross House, and the Independence Living History Center. In addition, the Pennsylvania Coalition for Representative Democracy (PennCORD) will broadcast a series of short student-produced documentaries on the history of inaugurals and the presidency, and student journalists will interview spectators at the Center about their reactions to the Inauguration.
What’s Now, What’s Next by David Bradley
Tuesday, January 20, 2009 at 1:30 p.m.
Grand Hall Overlook
Admission: FREE, with museum admission
Written by Philadelphia-based theater artist David Bradley, What’s Now, What’s Next? was commissioned by Scholastic, Inc. and the National Constitution Center as part of a project exploring youth civic engagement. The play tells the story of three young people: 12-year-old Lisa, an earnest girl getting her first taste of activism; her long-time friend Maya, busy navigating the complicated social network of adolescence; and Lisa’s 18-year-old brother Greg, who is carrying both extra burdens at home since his dad was laid off and a healthy cynicism about civic life. When Lisa’s chance to speak at a big school district meeting on environmental issues is threatened by the conflicting demands of family, the three end up on a surprising journey that leads to big discoveries about what it means to take responsibility and stand up for what you believe.
The script was developed in workshops with a team of Philadelphia artists, as well as staff from Scholastic and the NCC.
“We were really interested in looking at what motivates young people to become active citizens,” said playwright David Bradley. “How can they make connections between what matters in their own lives and what’s going on in their communities?
“The play talks about voting, but it’s about something bigger than that,” Bradley said. “Adolescents can’t vote, but they can still have a voice. They can still engage in their communities. The play talks about how we’re all citizens, we’re all part of ‘we the people.’ It’s fun to share this story at a time when the new president is asking us all to take part in the lives of our communities, to be part of something bigger than ourselves.”