PHILADELPHIA, PA (October 17, 2025) — The National Constitution Center hosted its 2025 Liberty Medal ceremony celebrating Hamilton and historian Ron Chernow, whose biography of Alexander Hamilton inspired the cultural phenomenon that continues to shape how Americans connect with the nation’s founding story. The ceremony, held Friday evening at the Center, honored Hamilton and Chernow with the 37th annual Liberty Medal and featured a conversation between Chernow and National Constitution Center President and CEO Jeffrey Rosen, as well as performances by Hamilton alum Ta’Rea Campbell and 2024–2025 Hamilton Education Program competition winner Heather Leslie Sanchez.
In his opening remarks, Rosen noted, “With its catchy tunes and memorable lyrics, the Hamilton musical has inspired millions in theaters, homes, classrooms, and beyond, to love American history and to learn more about our founding ideals," said Rosen. “Together, Hamilton the musical and Hamilton the biography show the power of history in shaping American culture and sparking civic imagination.”
Delivering remarks overlooking Independence Mall, Chernow noted, I feel a small tingle at being here in Philadelphia, birthplace of the Constitution, and receiving this award at the National Constitution Center. The work of honoring and explicating the Constitution, begun by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay in the Federalist Papers is now gallantly carried on at the Center by Jeffrey Rosen and his excellent staff.”
Chernow went on to say, “In embracing the musical, audiences have shown that they don’t want history that debunks our country’s past, but neither do they want history that exaggerates or sanitizes it. Hamilton invites audiences to grapple with our nation’s complicated origins and thereby makes our early struggle feel urgent and vital and yes, all too contemporary.”
In recorded remarks, Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda noted, “Very rarely has a book gripped me as Ron Chernow's account of Hamilton. It made me think, ‘how has no one turned this story into a musical yet?’ I'll always be grateful to Ron for that.”
Based on Ron Chernow’s Pulitzer Prize winning biography, Hamilton premiered on Broadway in 2015 and quickly became a cultural touchstone, earning 11 Tony Awards, a Pulitzer Prize for Drama, and a Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album. The production has been credited with transforming how audiences engage with early American history and sparking new interest in the founding era, particularly among young people and students through the Hamilton Education Program.
The Liberty Medal, established in 1988 and hosted by the National Constitution Center since 2006, recognizes individuals and organizations who strive to secure the blessings of liberty to people around the globe. Recent recipients have included Ken Burns, Judy Woodruff and David Rubenstein, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, U.S. Senator John McCain, U.S. Representative John Lewis, the Dalai Lama, and Malala Yousafzai.
The Liberty Medal prize of $100,000 is sponsored by Ira Lubert and Pamela Estadt, who have generously supported the award for more than a decade. The Liberty Medal is also made possible by contributions from corporations, foundations, and individuals, with proceeds supporting the ongoing work of the National Constitution Center.
About Liberty Medal
The Liberty Medal was established in 1988 to commemorate the bicentennial of the U.S. Constitution. Given annually, the medal honors individuals and organizations of courage and conviction who strive to secure the blessings of liberty to people around the globe. A full list of all past recipients is available here: constitutioncenter.org/liberty-medal/recipients
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About the National Constitution Center
The National Constitution Center in Philadelphia brings together people of all ages and perspectives, across America and around the world, to learn about, debate, and celebrate the greatest vision of human freedom in history, the U.S. Constitution. A private, nonprofit organization, the Center serves as America’s leading platform for constitutional education and debate, fulfilling its congressional charter “to disseminate information about the U.S. Constitution on a nonpartisan basis.” As the Museum of We the People, the Center brings the Constitution to life for visitors of all ages through interactive programs and exhibits. As America’s Town Hall, the Center brings the leading conservative and liberal thought leaders together to debate the Constitution on all media platforms. As a Headquarters for Civic Education, the Center delivers the best educational programs and online resources that inspire citizens and engage all Americans in learning about the U.S. Constitution. For more information, call 215-409-6700 or visit constitutioncenter.org.
