PHILADELPHIA, PA (December 18, 2023) - Today, the National Constitution Center (NCC) released a lineup of new programming as part of its America’s Town Hall series of constitutional conversations and debates, hosted by NCC President and CEO Jeffrey Rosen. All programs are free to the public and will be held live online via Zoom and YouTube. The full list of programs, including registration information, is available HERE. All programs are open to the press and require registration.
On Presidents Day, February 19, National Constitution Center President and CEO Jeffrey Rosen will launch his new book, The Pursuit of Happiness: How Classical Writers on Virtue Inspired the Lives of the Founders and Defined America during a conversation with Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic. Rosen offers a fascinating examination of what “the pursuit of happiness” meant to our nation’s founders and how that famous phrase defined their lives and became the foundation of our democracy. This event will take place in person at the National Constitution Center and will include a book signing following the program.
This season’s programming kicks off on January 16 with a review of Supreme Court cases raising important questions at the intersection of technology and law. Alex Abdo of the Knight First Amendment Institute, Clay Calvert of the American Enterprise Institute, and David Greene of the Electronic Frontier Foundation for a conversation exploring key tech cases, including whether Florida and Texas can regulate the platforms’ content moderation policies.
On January 29, Angela Coventry, Dennis Rasmussen, and Aaron Alexander Zubia—all authors of books on Scottish philosopher David Hume—discuss Hume’s philosophical legacy and its profound impact on the shaping of America.
On February 1, the Center will host an America’s Town Hall in Phoenix, Arizona, for a discussion on the Center’s landmark Constitution Drafting Project. Presented in partnership with the Center for Constitutional Design at Arizona State University’s Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, Caroline Fredrickson of team progressive, Timothy Sandefur of team libertarian, and Ilan Wurman of team conservative will discuss their approaches to constitution drafting, the various amendments they agreed on, and the project’s importance in today’s constitutional environment.
As part of the Center’s Black History Month programming, historians Edda Fields-Black and James Oakes explore the history of the African American fight for freedom during the Civil War and Reconstruction on February 15, moderated by the Center’s Chief Content Officer Thomas Donnelly.
On March 21, with 230 days to Election Day, authors and commentators Richard Hasen, Sarah Isgur, and Lawrence Lessig provide a health check on the state of American democracy, and look ahead to potential areas of vulnerability in the run-up to the 2024 election. Rounding out the winter 2024 season of America’s Town Hall, acclaimed Lincoln historians Sidney Blumenthal and Harold Holzer, assess Lincoln’s life and legacy to unveil remarkable similarities between the 19th century and today.
All programs are open to the press. Please RSVP to Moira Bagley Smith or via the program links below.
America’s Town Hall Winter 2024 Programming
Unpacking the Supreme Court’s Tech Term
Tuesday, January 16 | Noon ET
Online
Several cases before the Supreme Court raise important questions at the intersection of technology and law. Join legal experts Alex Abdo of the Knight First Amendment Institute, Clay Calvert of the American Enterprise Institute, and David Greene of the Electronic Frontier Foundation for a conversation exploring key tech cases, including whether Florida and Texas can regulate the platforms’ content moderation policies. Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, moderates.
David Hume and the Ideas That Shaped America
Monday, January 29 | 7 p.m. ET
Online
Called “a degenerate son of science” by Thomas Jefferson and a “bungling lawgiver” by James Madison, Scottish philosopher David Hume was cited so often at the Constitutional Convention that delegates seemed to have committed his essays to memory. Join Angela Coventry, author of Hume: A Guide for the Perplexed; Dennis Rasmussen, author of The Infidel and the Professor: David Hume, Adam Smith, and the Friendship That Shaped Modern Thought; and Aaron Alexander Zubia, author of The Political Thought of David Hume as they discuss Hume’s philosophical legacy and its profound impact on the shaping of America. Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, moderates.
Constitution Drafting Project: A Discussion of Five New Amendments
Thursday, February 1 | 8–9:15 p.m. ET
In Person and Online
The Center for Constitutional Design at Arizona State University and the National Constitution Center present a discussion on the NCC’s landmark Constitution Drafting Project, featuring members of the drafting teams: Caroline Fredrickson of team progressive, Timothy Sandefur of team libertarian, and Ilan Wurman of team conservative. They will discuss their approaches to constitution drafting, the various amendments they agreed on, and the project’s importance in today’s constitutional environment. Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, moderates.
This program is presented in partnership with the Center for Constitutional Design at Arizona State University’s Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law.
Following Tubman’s Trail: Unveiling Stories of the African American Quest for Freedom
Thursday, February 15 | Noon ET
Online
In celebration of Black History Month, explore the history of the African American fight for freedom during the Civil War and Reconstruction periods with historians Edda Fields-Black, author of Combee: Harriet Tubman, the Combahee River Raid, and Black Freedom during the Civil War, and James Oakes, author of Freedom National: The Destruction of Slavery in the United States, 1861-1865. Thomas Donnelly, chief content officer at the National Constitution Center, moderates.
The Pursuit of Happiness: A Book Launch and Conversation with Jeffrey Rosen and Jeffrey Goldberg
Monday, February 19 | 6:30 p.m. ET
In Person and Online
This Presidents Day, join National Constitution Center President and CEO Jeffrey Rosen as he launches his new book at the NCC in conversation with Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic. In The Pursuit of Happiness: How Classical Writers on Virtue Inspired the Lives of the Founders and Defined America, Rosen offers a fascinating examination of what “the pursuit of happiness” meant to our nation’s founders and how that famous phrase defined their lives and became the foundation of our democracy.
Democracy Checkup: Preparing for the 2024 Election
Thursday, March 21 | 7 p.m. ET
Online
Richard Hasen, author of A Real Right to Vote, Sarah Isgur, senior editor of The Dispatch, and Lawrence Lessig, author of How to Steal a Presidential Election, provide a health check on the state of American democracy, and look ahead to potential areas of vulnerability in the run-up to the 2024 election. Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, moderates.
Lincoln’s Lessons: Then and Now
Wednesday, March 27 | 7 p.m. ET
Online
Acclaimed Lincoln historians Sidney Blumenthal, author of the three-volume The Political Life of Abraham Lincoln, and Harold Holzer, author of the new book Brought Forth on This Continent: Abraham Lincoln and American Immigration, assess Lincoln’s life and legacy to unveil remarkable similarities between the 19th century and today. Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, moderates.
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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.
