PHILADELPHIA, PA (January 13, 2025) - 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, moderated by NCC President and CEO Jeffrey Rosen. All programs are free to the public and will be held live online via Zoom and YouTube, and select events held at the Center as noted. The full list of programs, including registration information, is available HERE. All programs are open to the press and require registration.
The winter season of America’s Town Hall kicks off the day after Inauguration Day with historians Michael Gerhardt, Kate Masur, and Ted Widmer discussing the recently published compendium, My Fellow Americans: Presidents and Their Inaugural Addresses, and reflecting on inaugural addresses through history and how they relate to a president’s legacy.
On Monday, Feb. 10, live at the National Constitution Center and in partnership with the Federal Judicial Center, leading historians will convene for conversations on Reconstruction and the Constitution. Pamela Brandwein of the University of Michigan, Sherrilyn Ifill of Howard University School of Law, and Ilan Wurman of the University of Minnesota Law School will explore the 14th Amendment and the history of Reconstruction. Martha Jones of Johns Hopkins University, Kate Masur of Northwestern University, and Dylan Penningroth of the University of California, Berkeley, will delve into the broader legal and social effects of Reconstruction beyond the amendments.
New York Times columnist Jamelle Bouie joins award-winning journalist Juan Williams on Feb. 26 for a conversation on Williams’ new book, New Prize for These Eyes: The Rise of America’s Second Civil Rights Movement, exploring the emergence of a new civil rights era—from the 2008 election of President Obama to the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. Thomas Donnelly, chief scholar at the National Constitution Center, moderates.
Jonathan Rauch, author of Cross Purposes: Christianity’s Broken Bargain with Democracy, and Julian Zelizer, author of In Defense of Partisanship, join Rosen on Monday, March 3, for a wide-ranging discussion on their new books and the rise of partisanship in America.
On Tuesday, March 18, CNN Anchor and Chief Political Correspondent Dana Bash joins America’s Town Hall for a discussion of her book, America’s Deadliest Election: The Cautionary Tale of the Most Violent Election in American History, which explores the little-known story of the 1872 reelection of President Ulysses S. Grant, which nearly pushed American democracy to its breaking point, and what we can learn from it today.
Best-selling author Michael Lewis joins on Wednesday, March 26, to discuss his new book, Who Is Government?: The Untold Story of Public Service. As Americans’ distrust in the government continues to grow, Lewis’ book examines how the government works, who works for it, and why their contributions continue to matter.
And rounding out our winter 2025 season, on Thursday, March 27, Brian Kalt of Michigan State College of Law and Jeffrey Toobin, author of The Pardon: The Politics of Presidential Mercy, explore the founders’ vision for the pardon power and the use of the presidential pardon throughout American history—from Thomas Jefferson’s pardons to those issued by Presidents Biden and Trump.
All programs are open to the press. Please RSVP to Moira Bagley Smith or via the program links below.
America's Town Hall Winter 2025 Programming
NOTE: Programs are subject to change. Visit the National Constitution Center’s website for the most up-to-date program details.
My Fellow Americans: Presidents and Their Inaugural Addresses
Tuesday, January 21 | Noon ET
Free Online
The day after the 2025 presidential inauguration, join leading presidential historians and contributors to the recently published compendium My Fellow Americans: Presidents and Their Inaugural Addresses, Michael Gerhardt, Kate Masur, and Ted Widmer, as they reflect on inaugural addresses throughout history and how they relate to a president’s legacy. Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, moderates.
Reconstruction and the Constitution: A Historical Perspective
Monday, February 10 | 9:45–11:45 a.m. ET
Free In Person and Online
The National Constitution Center and the Federal Judicial Center convene leading historians for conversations on Reconstruction and the Constitution. Pamela Brandwein of the University of Michigan, Sherrilyn Ifill of Howard University School of Law, and Ilan Wurman of the University of Minnesota Law School will explore the 14th Amendment and the history of Reconstruction. Martha Jones of Johns Hopkins University, Kate Masur of Northwestern University, and Dylan Penningroth of the University of California, Berkeley, will delve into the broader legal and social effects of Reconstruction beyond the amendments. Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, moderates.
This program is presented in partnership with the Federal Judicial Center.
Juan Williams on the Rise of America’s Second Civil Rights Movement
Wednesday, February 26 | Noon ET
Free Online
New York Times columnist Jamelle Bouie joins award-winning journalist Juan Williams for a conversation on Williams’ new book, New Prize for These Eyes: The Rise of America’s Second Civil Rights Movement, exploring the emergence of a new civil rights era—from the 2008 election of President Obama to the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol. Thomas Donnelly, chief scholar at the National Constitution Center, moderates.
The State of Partisanship: Confronting the Challenges of a Divided Nation
Monday, March 3 | 7 p.m. ET
Free Online
Jonathan Rauch, author of Cross Purposes: Christianity’s Broken Bargain with Democracy, and Julian Zelizer, author of In Defense of Partisanship, join for a wide-ranging discussion on their new books and the rise of partisanship in America. Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, moderates.
Dana Bash on America’s Deadliest Election
Tuesday, March 18 | 7 p.m. ET
Free Online
Join CNN Anchor and Chief Political Correspondent Dana Bash for a discussion of her book, America’s Deadliest Election: The Cautionary Tale of the Most Violent Election in American History, which explores the little-known story of the 1872 reelection of President Ulysses S. Grant, which nearly pushed American democracy to its breaking point, and what we can learn from it today. Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, moderates.
Michael Lewis on Who Is Government?
Wednesday, March 26 | Noon ET
Free Online
Best-selling author Michael Lewis discusses his new book, Who Is Government?: The Untold Story of Public Service. As Americans’ distrust in the government continues to grow, Lewis’ book examines how the government works, who works for it, and why their contributions continue to matter. Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, moderates.
The Evolution of the Presidential Pardon From Jefferson to Trump
Thursday, March 27 | 7 p.m. ET
Free Online
Brian Kalt of Michigan State College of Law and Jeffrey Toobin, author of The Pardon: The Politics of Presidential Mercy, explore the founders’ vision for the pardon power and the use of the presidential pardon throughout American history—from Thomas Jefferson’s pardons to those issued by Presidents Biden and Trump. Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, moderates.
###
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.
