Constitution Daily Blog
Reconstruction
The Constitution and contested presidential elections
The Electoral College is a uniquely American institution and no stranger to controversy. But legally contested presidential…

Battle for the Constitution: Week of July 20th, 2020 Roundup
Here is a round-up of the latest from the Battle for the Constitution: a special project on the constitutional debates in American…

10 Supreme Court cases about the 14th Amendment
On the anniversary of the 14th Amendment's ratification, Constitution Daily looks at 10 historic Supreme Court cases about due…

The Supreme Court’s role in the police accountability controversy
The U.S. Supreme Court interprets the law, we are told. But sometimes, the court makes the law. One of those times—more than 50…

Bradwell v. Illinois: When the Supreme Court denied legal work to women
On April 15, 1873, the Supreme Court decided in Bradwell v. Illinois, striking down the Myra Bradwell’s challenge to the…

On this day, the Supreme Court decides Prigg v. Pennsylvania
On March 1, 1842, Justice Joseph Story wrote the first major opinion regarding the power of the federal government over slavery.…

On this day: The United States formally outlaws slavery
On December 6, 1865, the 13th Amendment was ratified after the state of Georgia approved the amendment as it was proposed to the…

Andrew Johnson: The most-criticized president ever?
Today marks the anniversary of the passing of Andrew Johnson, perhaps the most-criticized president in American history.

On this day, the Senate summons President Johnson to his impeachment trial
It was on this day that the United States Senate began the first trial of a sitting United States President after the House…
