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Understanding the Constitution’s Recess Appointments Clause

President-elect Donald Trump’s recent remarks about using recess appointments to name his cabinet nominees has drawn a good deal…

Understanding the Constitution’s Recess Appointments Clause
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The One Alien and Sedition Act Still on the Books

One of the most controversial measures taken by the federal government in its early days were the Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798.…

The One Alien and Sedition Act Still on the Books
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The 22nd Amendment and Presidential Service Beyond Two Terms

With Donald Trump set to serve again as president, there has been talk about his ability to continue in office after his second…

The 22nd Amendment and Presidential Service Beyond Two Terms
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The Electoral College’s Role in the 2024 Election

On Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, voters from around the country will complete the process of choosing electors who will pick the next…

The Electoral College’s Role in the 2024 Election
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Why did the founders create the Electoral College?

In this video, Alexander Keyssar talks about why the founders created the Electoral College.

Why did the founders create the Electoral College?
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Fewer scenarios likely for a tie in the 2024 presidential election

Unlike other recent campaigns, the specter of a tied election is less likely to hang over the 2024 presidential election due to…

Fewer scenarios likely for a tie in the 2024 presidential election
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What does the Constitution say about voting?

Alexander Keyssar talks about what the Constitution says about voting.

What does the Constitution say about voting?
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Why didn’t the founders choose to select the president through a national popular vote?

Derek Muller talks about why the founders did not choose a national popular vote to select the president.

Why didn’t the founders choose to select the president through a national popular vote?
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On this day: The First Continental Congress concludes

On October 26, 1774, the First Continental Congress ended its initial session in Philadelphia with a list of rights belonging to…

On this day: The First Continental Congress concludes
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The Constitution and the federal election process

On Nov. 5, 2024, voters will head to the polls in person to select the next president and vice president of the United States, as…

The Constitution and the federal election process
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Veterans take another battle to the U.S. Supreme Court

Many of the nation’s veterans have fought battles with the federal agency responsible for awarding benefits for their…

Veterans take another battle to the U.S. Supreme Court
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10 fascinating facts on the White House’s anniversary

Today marks the anniversary of an American icon: the White House. Here’s a look back at its remarkable history.

10 fascinating facts on the White House’s anniversary
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A new Supreme Court term begins in the shadow of a presidential election

The U.S. Supreme Court opens a new term on the eve of an intense, historic election in which the justices may be called on to play…

A new Supreme Court term begins in the shadow of a presidential election
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Dikembe Mutombo Believed in the American Idea

The humanitarian and NBA legend was grateful for the freedom he enjoyed, and understood the obligations that came with it.

Dikembe Mutombo Believed in the American Idea
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Ken Burns honored with 2024 Liberty Medal

The National Constitution Center honored America’s storyteller, Ken Burns, with the 36th annual Liberty Medal in a ceremony held…

Ken Burns honored with 2024 Liberty Medal
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10 fascinating facts about the Supreme Court on its birthday

It was back on this day in 1789 that Congress passed the act that officially created the federal judiciary system that included…

10 fascinating facts about the Supreme Court on its birthday
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On this day, the Constitution was signed in Philadelphia

On September 17, 1787, a group of men gathered in a closed meeting room to sign the greatest vision of human freedom in history,…

On this day, the Constitution was signed in Philadelphia
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Top myths about the Constitution on Constitution Day

The Constitution is our most enduring document, but not everything you read online about the Constitution is accurate! Here are…

Top myths about the Constitution on Constitution Day
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As summer ends, emergency requests keep coming to the Supreme Court

Recent summers in the U.S. Supreme Court have been deceptively quiet. It is still true that when the final decision is issued in…

As summer ends, emergency requests keep coming to the Supreme Court
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A History of In-Person Major Events at the National Constitution Center

On Sept. 10, 2024, the Center will be the location of ABC’s broadcast of the debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and…

A History of In-Person Major Events at the National Constitution Center
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On this day, the name “United States of America” becomes official

On September 9, 1776, the Second Continental Congress adopted a new name for what had been called “the United Colonies.” The…

On this day, the name “United States of America” becomes official
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The Nixon pardon in constitutional retrospect

President Gerald Ford’s pardon of Richard Nixon on this day in 1974 generated a national controversy, but in recent years, some…

The Nixon pardon in constitutional retrospect
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On this day, the first Continental Congress meets in Philadelphia

On September 5, 1774, the first Continental Congress in the United States met in Philadelphia to consider its reaction to the…

On this day, the first Continental Congress meets in Philadelphia
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10 fascinating facts about the “I Have A Dream” speech

It was on this day in 1963 that Martin Luther King, Jr., gave his famous “I Have A Dream” speech as part of the March on…

10 fascinating facts about the “I Have A Dream” speech
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Supreme Court to consider gender affirming care laws for minors

One of the highest profile cases in the Supreme Court’s upcoming term could set a precedent over the ability of several states…

Supreme Court to consider gender affirming care laws for minors
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A brief history of presidential candidate debates

Debates between presidential candidates have become an important part of the election process every four years, but in historical…

A brief history of presidential candidate debates
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A Constitution “hard, but not that hard” to change

Ten years ago in a public conversation, journalist Marvin Kalb asked the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia what he would…

A Constitution “hard, but not that hard” to change
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Five little-known men who almost became president

What do Benjamin Wade, Willie P. Mangum and John Nance Garner all have in common? If not for a last-second decision, or a twist of…

Five little-known men who almost became president
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On this day, Gerald Ford becomes President in a constitutional first

On August 9, 1974, Gerald Ford officially became President in the most unusual of circumstances, as Richard Nixon left Washington…

On this day, Gerald Ford becomes President in a constitutional first
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Explaining the debate over Title IX sexual orientation and gender regulations

Recent injunctions from several federal judges have blocked the Department of Education from fully implementing new Title IX rules…

Explaining the debate over Title IX sexual orientation and gender regulations
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What is the Constitutional Role of the Vice President?

During the current presidential election, the importance of the two vice presidential nominees will be a topic of discussion…

What is the Constitutional Role of the Vice President?
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On this day, an early victory for the free press

On August 4, 1735, a jury acquitted publisher John Peter Zenger of libel charges against New York’s colonial governor, in an…

On this day, an early victory for the free press
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Can Congress enact Supreme Court term limits without a constitutional amendment?

President Joe Biden’s recent announcement of several proposed Supreme Court reform measures includes the goal of establishing…

Can Congress enact Supreme Court term limits without a constitutional amendment?
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Silas Deane: Founding Father, spy, and Loyalist?

Today marks the anniversary of the odd, tragic story of Silas Deane, a Founding Father who was later banned from America and died…

Silas Deane: Founding Father, spy, and Loyalist?
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Understanding the Constitution’s 25th Amendment

The 25th Amendment deals with vacancies in the office of the presidency, and the process to follow when a president suffers a…

Understanding the Constitution’s 25th Amendment
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Looking back: The Supreme Court decision that ended Nixon’s presidency

It was on this day in 1974 that the U.S. Supreme Court dealt a fatal blow to President Richard Nixon’s presidency, in a decision…

Looking back: The Supreme Court decision that ended Nixon’s presidency
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10 facts about the most famous scene in legal history

The legendary confrontation between William Jennings Bryan and Clarence Darrow in the Scopes Monkey Trial took place on a hot…

10 facts about the most famous scene in legal history
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On this day, the Seneca Falls Convention begins

On July 19, 1848, the first women’s rights convention in the United States began at Wesleyan Chapel in Seneca Falls, New York.

On this day, the Seneca Falls Convention begins
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Breaking down the Trump immunity decision

The Supreme Court’s 2023-24 term may best be remembered for a landmark decision about former President Donald Trump’s claims…

Breaking down the Trump immunity decision
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Gerald Ford’s unique role in American history

Today is the birthday of the late former President, Gerald R. Ford, who went from being a college football star to the White House…

Gerald Ford’s unique role in American history
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The Burr vs. Hamilton duel happened on this day

Today marks the anniversary of the deadly duel between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr. What caused the sitting vice president…

The Burr vs. Hamilton duel happened on this day
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10 fascinating facts about the Liberty Bell

On July 8, 1776, popular legend says the Liberty Bell rang to symbolize America’s independence from Great Britain. But many…

10 fascinating facts about the Liberty Bell
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The Constitution signer who was impeached and expelled

William Blount is one of the lesser-known men who signed the Constitution, but one of the most controversial, since he put a key…

The Constitution signer who was impeached and expelled
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Six big takeaways from this historic Supreme Court term

The Supreme Court wrapped up a historic term this week, one that will be defined largely by unprecedented constitutional issues…

Six big takeaways from this historic Supreme Court term
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When is the real Independence Day: July 2 or July 4?

There’s no doubt the Founding Fathers signed the Declaration of Independence in July 1776. But which date has the legitimate…

When is the real Independence Day: July 2 or July 4?
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Supreme Court sends major Internet case back to the lower courts

A unanimous Supreme Court on Monday, July 1, ruled that a dispute between social media giants such as YouTube, Facebook, and X,…

Supreme Court sends major Internet case back to the lower courts
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Justices uphold ordinances regulating public homeless encampments

A divided Supreme Court on June 28, 2024 overturned a lower court decision which held that local government ordinances regulating…

Justices uphold ordinances regulating public homeless encampments
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The Supreme Court gives courts new marching orders on issues affecting Americans’ everyday lives

For four decades, courts have followed a Supreme Court decision that was a roadmap of how to proceed when confronted with…

The Supreme Court gives courts new marching orders on issues affecting Americans’ everyday lives
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The Supreme Court rules on the government pressuring websites to moderate content

At what point does the government, in taking actions to make social media websites aware of content considered to be…

The Supreme Court rules on the government pressuring websites to moderate content
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Vidal v. Elster: Unanimous decision, divided court

On June 13, the Supreme Court decided Vidal v. Elster, a case about the constitutionality of the Lanham Act’s Names Clause. The…

Vidal v. Elster: Unanimous decision, divided court
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No earthquake, but did the Supreme Court shift a bit in its approach to guns?

Did the U.S. Supreme Court last week engage in a course correction in its approach to gun regulation and the Second Amendment?

No earthquake, but did the Supreme Court shift a bit in its approach to guns?
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When the Supreme Court ruled to allow American flag burning

On June 21, 1989, a deeply divided United States Supreme Court upheld the rights of protesters to burn the American flag in a…

When the Supreme Court ruled to allow American flag burning
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The day the Constitution was ratified

On June 21, 1788, New Hampshire became the ninth and final state needed to ratify the Constitution.

The day the Constitution was ratified
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What will Justices Barrett and Jackson bring to the Supreme Court’s homestretch?

By the end of June or early July, Americans will learn the outcome of a remarkable number of major cases in the U.S. Supreme…

What will Justices Barrett and Jackson bring to the Supreme Court’s homestretch?
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Juneteenth: Understanding Its Origins

The anniversary of an 1865 announcement by a Union military official in Texas has grown over the years into a celebration of…

Juneteenth: Understanding Its Origins
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On this day, filibuster fails to block the Civil Rights Act

On June 19, 1964, the Senate ended a long debate, overcoming a record-setting filibuster to join the House in approving the Civil…

On this day, filibuster fails to block the Civil Rights Act
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Unanimous Supreme Court rejects ban on abortion pills

On Thursday, the Supreme Court ruled against a group of medical associations and doctors who opposed the use of mifepristone, a…

Unanimous Supreme Court rejects ban on abortion pills
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On this day, Congress approved the 14th Amendment

On June 13, 1866, the House approved a Senate-proposed version of the 14th Amendment, sending it to the states for approval. Two…

On this day, Congress approved the 14th Amendment
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The Supreme Court and social media: Can government officials block online comments?

When can government officials decline to publish or block public comments made on their social media accounts? The Supreme Court…

The Supreme Court and social media: Can government officials block online comments?
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On this day, a win for ‘stop and frisk’

On June 10, 1968, the Court ruled that a police officer may stop and search a citizen on the street if the officer has…

On this day, a win for ‘stop and frisk’
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Examining the legacy of Chief Justice Warren Burger

On June 9, 1969, a near unanimous Senate confirmed federal judge Warren Burger as Chief Justice of the United States, starting a…

Examining the legacy of Chief Justice Warren Burger
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June Supreme Court decisions to include Trump, abortion, Second Amendment

The Supreme Court’s current term is heading toward a noteworthy June, with major decisions expected about former President…

June Supreme Court decisions to include Trump, abortion, Second Amendment
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Olmstead case was a watershed for Supreme Court

Today marks the anniversary of the landmark Olmstead v. United States wiretapping case decided by the Supreme Court, which had a…

Olmstead case was a watershed for Supreme Court
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On this day, Louis D. Brandeis confirmed as a Supreme Court Justice

It was on this day in 1916 that the Senate voted to confirm attorney Louis Brandeis to the Supreme Court, ending an ugly and…

On this day, Louis D. Brandeis confirmed as a Supreme Court Justice
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A future American president’s deadly duel

On this day in 1806, future President Andrew Jackson nearly died in a duel when he killed his opponent, a fellow plantation owner.

A future American president’s deadly duel
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In the Supreme Court, unanimous decisions aren’t necessarily the “easy” cases

The late Justice Antonin Scalia once told this reporter: “There is no relationship between the difficulty of a case and its…

In the Supreme Court, unanimous decisions aren’t necessarily the “easy” cases
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Plessy’s place in the list of Supreme Court decisions

On May 18, 1896, the Supreme Court’s Plessy v. Ferguson decision upheld the legality of racial segregation in America. Plessy…

Plessy’s place in the list of Supreme Court decisions
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The man whose impeachment vote saved Andrew Johnson

After being impeached, President Andrew Johnson survived his 1868 Senate trial by just one vote. And to this day, how that vote…

The man whose impeachment vote saved Andrew Johnson
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TikTok’s Constitutional Questions Head to the Courts

After months of debate, restrictions on the ownership of the popular app TikTok are heading to a federal court, raising a series…

TikTok’s Constitutional Questions Head to the Courts
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The Mexican-American war in a nutshell

May marks two key anniversaries in the conflict between the United States and Mexico in that set in motion the Civil War—and led…

The Mexican-American war in a nutshell
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Looking back: A new Justice replaces a filibustered candidate

On May 12, 1970, the U.S. Senate finally confirmed Harry Blackmun to the Supreme Court, ending a 391-day-long effort to replace…

Looking back: A new Justice replaces a filibustered candidate
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The story behind the Join or Die snake cartoon

On this day in 1754, Benjamin Franklin published one of the most famous cartoons in history: the Join or Die woodcut. Franklin’s…

The story behind the Join or Die snake cartoon
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The Constitutional Right to Protest at Universities

The recent protests about the Israel-Hamas war at universities around the nation are drawing attention to the most basic of First…

The Constitutional Right to Protest at Universities
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The Delaware Companion Cases to Brown v. Board

In this look back at the landmark Brown v. Board in 1954 decision about desegregation, Ronald K.L. Collins and Judge Thomas L.…

The Delaware Companion Cases to Brown v. Board
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How a college term paper led to a constitutional amendment

The 27th Amendment is the most recent amendment to the Constitution, and its existence today can be traced to a college student…

How a college term paper led to a constitutional amendment
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Law Day: 10 famous people who were lawyers

May 1 is Law Day, an event that honors “liberty, justice and equality under law which our forefathers bequeathed” to the…

Law Day: 10 famous people who were lawyers
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The most underrated Founding Father: Oliver Ellsworth?

On the anniversary of Oliver Ellsworth’s birth, Constitution Daily looks back an important founder who helped forge a compromise…

The most underrated Founding Father: Oliver Ellsworth?
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10 birthday facts about President James Monroe

James Monroe was the only president, aside from George Washington, to run unopposed for re-election. But that may not be the most…

10 birthday facts about President James Monroe
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Supreme Court tackles history with Trump’s immunity case

On Thursday, the nine justices on the U.S. Supreme Court tackled a question “for the ages” in the Trump v. United States…

Supreme Court tackles history with Trump’s immunity case
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On this day, Supreme Court Justice William Brennan is born

On April 25, 1906, future Supreme Court Justice William J. Brennan was born in New Jersey. During his nearly 34 years at the…

On this day, Supreme Court Justice William Brennan is born
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Update: The final briefs before the Trump immunity case arguments

The final briefs in former President Donald Trump’s latest case at the Supreme Court have been submitted related to a former…

Update: The final briefs before the Trump immunity case arguments
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How To Listen To Donald Trump’s Immunity Case at the Supreme Court

On Thursday morning, the Supreme Court will hear arguments in Donald J. Trump v. United States, a case about former President…

How To Listen To Donald Trump’s Immunity Case at the Supreme Court
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The day when America moved toward becoming a global power

On April 21, 1898, Spain broke off diplomatic relations with the United States in a long-simmering dispute over Cuba. The brief…

The day when America moved toward becoming a global power
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Five myths about the start of the Revolutionary War

The American Revolutionary War started on April 19, 1775 at the towns of Lexington and Concord. But how accurate are some of the…

Five myths about the start of the Revolutionary War
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On this day, Benjamin Franklin dies in Philadelphia

Today marks the 229th anniversary of Benjamin Franklin’s death, which drew many different responses from the citizens of…

On this day, Benjamin Franklin dies in Philadelphia
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Will the Supreme Court clip the wings of prosecutors in their Jan. 6 prosecutions?

Before the U.S. Supreme Court takes up former President Donald Trump’s claim of immunity from criminal prosecution in the…

Will the Supreme Court clip the wings of prosecutors in their Jan. 6 prosecutions?
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Is there a constitutional right for homeless encampments on public property?

On April 22, 2024, the Supreme Court will consider the constitutionality of local government ordinances regulating the use of…

Is there a constitutional right for homeless encampments on public property?
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The forgotten man who almost became President after Lincoln

On April 15, 1865, President Abraham Lincoln died from his assassin’s wounds. But if John Wilkes Booth’s plot were entirely…

The forgotten man who almost became President after Lincoln
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10 facts about Abraham Lincoln’s assassination

It was on this day in 1865 that President Abraham Lincoln was shot while watching a play at Ford’s Theater. Lincoln died the…

10 facts about Abraham Lincoln’s assassination
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Looking back at the day FDR died

On April 12, 1945, the 32nd president of the United States, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, died in Georgia. Harry Truman along with an…

Looking back at the day FDR died
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The remarkable career of Charles Evans Hughes

On the anniversary of his birthday, Constitution Daily looks back at the career of Charles Evans Hughes, former Chief Justice and…

The remarkable career of Charles Evans Hughes
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On this day, Lee surrenders at Appomattox

On this day, Confederate General Robert E. Lee agreed to surrender his Army of Northern Virginia, marking a symbolic end to the…

On this day, Lee surrenders at Appomattox
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Supreme Court to hear Trump immunity, abortion arguments in final sitting

On April 15, 2024, the Supreme Court will start its final scheduled session for the 2023 term, with major cases about abortion…

Supreme Court to hear Trump immunity, abortion arguments in final sitting
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On this day, Jeannette Rankin’s history-making moment

It was on April 2, 1917 that Jeanette Rankin became the first woman in Congress. But within days, she became the target of…

On this day, Jeannette Rankin’s history-making moment
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Once again, Supreme Court dives into abortion fray

The only people who may have actually believed the Supreme Court was getting out of the abortion issue by eliminating the…

Once again, Supreme Court dives into abortion fray
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A national TikTok ban and the First Amendment

The recent House passage of a bill banning TikTok from app stores in the United States has ignited a national constitutional…

A national TikTok ban and the First Amendment
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Why term limits for Congress face a challenging constitutional path

The Constitution of the United States is rarely changed, but that has not stopped speculation about the next amendment to our…

Why term limits for Congress face a challenging constitutional path
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The cotton gin: A game-changing social and economic invention

On this day in 1793, young inventor Eli Whitney had his U.S. patent for the cotton gin approved, an invention that would…

The cotton gin: A game-changing social and economic invention
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Explaining the Trump immunity case at the Supreme Court

On April 25, 2024, Supreme Court will consider former President Donald Trump’s claims of immunity from conspiracy and…

Explaining the Trump immunity case at the Supreme Court
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The last time Congress created a new state

On March 12, 1959, Congress approved Hawaii for admission to the union as the 50th state, marking the last time statehood was…

The last time Congress created a new state
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On this day, the Confederate Constitution is approved

On March 11, 1861, delegates from the newly formed Confederate States of America agreed on their own constitution. And much of it…

On this day, the Confederate Constitution is approved
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On this day, the Boston Massacre lights the fuse of revolution

On March 5, 1770, British soldiers fired upon a group of rowdy colonists, killing five and wounding others.

On this day, the Boston Massacre lights the fuse of revolution
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The Supreme Court’s mixed opinion in Trump’s Colorado case

The Supreme Court’s decision blocking states from removing former President Donald Trump from primary election ballots was…

The Supreme Court’s mixed opinion in Trump’s Colorado case
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On this day, government begins under our Constitution

It was on this day in 1789 that the federal government started to operate under the terms of the U.S. Constitution, as the…

On this day, government begins under our Constitution
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A brief history of presidential primaries

On Tuesday, March 5, voters in 15 states will play a major role in selecting the two major party candidates in this year’s…

A brief history of presidential primaries
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On this day, the Articles of Confederation are approved

On this day in 1781, the Articles of Confederation, our first constitution, became the official law of the land. It didn’t last…

On this day, the Articles of Confederation are approved
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Is a bump stock a “machinegun?” The U.S. Supreme Court takes up the question

After the 2017 mass shooting on the Las Vegas strip—the worst in American history—many Americans learned the phrase “bump…

Is a bump stock a “machinegun?” The U.S. Supreme Court takes up the question
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How one telegram helped to lead America toward war

On this day in 1917, President Woodrow Wilson learned of a shocking piece of paper that made America’s entry into World War I…

How one telegram helped to lead America toward war
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Hiram Revels: The first African American congressman

On this day in 1870, a Black politician was seated in the United States Senate for the first time, but only after Republican…

Hiram Revels: The first African American congressman
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Fascinating facts about George Washington for his real birthday

The national holiday called Washington’s Birthday may have passed, but today is George Washington’s real birthday. Here are…

Fascinating facts about George Washington for his real birthday
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The Supreme Court considers state laws regulating social media giants

One of the Supreme Court’s biggest cases this term involves the content moderation rights of websites—including YouTube…

The Supreme Court considers state laws regulating social media giants
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On this day, the Supreme Court rules on vaccines and public health

In the face of future public health emergencies like the Coronavirus, a precedential Supreme Court decision about the…

On this day, the Supreme Court rules on vaccines and public health
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A controversial executive order leads to internment camps

On this day in 1942, President Franklin Roosevelt issued his most-controversial executive order, an act that sent more than…

A controversial executive order leads to internment camps
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The story behind the Frederick Douglass birthday celebration

On February 14, America will observe the birthday of the iconic Frederick Douglass. While the year of his birth has been narrowed…

The story behind the Frederick Douglass birthday celebration
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Supreme Court raises broad questions about Colorado ruling on Trump

In closely watched arguments at the U.S. Supreme Court last Thursday, many of the justices questioned the broad impact of a…

Supreme Court raises broad questions about Colorado ruling on Trump
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How Abraham Lincoln lost his birthday holiday

It’s Abraham Lincoln’s birthday today, but you wouldn’t know it by watching the number of states that observe the day as a…

How Abraham Lincoln lost his birthday holiday
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Tune into one of the most important arguments in decades: Trump v. Anderson

More than 70 “friend-of-the-court” briefs have been filed in the crucial constitutional battle over Donald Trump’s…

Tune into one of the most important arguments in decades: Trump v. Anderson
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10 fascinating facts on President Ronald Reagan’s birthday

It’s the birthday of Ronald Reagan, and it is not hard to find some interesting facts about the 40th President.

10 fascinating facts on President Ronald Reagan’s birthday
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How To Listen To Donald Trump’s 14th Amendment Case at the Supreme Court

On Thursday morning, the Supreme Court will hear arguments on Trump v. Anderson, the case about the 14th Amendment and Donald…

How To Listen To Donald Trump’s 14th Amendment Case at the Supreme Court
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Explaining Donald Trump’s 14th Amendment case at the Supreme Court

On Feb. 8, 2024, the Supreme Court will hear arguments in a potentially historic case that could affect former President Donald…

Explaining Donald Trump’s 14th Amendment case at the Supreme Court
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How FDR lost his brief war on the Supreme Court

On February 5, 1937, President Franklin D. Roosevelt shocked America by introducing a plan to expand the Supreme Court, to gain…

How FDR lost his brief war on the Supreme Court
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On this day, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo is signed

On February 2, 1848 the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed in Mexico without President James K. Polk’s knowledge. The United…

On this day, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo is signed
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10 facts about young Franklin D. Roosevelt

Today is the birthday of the only person to run for, and win, the presidency four times: Franklin D. Roosevelt. Here’s a list of…

10 facts about young Franklin D. Roosevelt
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On this day: The anniversary of Brandeis’ Supreme Court nomination

On January 28, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson nominated attorney Louis Brandeis to the Supreme Court. Although Brandeis is a…

On this day: The anniversary of Brandeis’ Supreme Court nomination
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The last insurrection case considered by Congress

An obscure incident involving the 14th Amendment’s Disqualification Clause is getting some new attention in the lead-up to…

The last insurrection case considered by Congress
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On this day, Grant names little-known Waite as Chief Justice

On January 19, 1874, President Ulysses S. Grant nominated little-known Ohio lawyer Morrison Waite to replace Chief Justice Salmon…

On this day, Grant names little-known Waite as Chief Justice
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Daniel Webster’s unique Supreme Court legacy

Daniel Webster was one of the seminal figures of 19th century America as an orator and politician. Perhaps less known is…

Daniel Webster’s unique Supreme Court legacy
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How the Martin Luther King Jr. birthday became a holiday

The fight to make the Martin Luther King Jr. birthday a holiday took 32 years, a lot of campaigning, and guest appearances…

How the Martin Luther King Jr. birthday became a holiday
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10 essential facts about Alexander Hamilton on his birthday

On this day in 1755 or 1757, Alexander Hamilton was born in the Caribbean. If you need a quick primer on Hamilton, here are the…

10 essential facts about Alexander Hamilton on his birthday
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On this day, Theodore Roosevelt dies unexpectedly

On January 6, 1919, Theodore Roosevelt died suddenly in his sleep at the age of 60. Overlooked now is that fact that the former…

On this day, Theodore Roosevelt dies unexpectedly
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Regardless of Trump cases, Supreme Court stakes are huge in 2024

When the U.S. Supreme Court term began last fall, the docket contained a number of major cases but had little of the potential…

Regardless of Trump cases, Supreme Court stakes are huge in 2024
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On this day, massive raids during the Red Scare

The Constitution faced a major test on this day in 1920 when raids ordered by Attorney General Mitchell Palmer saw thousands of…

On this day, massive raids during the Red Scare
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10 fascinating facts about Woodrow Wilson

On the occasion of his birthday, Constitution Daily looks at some unusual facts related to one of the more controversial…

10 fascinating facts about Woodrow Wilson
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Supreme Court preview for January 2024

In one of the biggest cases of the current term, the Supreme Court’s calendar for January 2024 features arguments about the…

Supreme Court preview for January 2024
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On this day, the Supreme Court issues the Korematsu decision

In December 1944, the Supreme Court handed down one of its most controversial decisions, which upheld the constitutionality of…

On this day, the Supreme Court issues the Korematsu decision
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On this day, the Boston Tea Party lights a fuse

On December 16, 1773, a group of Colonists destroyed a large British tea shipment in Boston harbor. So did this act of defiance…

On this day, the Boston Tea Party lights a fuse
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Happy birthday, Bill of Rights!

Today we celebrate the anniversary of the first 10 amendments, known as the Bill of Rights (ratified December 15, 1791). Here’s…

Happy birthday, Bill of Rights!
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Five items Congress deleted from Madison’s original Bill of Rights

When James Madison spoke to the First Congress he proposed nearly 20 amendments as a Bill of Rights, and not the 10 we all know…

Five items Congress deleted from Madison’s original Bill of Rights
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Sandra Day O’Connor’s role in landmark Supreme Court cases

The late Justice Sandra Day O’Connor played a key role in some of the Supreme Court’s major decisions during her nearly 25…

Sandra Day O’Connor’s role in landmark Supreme Court cases
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The mysterious death of George Washington

On December 14, 1799, George Washington died at his home after a brief illness and after losing about 40 percent of his blood. So…

The mysterious death of George Washington
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America’s relic: The story of the Lincoln catafalque

On Dec. 19, 2023, the late Justice Sandra Day O’Connor will lie in repose at the Supreme Court upon the Lincoln catafalque. The…

America’s relic: The story of the Lincoln catafalque
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On this day, Bush v. Gore settles 2000 presidential race

On December 12, 2000, the Supreme Court ended a Florida vote recount in the presidential election contest between George W. Bush…

On this day, Bush v. Gore settles 2000 presidential race
Blog
Did a Supreme Court decision change the rules for holiday displays?

Each December, there are several disputes about the use of religious symbols in holiday displays in public locations. But did last…

Did a Supreme Court decision change the rules for holiday displays?
Blog
Happy birthday to the Founders’ painter, Gilbert Stuart

It’s quite possible that many Americans have seen the art work of Gilbert Stuart more than any other painter. But what do you…

Happy birthday to the Founders’ painter, Gilbert Stuart
Blog
Retired Associate Justice Sandra Day O’Connor passes away at 93

The Supreme Court announced this morning that retired Associate Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, who left the bench in 2006, has…

Retired Associate Justice Sandra Day O’Connor passes away at 93
Blog
On this day, the 25th Amendment gets its first test

On November 27, 1973, the United States Senate became the first legislative house to act under the 25th Amendment, when it voted…

On this day, the 25th Amendment gets its first test
Blog
Remembering Zachary Taylor: Military hero, obscure President

On November 24, 1784, future President Zachary Taylor was born in Virginia. Taylor became an unexpected obstacle to slavery’s…

Remembering Zachary Taylor: Military hero, obscure President
Blog
Chester Alan Arthur’s brave, short presidency

Fewer leaders had lower public expectations than Chester Alan Arthur, but fewer people knew the 21st President was dealing with a…

Chester Alan Arthur’s brave, short presidency
Blog
Looking at the Supreme Court’s next session

The next round of oral arguments at the Supreme Court starts on November 27, 2023, and there’s plenty on the docket. The…

Looking at the Supreme Court’s next session
Blog
The Constitution and federal government shutdowns

On Tuesday, the House of Representatives passed a continuing resolution to fund the federal government into early 2024, pending…

The Constitution and federal government shutdowns
Blog
Benjamin Franklin’s last great quote and the Constitution

It was on this day in 1789 that Founding Father Benjamin Franklin wrote what was probably his last great quote, a saying about the…

Benjamin Franklin’s last great quote and the Constitution
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On this day, Supreme Court upholds baseball’s antitrust exemption

On November 9, 1953, the United States Supreme Court upheld a prior, controversial decision that allowed major league baseball to…

On this day, Supreme Court upholds baseball’s antitrust exemption
Blog
Supreme Court’s new gun test gets airing in a domestic violence case

The U.S. Supreme Court’s new test for weighing the constitutionality of gun regulations comes face-to-face on Tuesday with the…

Supreme Court’s new gun test gets airing in a domestic violence case
Blog
On This Day, Abraham Lincoln is elected President

On November 6, 1860, voters in the United States went to the polls in an election that ended with Abraham Lincoln as President, in…

On This Day, Abraham Lincoln is elected President
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On This Day: The first bitter, contested presidential election takes place

In a campaign that rivals any current presidential election for insults and rancor, John Adams defeated Thomas Jefferson on this…

On This Day: The first bitter, contested presidential election takes place
Blog
On This Day: Supreme Court says tax-paying American Indians can’t vote

On November 3, 1884, the United States Supreme Court issued one of its most controversial decisions, stating that American Indians…

On This Day: Supreme Court says tax-paying American Indians can’t vote
Blog
Two Presidents share the same birthday, but little else

Presidents James Knox Polk and Warren Gamaliel Harding have one thing in common aside from a stay in the White House: the same…

Two Presidents share the same birthday, but little else
Blog
Supreme Court to decide when public officials officially act on social media pages

James Freed, appointed city manager of Port Huron, Michigan, in 2014, and Michelle O’Connor-Ratcliff and T.J. Zane, elected…

Supreme Court to decide when public officials officially act on social media pages
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Judy Woodruff and David Rubenstein honored with 2023 Liberty Medal

The National Constitution Center honored acclaimed journalist Judy Woodruff and patriotic philanthropist and business leader David…

Judy Woodruff and David Rubenstein honored with 2023 Liberty Medal
Blog
On This Day: Senate rejects Robert Bork for the Supreme Court

On October 23, 1987, the United States Senate held one of the most-controversial votes on a Supreme Court nominee in its history,…

On This Day: Senate rejects Robert Bork for the Supreme Court
Blog
The Louisiana Purchase: Jefferson’s constitutional gamble

On October 20, 1803, the Senate ratified a treaty with France, promoted by President Thomas Jefferson, that doubled the size of…

The Louisiana Purchase: Jefferson’s constitutional gamble
Blog
Remembering William Seward’s Alaska ‘folly’

In today’s popular culture, William Seward is best known for his association with Abraham Lincoln. But his name is also forever…

Remembering William Seward’s Alaska ‘folly’
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Why the Supreme Court starts on the first Monday in October

Each year, the Supreme Court starts its new term on the first Monday of the month of October, an annual event that goes back to…

Why the Supreme Court starts on the first Monday in October
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The Speaker of the House’s Constitutional Role

The current controversy over the Speaker of the House of Representatives has highlighted that position’s role as one of the most…

The Speaker of the House’s Constitutional Role
Blog
Rutherford B. Hayes: Controversial and little remembered

Today marks the birthday of the one of the most controversial U.S. presidents, Rutherford B. Hayes, who took office amid a…

Rutherford B. Hayes: Controversial and little remembered
Blog
Supreme Court Preview of the 2023-2024 Term

On October 2, 2023, the Supreme Court starts a new term as it considers another round of significant cases that could have a…

Supreme Court Preview of the 2023-2024 Term
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The Emancipation Proclamation’s other anniversary

President Abraham Lincoln altered the course of the Civil War and American society when the Emancipation Proclamation was issued…

The Emancipation Proclamation’s other anniversary
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Five lessons we can learn from George Washington’s Farewell Address

On September 19, 1796, a Philadelphia newspaper published one of the greatest documents in American history: George Washington’s…

Five lessons we can learn from George Washington’s Farewell Address
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10 birthday facts about President and Chief Justice William Howard Taft

William Howard Taft is a truly unique American figure who led two branches of government, was a wrestling champion and the…

10 birthday facts about President and Chief Justice William Howard Taft
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The National Constitution Center’s First Amendment Summit

On Sept. 13, 2023, the National Constitution Center, in partnership with a coalition of leading free speech organizations,…

The National Constitution Center’s First Amendment Summit
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The Story of Constitution Day and Citizenship Day

Each September, Americans commemorate the anniversary of the signing of the Constitution with two federally recognized…

The Story of Constitution Day and Citizenship Day
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On this day, Supreme Court orders Little Rock desegregation

On September 12, 1958, a unanimous Supreme Court declined a Little Rock School District request to delay desegregation mandated by…

On this day, Supreme Court orders Little Rock desegregation
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Supreme Court culture war rulings keep lawsuits flowing

The summer of 2023 has been an unusual season of fallout from recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions about guns, abortion, religion,…

Supreme Court culture war rulings keep lawsuits flowing
Blog
Constitutional cases resulting from the 9/11 attacks

On September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks carried out against the United States would become the catalyst for at least two wars,…

Constitutional cases resulting from the 9/11 attacks
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On this day, McKinley is shot while Roosevelt is traveling

On September 6, 1901, the popular President William McKinley was shot at the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, while his Vice…

On this day, McKinley is shot while Roosevelt is traveling
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10 fascinating facts about the Labor Day holiday

The first Monday in September is celebrated nationally as Labor Day. So how did we get the holiday and why is no one quite sure…

10 fascinating facts about the Labor Day holiday
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Aaron Burr’s trial and the Constitution’s treason clause

It was on this day in 1807 that former Vice President Aaron Burr was acquitted of treason charges. The trial was truly a “Trial…

Aaron Burr’s trial and the Constitution’s treason clause
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Thurgood Marshall’s unique Supreme Court legacy

On August 30, 1967, the Senate confirmed Thurgood Marshall as the first Black person to serve as a Supreme Court Justice. Marshall…

Thurgood Marshall’s unique Supreme Court legacy
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On this day, the British set fire to Washington, D.C.

The United States capital of Washington, D.C., burned on this day in 1814, but it may have been an act of nature that forced the…

On this day, the British set fire to Washington, D.C.
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On this day, the state of Franklin starts its brief existence

On August 23, 1784, the self-proclaimed state of Franklin broke away from North Carolina and attempted an experiment at self-rule,…

On this day, the state of Franklin starts its brief existence
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State courts, voters increasingly turning to state constitutions to protect rights

Nearly 50 years ago, Justice William Brennan Jr. urged lawyers and others to look to state constitutions for more protection of…

State courts, voters increasingly turning to state constitutions to protect rights
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The vote that led to the 19th Amendment

On the anniversary of the 19th Amendment’s ratification, we look back at a young politician whose unexpected vote in the…

The vote that led to the 19th Amendment
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On this day, the 19th Amendment joins the Constitution

On this day in 1920, Tennessee became the 36th state to ratify the 19th Amendment, ensuring that the amendment guaranteeing a…

On this day, the 19th Amendment joins the Constitution
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The Espionage Act’s constitutional legacy

One of the federal government’s most powerful laws is also known as one of its most controversial statutes: the Espionage Act.

The Espionage Act’s constitutional legacy
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On this day, the Sons of Liberty take over Boston

There were a lot of events that led to American Independence, but it was on this date that the seeds of revolution were planted in…

On this day, the Sons of Liberty take over Boston
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10 birthday facts about President Herbert Hoover

A millionaire businessman becomes President in this first try at an elected office. That’s one of 10 fascinating facts about…

10 birthday facts about President Herbert Hoover
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The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution and the limits of presidential power

It was on this day in 1964 that a joint session of Congress approved the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, an act that led to the Vietnam…

The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution and the limits of presidential power
Blog
Blame Abraham Lincoln for the nation’s first national Income Tax

Most people aren’t big fans of a national income tax, but it was on this day back in 1861 that the first one was levied by the…

Blame Abraham Lincoln for the nation’s first national Income Tax
Blog
On this day, the Declaration of Independence is officially signed

August 2, 1776 is one of the most important but least celebrated days in American history, when 56 members of the Second…

On this day, the Declaration of Independence is officially signed
Blog
Did Congress invade the judicial power to protect a pipeline?

A political deal to secure the vote of a Democratic senator in the recent debt ceiling battle has teed up a U.S. Supreme Court…

Did Congress invade the judicial power to protect a pipeline?
Blog
A birthday tribute to the Founding Father of gerrymandering

It’s the birthday of a Founding Father whose name you know today as part of a controversial political term.

A birthday tribute to the Founding Father of gerrymandering
Blog
The 303 Creative decision and expressive conduct

Last week, a 6-3 Supreme Court said the First Amendment allows a business offering “expressive” services to discriminate based…

The 303 Creative decision and expressive conduct
Blog
10 fascinating facts about the Declaration of Independence

July 4th marks the annual holiday that celebrates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. So how much do you know about…

10 fascinating facts about the Declaration of Independence
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Looking back: George Carlin and the Supreme Court

On July 3, 1978, the Supreme Court issued its historic verdict in the George Carlin “seven dirty words” case, a decision that…

Looking back: George Carlin and the Supreme Court
Blog
Supreme Court rules against Biden administration’s student loan forgiveness program

A divided Supreme Court on Friday has struck down an expansive debt-relief program for student loans created during the Covid-19…

Supreme Court rules against Biden administration’s student loan forgiveness program
Blog
Significant Supreme Court cases in the 2022-2023 term

With the Supreme Court approaching the start of summer, the justices will likely decide the Court’s major remaining cases by…

Significant Supreme Court cases in the 2022-2023 term
Blog
William Howard Taft’s truly historic ‘double-double’

On June 30, 1921, President Warren Harding announced that former President William Howard Taft would become the new Chief Justice…

William Howard Taft’s truly historic ‘double-double’
Blog
Supreme Court rules against universities in affirmative action decision

A divided Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that the use of affirmative action in admissions programs at two universities was…

Supreme Court rules against universities in affirmative action decision
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On this day, Supreme Court temporarily finds death penalty unconstitutional

On June 29, 1972, the Court decided in a complicated ruling, Furman v. Georgia, that the death penalty application in three cases…

On this day, Supreme Court temporarily finds death penalty unconstitutional
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On this day, a divided Supreme Court rules on the Second Amendment

On June 28, 2010, a deeply divided Supreme Court upholds gun-ownership rights within homes on a national basis, expanding on a…

On this day, a divided Supreme Court rules on the Second Amendment
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When the Supreme Court first ruled on affirmative action

On June 28, 1978, the Supreme Court ruled in Regents of the University of California v. Bakke, laying the groundwork for…

When the Supreme Court first ruled on affirmative action
Blog
On this day, the Supreme Court reinforces the 10th Amendment

Setting a precedent with important implications today, the Supreme Court’s decision from 1997 in Printz v. United States…

On this day, the Supreme Court reinforces the 10th Amendment
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On this day, the Supreme Court redefines eminent domain

On June 23, 2005, the Supreme Court ruled in the controversial, landmark case of Kelo v. City of New London, redefining

On this day, the Supreme Court redefines eminent domain
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The Supreme Court’s other recent major civil rights decision

The U.S. Supreme Court’s recent and surprising voting rights decision overshadowed another civil rights victory that same day, a…

The Supreme Court’s other recent major civil rights decision
Blog
The history of legal challenges to the Pledge of Allegiance

The Pledge of Allegiance to the United States’ flag has been part of American life for generations, but not without some…

The history of legal challenges to the Pledge of Allegiance
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How much do you know about the American flag?

In honor of Flag Day, here are 10 fascinating facts about the Stars and Stripes that may surprise you!

How much do you know about the American flag?
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On this day, a committee forms to write the Declaration of Independence

On June 11, 1776, the Second Continental Congress asked five delegates to write the draft version of the Declaration of…

On this day, a committee forms to write the Declaration of Independence
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On this day: James Madison introduces the Bill of Rights

On June 8, 1789, James Madison addressed the House of Representatives and introduced a proposed Bill of Rights to the…

On this day: James Madison introduces the Bill of Rights
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On this day, all American Indians made United States citizens

On June 2, 1924, President Calvin Coolidge signed into law the Indian Citizenship Act, which marked the end of a long debate and…

On this day, all American Indians made United States citizens
Blog
Two unusual murder cases and the death penalty’s constitutionality

Eight years ago, a divided U.S. Supreme Court rejected death row inmate Richard Glossip’s claim that a drug used in Oklahoma…

Two unusual murder cases and the death penalty’s constitutionality
Blog
Lincoln and Taney’s great writ showdown

On May 28, 1861, Supreme Court Chief Justice Roger Taney directly challenged President Abraham Lincoln’s wartime suspension of…

Lincoln and Taney’s great writ showdown
Blog
The origins of the Memorial Day holiday

For many people, Memorial Day is the symbol of summer’s start. What’s lost to some today is its original meaning - and day.

The origins of the Memorial Day holiday
Blog
A look at landmark Supreme Court cases on race and the Constitution

As the U.S. Supreme Court considers two important cases about affirmative action and higher education, Constitution Daily looks at…

A look at landmark Supreme Court cases on race and the Constitution
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On this day, the Constitutional Convention began

It was on this day in 1787 when the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia started in earnest and the first votes were taken at…

On this day, the Constitutional Convention began
Blog
How the Supreme Court upheld Social Security

On May 24, 1937, the Supreme Court decided in two separate but related cases that the Social Security Act of 1935 was…

How the Supreme Court upheld Social Security
Blog
Brown v. Board: When the Supreme Court ruled against segregation

The decision of Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka on May 17, 1954 is perhaps the most famous of all Supreme Court cases, as it…

Brown v. Board: When the Supreme Court ruled against segregation
Blog
The day the Supreme Court killed Hollywood’s studio system

Today marks the anniversary of an important Supreme Court case that helped to end the Hollywood studio system and fuel a young…

The day the Supreme Court killed Hollywood’s studio system
Blog
Could fishing companies upset a boatload of federal agencies with their Supreme Court challenge?

A group of commercial fishing companies soon will have the opportunity to persuade the Supreme Court of the United States to do…

Could fishing companies upset a boatload of federal agencies with their Supreme Court challenge?
Blog
10 fascinating facts about President Ulysses Grant

Today marks the birthday of Ulysses Grant, who played a unique role in American history. Here is a look at a military leader who…

10 fascinating facts about President Ulysses Grant
Blog
Do You Have a Constitutional Right to Honk Your Car Horn?

A lawsuit in California about the use of a car horn at a political protest is bringing back a contested question involving the…

Do You Have a Constitutional Right to Honk Your Car Horn?
Blog
10 facts about Thomas Jefferson for his birthday

On the occasion of Thomas Jefferson’s birthday, we have 10 interesting facts about the versatile Founding Father.

10 facts about Thomas Jefferson for his birthday
Blog
Is Aaron Burr really the father of the filibuster?

How did the Senate get the filibuster? The unique procedure may have been created thanks to some comments made by Aaron Burr.

Is Aaron Burr really the father of the filibuster?
Blog
On this day, Supreme Court reviews redistricting

On March 26, 1962, the Supreme Court decided Baker v. Carr, finding that it had the power to review the redistricting of state…

On this day, Supreme Court reviews redistricting
Blog
Redcoats in the house? Some myths behind the Third Amendment

Could British troops evict colonists from their homes, eat their food and use their facilities? That’s not exactly true, even…

Redcoats in the house? Some myths behind the Third Amendment
Blog
On this day, Patrick Henry’s most-famous quote

On March 23, 1775, Patrick Henry signaled the coming revolution when he spoke at a Virginia convention and allegedly implored:…

On this day, Patrick Henry’s most-famous quote
Blog
Thomas McKean: A Founding Father with a double life

Thomas McKean was a President before George Washington and supported judicial review before John Marshall. But today, McKean is…

Thomas McKean: A Founding Father with a double life
Blog
A salute to the four Founding Fathers born in Ireland

When the Constitutional Convention met in Philadelphia in 1787, half of its foreign-born delegates were born in Ireland. For St.…

A salute to the four Founding Fathers born in Ireland
Blog
The man who delivered California to the U.S., and was fired for it

On March 10, 1848, the Senate approved a treaty that led to California and much of the Southwest joining the United States. But…

The man who delivered California to the U.S., and was fired for it
Blog
An important date in Supreme Court history for the press

Today is the anniversary of one of the most important decisions in Supreme Court history that affected the civil rights movement…

An important date in Supreme Court history for the press
Blog
Impending Texas abortion decision could be headed toward Supreme Court

Some justices on the U.S. Supreme Court may have thought—or hoped—that overturning the abortion rights landmark decision, Roe…

Impending Texas abortion decision could be headed toward Supreme Court
Blog
Gibbons v. Ogden: Defining Congress’ power under the Commerce Clause

On March 2, 1824, the Supreme Court ruled in Gibbons v. Ogden, holding that Congress may regulate interstate commerce.

Gibbons v. Ogden: Defining Congress’ power under the Commerce Clause
Blog
On this day: Term limits for American Presidents

On this day in 1951, the 22nd Amendment was ratified, limiting the number of terms served by the President. The move ended a…

On this day: Term limits for American Presidents
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On this day: A tied presidential election ends in Washington

It was on this day in 1801 that the House finally decided a tied presidential election because of a constitutional flaw: the…

On this day: A tied presidential election ends in Washington
Blog
On this day, women first allowed to argue Supreme Court cases

On February 15, 1879, President Rutherford B. Hayes signed a new law that would admit women as members of the Supreme Court bar…

On this day, women first allowed to argue Supreme Court cases
Blog
Remembering William Henry Harrison: The most obscure President?

On February 9, 1773, future U.S. president William Henry Harrison was born in Virginia. The enigmatic Harrison is best known for…

Remembering William Henry Harrison: The most obscure President?
Blog
Looking back at the last presidential election settled by the House

It was on this day that a constitutional crisis was averted when the relatively new 12th Amendment to the Constitution settled the…

Looking back at the last presidential election settled by the House
Blog
Who were the first six Supreme Court justices?

It was on this day in 1790 that the United States Supreme Court opened for business. The court back then bared little resemblance…

Who were the first six Supreme Court justices?
Blog
On This Day, Justice Joseph McKenna joins the Supreme Court

On this day in 1898, Joseph McKenna took his oath and joined the Supreme Court to fill the vacancy of Justice Stephen Field.

On This Day, Justice Joseph McKenna joins the Supreme Court
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On this day, the Roe v. Wade decision

On January 22, 1973, the Supreme Court handed down a decision that continues to divide the nation to this day.

On this day, the Roe v. Wade decision
Blog
Ben Franklin’s best inventions and innovations

In his day, Benjamin Franklin was Steve Jobs, Thomas Edison, Mark Zuckerberg, and Henry Ford, all rolled into one. Here’s a look…

Ben Franklin’s best inventions and innovations
Blog
Happy birthday to the 18th Amendment!

It was on this day in 1919 that the Constitution gained a new amendment. However, the 18th Amendment, which made Prohibition the…

Happy birthday to the 18th Amendment!
Blog
On this day, Congress beats deadline to end Revolutionary War

On January 14, 1784, the Continental Congress barely met a deadline to ratify the Treaty of Paris, which officially ended the…

On this day, Congress beats deadline to end Revolutionary War
Blog
On this day, the first woman is directly elected to the Senate

On January 12, 1932, a recent widow became the first woman to win election to the United States Senate, when Hattie Ophelia Wyatt…

On this day, the first woman is directly elected to the Senate
Blog
Thomas Paine: The original publishing viral superstar

On January 9, 1776, the publication of Thomas Paine’s Common Sense became the first viral mass communications event in America,…

Thomas Paine: The original publishing viral superstar
Blog
In U.S. Supreme Court arguments, some unexpected truths about the judicial system

In the U.S. Supreme Court, oral arguments usually focus on one or two legal questions that the justices have agreed to decide. But…

In U.S. Supreme Court arguments, some unexpected truths about the judicial system
Blog
The Speaker of the House and the Constitution

The current controversy over the Speaker of the House of Representatives has highlighted that position’s role as one of the most…

The Speaker of the House and the Constitution
Blog
Happy statehood birthday, Alaska!

It was on this day in 1959 that Alaska was admitted to the union as the 49th state- ending a process that started 13 years…

Happy statehood birthday, Alaska!
Blog
Seven People Who Declined Supreme Court Confirmations

Since 1789, the Senate has confirmed 128 nominations to the Supreme Court, but seven successful nominees never took an oath of…

Seven People Who Declined Supreme Court Confirmations
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On this day, the Emancipation Proclamation changes history

January 1 is one of the most noteworthy days in American history, marking President Abraham Lincoln’s decision to issue the…

On this day, the Emancipation Proclamation changes history
Blog
The Gadsden Purchase and a failed attempt at a southern railroad

On December 30, 1853, a treaty was signed where Mexico sold the United States 29,000 square miles of territory for what eventually…

The Gadsden Purchase and a failed attempt at a southern railroad
Blog
America’s “forgotten war” ended on this day, and few people knew

On December 24, 1814, the Treaty of Ghent officially ended the War of 1812, but the delayed news couldn’t stop nearly 1,000…

America’s “forgotten war” ended on this day, and few people knew
Blog
Is the Supreme Court Ready to Reshape the Social Media Landscape?

Free speech has been a major factor behind the internet’s dramatic growth in the past 25 years. But two cases at the Supreme…

Is the Supreme Court Ready to Reshape the Social Media Landscape?
Blog
On this day, the Louisiana Purchase is completed

Life in the newly formed United States changed forever on December 20, 1803 when the American flag flew over New Orleans,…

On this day, the Louisiana Purchase is completed
Blog
Looking Ahead: A Supreme Court Preview for 2023

The Supreme Court has been front and center in recent years due to a series of landmark decisions, and the year 2023 will likely…

Looking Ahead: A Supreme Court Preview for 2023
Blog
Filibustering in the Modern Senate

In the first two parts of Constitution Daily’s series on the filibuster, we looked at its origins in the earliest sessions of…

Filibustering in the Modern Senate
Blog
The Classic Age of the Filibuster

In part two of a special three-part series, Constitution Daily looks at the filibuster’s emergence in the Senate era of…

The Classic Age of the Filibuster
Blog
The Previous Question: The Filibuster’s Early Murky History

One of the classic images in modern film is from Frank Capra’s Mr. Smith Goes to Washington from 1939, when Jimmy Stewart’s…

The Previous Question: The Filibuster’s Early Murky History
Blog
Five interesting facts about Prohibition’s end in 1933

On December 5, 1933, three states voted to repeal Prohibition, putting the ratification of the 21st Amendment into place. But did…

Five interesting facts about Prohibition’s end in 1933
Blog
On this day, the Whig Party becomes a national force

On December 4, 1839, the Whig Party held its first national convention, an important milestone in its rise to political power.

On this day, the Whig Party becomes a national force
Blog
On this day, Rosa Parks wouldn’t give up her bus seat

Today marks the anniversary of Rosa Parks’ decision to sit down for her rights on a Montgomery, Alabama, bus, putting the effort…

On this day, Rosa Parks wouldn’t give up her bus seat
Blog
Winston Churchill on why the American Constitution matters

On the anniversary of his birth, Constitution Daily looks back at what the British leader and author Sir Winston Churchill had to…

Winston Churchill on why the American Constitution matters
Blog
Was Washington’s Thanksgiving Proclamation the first Executive Order?

This Thursday, Americans celebrate a Thanksgiving holiday that has its roots in colonial traditions. But was that holiday actually…

Was Washington’s Thanksgiving Proclamation the first Executive Order?
Blog
How JFK’s assassination led to a constitutional amendment

President John F. Kennedy’s death on November 22, 1963 traumatized a nation and led a united Congress to make a key…

How JFK’s assassination led to a constitutional amendment
Blog
Myths and mysteries about the Gettysburg Address

On this day in 1863, Abraham Lincoln gave his Gettysburg Address, widely considered one of the greatest speeches in American…

Myths and mysteries about the Gettysburg Address
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10 reasons why America’s first constitution failed

It was on this day in 1777 that the Articles of Confederation, the first American constitution, was sent to the 13 states for…

10 reasons why America’s first constitution failed
Blog
How Americans fought to restore Veterans Day to November 11

Millions of Americans will take time out to honor our military on the traditional time of 11:11 a.m. on November 11. But there was…

How Americans fought to restore Veterans Day to November 11
Blog
Ukraine President Zelenskyy honored with 2022 Liberty Medal

The National Constitution Center honored Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the 34th annual Liberty Medal ceremony on…

Ukraine President Zelenskyy honored with 2022 Liberty Medal
Blog
On This Day: The Stamp Act plants seeds of the Revolution

On November 1, 1765, the hated Stamp Act authorized by King George III went into effect in the colonies, despite months of…

On This Day: The Stamp Act plants seeds of the Revolution
Blog
Happy birthday to the Statue of Liberty!

It’s hard to imagine America without the Statue of Liberty, but the icon of freedom didn’t make official public debut until…

Happy birthday to the Statue of Liberty!
Blog
On this day, West Virginia starts controversial statehood process

On October 24, 1861, a group of delegates in 39 Virginia counties decided to start the process of forming their own state during…

On this day, West Virginia starts controversial statehood process
Blog
The First Amendment and school library book policies

Book selections at public school libraries are back in the headlines after a new lawsuit is questioning the constitutional power…

The First Amendment and school library book policies
Blog
Zelenskyy latest in long line of Liberty Medal winners

In early November, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will receive the National Constitution Center’s 2022 Liberty Medal,…

Zelenskyy latest in long line of Liberty Medal winners
Blog
Franklin Pierce’s murky legacy as President

On this day in 1869, former President Franklin Pierce passed away in New Hampshire. Pierce was regarded as an ethical hard worker,…

Franklin Pierce’s murky legacy as President
Blog
Two Justices Issue Challenge on Race

By tradition, U.S. Supreme Court justices do not speak to each other about cases they will decide until after oral arguments. But…

Two Justices Issue Challenge on Race
Blog
On this day: “No taxation without representation!”

The Stamp Act Congress met on this day in New York in 1765, a meeting that led nine Colonies to declare the English Crown had no…

On this day: “No taxation without representation!”
Blog
The Youngstown Case: Three Approaches to Interpreting Presidential Power

Understanding why the justices reigned in the president in 1952, and how they interpreted the Constitution in doing so, helps us…

The Youngstown Case: Three Approaches to Interpreting Presidential Power
Blog
Chester Alan Arthur: Obscure or underrated?

If you are a presidential historian or a fan of facial hair, you probably know a little about Chester Alan Arthur. For the rest of…

Chester Alan Arthur: Obscure or underrated?
Blog
Will the New U.S. Supreme Court Deliver More Jolts to the Legal System?

After an intense blockbuster U.S. Supreme Court term, like the one just ended, the justices often have opted for a low key term.…

Will the New U.S. Supreme Court Deliver More Jolts to the Legal System?
Blog
On this day, the Confederation Congress agrees to a new Constitution

On September 28, 1787, the congress under our first constitution, the Articles of Confederation, agreed to submit a new…

On this day, the Confederation Congress agrees to a new Constitution
Blog
When Supreme Court justices have disagreed about the American flag

Should Americans be forced to pledge allegiance to the American flag or be allowed to deface the flag as a sign or protest? What…

When Supreme Court justices have disagreed about the American flag
Blog
On this day, the transition begins to our Constitutional government

The date of September 13, 1788 isn’t celebrated as a major anniversary in American history, but it was a big day in the creation…

On this day, the transition begins to our Constitutional government
Blog
10 fascinating facts about President Lyndon B. Johnson

On the occasion of President Lyndon Johnson’s birthday, the National Constitution Center looks at 10 interesting facts about one…

10 fascinating facts about President Lyndon B. Johnson
Blog
Why is August 26 known as Women’s Equality Day?

The 19th Amendment gave women the right to vote nationally on August 18, 1920, so why is Women’s Equality Day on August 26th…

Why is August 26 known as Women’s Equality Day?
Blog
10 fascinating facts about Watergate

On June 17, 1972, police caught five men breaking into the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate complex in…

10 fascinating facts about Watergate
Blog
Generations later, President Warren Harding’s sudden death recalled

On the evening of August 2, 1923, President Warren Harding died in a San Francisco hotel room. Beyond that, the details of the…

Generations later, President Warren Harding’s sudden death recalled
Blog
The Justices’ faith and their Religion Clause decisions

After a recent television discussion of the religion decisions by the U.S. Supreme Court in the just-ended term, a viewer wrote in…

The Justices’ faith and their Religion Clause decisions
Blog
Supreme Court declines challenge to landmark media libel law

For now, the Supreme Court will not reconsider a landmark decision, New York Times v. Sullivan, that protects media outlets from…

Supreme Court declines challenge to landmark media libel law
Blog
Three Presidents Die on July 4th: Just a Coincidence?

It is a fact of American history that three of the five Founding Father Presidents died on Independence Day. But was it just a…

Three Presidents Die on July 4th: Just a Coincidence?
Blog
A look back at Justice Sandra Day O’Connor’s court legacy

It was on this day that Sandra Day O’Connor announced her retirement from the U.S. Supreme Court.

A look back at Justice Sandra Day O’Connor’s court legacy
Blog
With abortion and guns, the Supreme Court ties the hands of federal courts

After the U.S. Supreme Court’s conservative majority struck down New York’s concealed carry gun law and revoked women’s…

With abortion and guns, the Supreme Court ties the hands of federal courts
Blog
A short list of overturned Supreme Court landmark decisions

With the Supreme Court overruling Roe v. Wade, a look back at overturned landmark cases shows the rarity of such actions.

A short list of overturned Supreme Court landmark decisions
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Divided Supreme Court overturns Roe abortion precedents

The Supreme Court on Friday issued its opinion in the Dobbs v. Jackson case, overturning precedents related to abortion first set…

Divided Supreme Court overturns Roe abortion precedents
Blog
When the term ends, what will you think of your Supreme Court?

The U.S. Supreme Court may wrap up its term in the next two weeks and many in the nation are watching closely for potential…

When the term ends, what will you think of your Supreme Court?
Blog
An important landmark anniversary for the National Guard

It was on this day in 1916 that the National Guard officially got its name after Congress passed an important, if not overlooked,…

An important landmark anniversary for the National Guard
Blog
On this day, Supreme Court invalidates key FDR program

On May 28, 1935, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down an important part of President Franklin Roosevelt’s NIRA plan, when the…

On this day, Supreme Court invalidates key FDR program
Blog
The Supreme Court’s Self-Inflicted Harms

The recent, leaked draft abortion opinion undoubtedly brings internal harm to the U.S. Supreme Court and external harm to its…

The Supreme Court’s Self-Inflicted Harms
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Significant Supreme Court Cases Remaining in the 2021-2022 Term

With the Supreme Court approaching the start of summer, the justices will likely decide the court’s major remaining cases by…

Significant Supreme Court Cases Remaining in the 2021-2022 Term
Blog
On this day, the Pullman Strike changes labor law

On May 11, 1894, several thousand train workers started an unannounced strike at the Pullman Company in Illinois.  Over the next…

On this day, the Pullman Strike changes labor law
Blog
Remarks from the First Amendment Tablet ceremony

On May 2, 2022, National Constitution Center president and CEO Jeffrey Rosen spoke at the dedication ceremony for newly installed…

Remarks from the First Amendment Tablet ceremony
Blog
The U.S. Supreme Court Cases Built on a “Rotten Foundation”

The U.S. Supreme Court has a number of old decisions that the justices no longer apply because time and the nation’s…

The U.S. Supreme Court Cases Built on a “Rotten Foundation”
Blog
Elon Musk Is Right That Twitter Should Follow the First Amendment

National Constitution Center President and CEO Jeffrey Rosen writes that Elon Musk, in his effort to buy Twitter, has signaled…

Elon Musk Is Right That Twitter Should Follow the First Amendment
Blog
Happy birthday to First United States Congress

On this day in 1789, the First Congress under our current Constitution met in its first joint session in New York and undertook an…

Happy birthday to First United States Congress
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The day that Martin Luther King Jr. died

It was 51 years ago today that civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. was killed by an assassin’s bullet in Memphis. The…

The day that Martin Luther King Jr. died
Blog
The most obscure Amendment?

On March 29, 1961, Ohio and Kansas voted to ratify the Constitution’s 23rd Amendment. Today, that amendment remains obscure and…

The most obscure Amendment?
Blog
A tale of a giant cheese, a loaf of bread and the First Amendment

Today marks an interesting anniversary in U.S. history—the first known appearance of a huge loaf of bread at the White House, as…

A tale of a giant cheese, a loaf of bread and the First Amendment
Blog
Make Time for Judge Jackson’s Supreme Court Confirmation Hearings

U.S. Senate confirmation hearings on Supreme Court nominees have been called a “Kabuki dance,” a subtle minuet,” and even a…

Make Time for Judge Jackson’s Supreme Court Confirmation Hearings
Blog
10 fascinating facts about Grover Cleveland, the only double President

Grover Cleveland stands alone in American history as the only President to serve non-consecutive terms. On the anniversary of his…

10 fascinating facts about Grover Cleveland, the only double President
Blog
10 birthday facts about James Madison

James Madison, the father of the Constitution, has a birthday today. How much do you know about the fourth President?

10 birthday facts about James Madison
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10 birthday facts about President Andrew Jackson

Andrew Jackson, the seventh president, has a birthday today. But how much do you know about one of the most controversial…

10 birthday facts about President Andrew Jackson
Blog
On this day, the Supreme Court speaks on the First Amendment

On March 3, 1919, the Supreme Court decided Schenck v. United States, the first in a line of major First Amendment cases to…

On this day, the Supreme Court speaks on the First Amendment
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On this day, the Missouri Compromise is approved

On March 3, 1820, Congress approved the Missouri compromise, a law that maintained a balance in the Senate between free and slave…

On this day, the Missouri Compromise is approved
Blog
Marbury v. Madison and the independent Supreme Court

On February 24, 1803, Chief Justice John Marshall issued the Supreme Court’s decision in Marbury v. Madison, establishing the…

Marbury v. Madison and the independent Supreme Court
Blog
On this day, the Supreme Court upholds limits on women and factory work hours

On February 24, 1908, the Supreme Court decided Muller v. Oregon, unanimously upholding an Oregon law setting a 10-hour limit on…

On this day, the Supreme Court upholds limits on women and factory work hours
Blog
Supreme Court to hear major challenge to federal regulatory powers

At first glance, climate change and vaccine mandates seem to have nothing in common, but the two are linked in a U.S. Supreme…

Supreme Court to hear major challenge to federal regulatory powers
Blog
10 people who very nearly became president

Constitution Daily looks at two “what if” scenarios that would have given us 10 different Presidents through history. What…

10 people who very nearly became president
Blog
Forgotten Founders: Phillis Wheatley, African-American Poet of the Revolution

Phillis Wheatley was the first globally recognized African American female poet. She came to prominence during the American…

Forgotten Founders: Phillis Wheatley, African-American Poet of the Revolution
Blog
Understanding the process to replace Justice Breyer

With the official announcement of Justice Stephen Breyer’s retirement from the Supreme Court after its current term, all…

Understanding the process to replace Justice Breyer
Blog
Looking Back: Nullification in American History

In two recent Supreme Court opinions about abortion, the constitutional theory of nullification was cited by several justices. But…

Looking Back: Nullification in American History
Blog
The Court Loses Its Chief Pragmatist

National Constitution Center President and CEO Jeffrey Rosen notes the upcoming retirement of Justice Stephen Breyer, as the…

The Court Loses Its Chief Pragmatist
Blog
Stephen Breyer’s Supreme Court Legacy

Editor’s Note: Multiple media sources reported on January 26, 2022 that Justice Breyer intends to retire at the end of the…

Stephen Breyer’s Supreme Court Legacy
Blog
The Confident and Aggressive Conservative Majority

If anyone thought the U.S. Supreme Court’s conservative majority with three relatively new justices would be cautious about…

The Confident and Aggressive Conservative Majority
Blog
On the day, Justice Noah Swayne confirmed by the Senate

On this day in 1862, Noah Swayne was confirmed by the Senate to replace Justice John McLean, one of two dissenters in the Dred…

On the day, Justice Noah Swayne confirmed by the Senate
Blog
A Look Back: Sedition, Free Speech and the President

In today’s political climate, the words “sedition” and “censorship” are being tossed around in public discussions. But…

A Look Back: Sedition, Free Speech and the President
Blog
Five interesting facts on the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr.

Constitution Daily looks back at the inspirational story of Martin Luther King Jr., and uncovers some interesting facts about the…

Five interesting facts on the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr.
Blog
On this day, a historic Cabinet nomination

Robert C. Weaver had a strong public record as a Civil Rights leader and a government official, but there was still controversy…

On this day, a historic Cabinet nomination
Blog
On this day: Panama regains the Panama Canal

On December 31, 1999, the United States officially handed the Panama Canal over to Panama’s government, ending a long saga that…

On this day: Panama regains the Panama Canal
Blog
Remembering the Supreme Court’s first dissenter

On December 27, 1771, future Supreme Court Justice William Johnson, Jr., was born in South Carolina. Johnson has attracted a…

Remembering the Supreme Court’s first dissenter
Blog
On this day, Woodrow Wilson seizes the nation’s railroads

One of the broadest acts of presidential power happened on this day in 1917, when President Woodrow Wilson issued an order for the…

On this day, Woodrow Wilson seizes the nation’s railroads
Blog
Battle for the Constitution: Week of December 13, 2021 Roundup

Here is a round-up of the latest from the Battle for the Constitution: a special project on the constitutional debates in…

Battle for the Constitution: Week of December 13, 2021 Roundup
Blog
On this day, the Constitution’s other George is born

During the 1787 Constitutional Convention, two Georges commanded much attention at Philadelphia: George Washington and his…

On this day, the Constitution’s other George is born
Blog
Battle for the Constitution: Week of December 6th, 2021 Roundup

Here is a round-up of the latest from the Battle for the Constitution: a special project on the constitutional debates in…

Battle for the Constitution: Week of December 6th, 2021 Roundup
Blog
Channeling Justice Ginsburg in the Mississippi Abortion Fight

More than 130 friend-of-the-court briefs have been filed by anti-abortion and abortion rights groups in the Mississippi abortion…

Channeling Justice Ginsburg in the Mississippi Abortion Fight
Blog
Battle for the Constitution: Week of November 1st, 2021 Roundup

Here is a round-up of the latest from the Battle for the Constitution: a special project on the constitutional debates in…

Battle for the Constitution: Week of November 1st, 2021 Roundup
Blog
Battle for the Constitution: Week of October 25th, 2021 Roundup

Here is a round-up of the latest from the Battle for the Constitution: a special project on the constitutional debates in…

Battle for the Constitution: Week of October 25th, 2021 Roundup
Blog
Who can sue and be sued in a battle over a Texas abortion law?

The United States government is a powerful party when it goes into federal court. Just how powerful will be tested when the…

Who can sue and be sued in a battle over a Texas abortion law?
Blog
A Second Amendment sequel premieres next week in the U.S. Supreme Court

With the Mississippi and Texas abortion cases on the docket now, the U.S. Supreme Court’s current term will be defined by what…

A Second Amendment sequel premieres next week in the U.S. Supreme Court
Blog
Peyton Randolph: The forgotten revolutionary president

The first president of the Continental Congress was George Washington’s close friend and Thomas Jefferson’s cousin. So who was…

Peyton Randolph: The forgotten revolutionary president
Blog
Justice Byron White: A retrospective

On October 16, 1962, Justice Byron R. White joined the Supreme Court as one of two appointments made by President John F.…

Justice Byron White: A retrospective
Blog
The Supreme Court wrestles with “to speak the truth” in a bomber’s case

Trials that draw widespread public attention present a special challenge for the judges, prosecutors and defense lawyers. That is…

The Supreme Court wrestles with “to speak the truth” in a bomber’s case
Blog
The double-edge sword of the Supreme Court’s conservative majority

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday began a new and potentially controversial term under the shadow of justices’ concerns about the…

The double-edge sword of the Supreme Court’s conservative majority
Blog
Battle for the Constitution: Week of September 27th, 2021 Roundup

Here is a round-up of the latest from the Battle for the Constitution: a special project on the constitutional debates in…

Battle for the Constitution: Week of September 27th, 2021 Roundup
Blog
10 fascinating facts about former President Jimmy Carter

Today we celebrate the birthday of former President Jimmy Carter. The Georgia native is certainly unique in comparison with other…

10 fascinating facts about former President Jimmy Carter
Blog
A question for Constitution Day

Constitution Day is one of our country’s most overlooked holidays, but Sept. 17 should not go unnoticed. The foundational…

A question for Constitution Day
Blog
Battle for the Constitution: Week of September 10th, 2021 Roundup

Here is a round-up of the latest from the Battle for the Constitution: a special project on the constitutional debates in…

Battle for the Constitution: Week of September 10th, 2021 Roundup
Blog
The U.S. Supreme Court and Vigilantes

Are we becoming a nation of vigilantes? A recent opinion article by two legal scholars suggested the answer is yes.

The U.S. Supreme Court and Vigilantes
Blog
Remembering Frederick Douglass’ escape from slavery

Frederick Douglass escaped from slavery on September 3, 1838, aided by a disguise and job skills he had learned while forced to…

Remembering Frederick Douglass’ escape from slavery
Blog
God and the Justices, in Court Once Again

The U.S. Supreme Court in the last few terms has been carving a legacy of religion-favored rulings in such areas as employment,…

God and the Justices, in Court Once Again
Blog
On this day, Shays’ Rebellion starts in Massachusetts

On this day in 1786, a popular uprising began in Massachusetts. Shays’ Rebellion was one of several critical events that led to…

On this day, Shays’ Rebellion starts in Massachusetts
Blog
After a century, the Panama Canal still symbolizes executive power

As the Panama Canal celebrates its birthday today, the bold act of one U.S. President still resonates as a stroke of policy genius…

After a century, the Panama Canal still symbolizes executive power
Blog
The constitutional issues related to Covid-19 mask mandates

Requirements to wear facemasks in the fight against Covid-19 are back in the news after some political leaders have issued…

The constitutional issues related to Covid-19 mask mandates
Blog
Current constitutional issues related to vaccine mandates

The Covid-19 delta variant’s spread may force federal and state authorities to re-examine public safety policies related to…

Current constitutional issues related to vaccine mandates
Blog
On this day, the Voting Rights Act of 1965 is signed

On August 6, 1965, President Lyndon Johnson signed the landmark Voting Rights Act, a centerpiece of the civil rights movement that…

On this day, the Voting Rights Act of 1965 is signed
Blog
The debate over inflatable rats and the First Amendment

A recent National Labor Relations Board decision will allow giant inflatable rats to remain at some union protest sites. But the…

The debate over inflatable rats and the First Amendment
Blog
Battle for the Constitution: Week of July 30th, 2021 Roundup

Here is a round-up of the latest from the Battle for the Constitution: a special project on the constitutional debates in…

Battle for the Constitution: Week of July 30th, 2021 Roundup
Blog
Happy birthday to the Department of State

On July 27, 1789, Congress created the State Department, which became an important part of the Executive Branch established under…

Happy birthday to the Department of State
Blog
If the Supreme Court overrules Roe in the new term, will we know for sure?

The state of Mississippi this week urged the U.S. Supreme Court to overrule the two foundational precedents for a woman’s right…

If the Supreme Court overrules Roe in the new term, will we know for sure?
Blog
How Philadelphia lost the nation’s capital to Washington

It’s a sad day for some historically minded Philadelphians: It’s the anniversary of the congressional act that moved the…

How Philadelphia lost the nation’s capital to Washington
Blog
Fascinating facts about Supreme Court justices

The Supreme Court is an institution long revered for its integrity, legal prowess, and robust constitutional scholarship and…

Fascinating facts about Supreme Court justices
Blog
Battle for the Constitution: Week of July 5th, 2021 Roundup

Here is a round-up of the latest from the Battle for the Constitution: a special project on the constitutional debates in…

Battle for the Constitution: Week of July 5th, 2021 Roundup
Blog
On this day, the Republican Party names its first candidates

On July 6, 1854, disgruntled voters in a new political party named its first candidates to contest the Democrats over the issue of…

On this day, the Republican Party names its first candidates
Blog
Just which state ratified the 26th Amendment?

On June 30, 1971, President Richard Nixon issued a public statement congratulating Ohio as the 38th state to approve the 26th…

Just which state ratified the 26th Amendment?
Blog
Battle for the Constitution: Week of June 21st, 2021 Roundup

Here is a round-up of the latest from the Battle for the Constitution: a special project on the constitutional debates in American…

Battle for the Constitution: Week of June 21st, 2021 Roundup
Blog
Justice Breyer scouts a path through a sticky thicket of student speech

During U.S. Supreme Court arguments in April in the case of the cursing cheerleader, Justice Stephen Breyer was frustrated with…

Justice Breyer scouts a path through a sticky thicket of student speech
Blog
How the Supreme Court created agency deference

On this day in 1984, the Supreme Court decided Chevron v. National Resources Defense Council, which created the doctrine that…

How the Supreme Court created agency deference
Blog
Supreme Court narrowly protects student free speech online

In a closely watched decision, the Supreme Court ruled on Wednesday that a public school student’s off-campus Snapchat rant was…

Supreme Court narrowly protects student free speech online
Blog
Battle for the Constitution: Week of June 14th, 2021 Roundup

Here is a round-up of the latest from the Battle for the Constitution: a special project on the constitutional debates in American…

Battle for the Constitution: Week of June 14th, 2021 Roundup
Blog
Justice Alito’s ‘Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day’

In three major U.S. Supreme Court decisions on Thursday, Justice Samuel Alito Jr. found himself with losing arguments and he wrote…

Justice Alito’s ‘Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day’
Blog
Juneteenth Joins List of Federal Holidays

President Joseph Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law on Thursday, adding Juneteenth to the list of…

Juneteenth Joins List of Federal Holidays
Blog
On this day: Supreme Court rejects race-based marriage laws

On June 12, 1967, the Supreme Court issued its Loving v. Virginia decision, which struck down laws that banned marriages between…

On this day: Supreme Court rejects race-based marriage laws
Blog
Another race case knocks on the U.S. Supreme Court’s door

Although the U.S. Supreme Court’s term has not ended, its next term is already shaping up as a potential blockbuster with…

Another race case knocks on the U.S. Supreme Court’s door
Blog
Battle for the Constitution: Week of May 24th, 2021 Roundup

Here is a round-up of the latest from the Battle for the Constitution: a special project on the constitutional debates in American…

Battle for the Constitution: Week of May 24th, 2021 Roundup
Blog
The Evolution of Voting Rights in America

The right to vote has long been considered one of the cherished freedoms key to American democracy. But voting rights in general…

The Evolution of Voting Rights in America
Blog
10 fascinating facts about John Hancock

John Hancock and his signature are two of the best-known elements related to the Declaration of Independence. But how much do you…

10 fascinating facts about John Hancock
Blog
Battle for the Constitution: Week of May 17th, 2021 Roundup

Here is a round-up of the latest from the Battle for the Constitution, a special project on the constitutional debates in American…

Battle for the Constitution: Week of May 17th, 2021 Roundup
Blog
Looking back at Romer, a key Supreme Court decision about gay rights

On May 20, 1996, the Supreme Court issued an early landmark decision supporting the right of gay people under the Constitution to…

Looking back at Romer, a key Supreme Court decision about gay rights
Blog
What would RBG think?

It would be difficult for at least some U.S. Supreme Court justices not to think about the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg when…

What would RBG think?
Blog
Battle for the Constitution: Week of May 10th, 2021 Roundup

Here is a round-up of the latest from the Battle for the Constitution: a special project on the constitutional debates in American…

Battle for the Constitution: Week of May 10th, 2021 Roundup
Blog
Battle for the Constitution: Week of May 3rd, 2021 Roundup

Here is a round-up of the latest from the Battle for the Constitution: a special project on the constitutional debates in American…

Battle for the Constitution: Week of May 3rd, 2021 Roundup
Blog
The U.S. Supreme Court: Surprises in the home stretch?

The U.S. Supreme Court wraps up oral arguments this week and begins an intense period of drafting opinions in its pending cases.…

The U.S. Supreme Court: Surprises in the home stretch?
Blog
Battle for the Constitution: Week of April 26th, 2021 Roundup

Here is a round-up of the latest from the Battle for the Constitution: a special project on the constitutional debates in American…

 Battle for the Constitution: Week of April 26th, 2021 Roundup
Blog
How Congress created an army of millions in 1917

On April 27, 1917. Republican California Representative Julius Kahn introduced to the House Resolution 3545—known better as the…

How Congress created an army of millions in 1917
Blog
Battle for the Constitution: Week of April 19th, 2021 Roundup

Here is a round-up of the latest from the Battle for the Constitution: a special project on the constitutional debates in American…

Battle for the Constitution: Week of April 19th, 2021 Roundup
Blog
Looking back at the Ku Klux Klan Act

The Ku Klux Klan Act may be a law from the Reconstruction era, but it still relevant today as a way to address modern civil rights…

Looking back at the Ku Klux Klan Act
Blog
Battle for the Constitution: Week of April 12th, 2021 Roundup

Here is a round-up of the latest from the Battle for the Constitution: a special project on the constitutional debates in American…

Battle for the Constitution: Week of April 12th, 2021 Roundup
Blog
Elizabeth Freeman, her case for freedom, and the Massachusetts Constitution

Almost a decade before the U.S. Constitution was signed into law, the first African American woman to successfully file a lawsuit…

Elizabeth Freeman, her case for freedom, and the Massachusetts Constitution
Blog
Cheerleader case presents free-speech test for public schools

One of the Supreme Court’s landmark First Amendment cases could be redefined early this summer as the justices decide a modern…

Cheerleader case presents free-speech test for public schools
Blog
Battle for the Constitution: Week of March 29th, 2021 Roundup

Here is a round-up of the latest from the Battle for the Constitution: a special project on the constitutional debates in American…

Battle for the Constitution: Week of March 29th, 2021 Roundup
Blog
In the U.S. Supreme Court, one more fight to change a losing battle

Some issues return in cases to the U.S. Supreme Court year after year in hopes that the timing is right for review by the…

In the U.S. Supreme Court, one more fight to change a losing battle
Blog
Andrew Jackson, presidential censure and the Constitution

On March 28, 1834, the U.S. Senate censured President Andrew Jackson in a tug-of-war that had questionable constitutional roots…

Andrew Jackson, presidential censure and the Constitution
Blog
Battle for the Constitution: Week of March 22nd, 2021 Roundup

Here is a round-up of the latest from the Battle for the Constitution: a special project on the constitutional debates in American…

Battle for the Constitution: Week of March 22nd, 2021 Roundup
Blog
What the Founders thought about mob violence

National Constitution Center president and CEO Jeffrey Rosen says the Founders would have been appalled by the attack on the…

What the Founders thought about mob violence
Blog
Battle for the Constitution: Week of March 15th, 2021 Roundup

A round-up of the latest from the Battle for the Constitution: a special project on the constitutional debates in American life,…

Battle for the Constitution: Week of March 15th, 2021 Roundup
Blog
A conflict at home creates conflict over the Fourth Amendment in the U.S. Supreme Court

The ancient adage says that “a man’s house is his castle.” The Supreme Court would add, “with exceptions.” Next week,…

A conflict at home creates conflict over the Fourth Amendment in the U.S. Supreme Court
Blog
Constitutional powers and issues during a quarantine situation

The growing concerns about the coronavirus in the United States could lead to government officials considering isolation and…

Constitutional powers and issues during a quarantine situation
Blog
Battle for the Constitution: Week of March 8th, 2021 Roundup

Here is a round-up of the latest from the Battle for the Constitution: a special project on the constitutional debates in American…

Battle for the Constitution: Week of March 8th, 2021 Roundup
Blog
Selma: The Shining Moment in the Conscience Of Man

On March 7, 1965, civil rights activists were attacked by Alabama police near a bridge in Selma, Alabama, in a moment that shocked…

Selma: The Shining Moment in the Conscience Of Man
Blog
Dred Scott decision still resonates today

On March 6, 1857, the Supreme Court handed down its decision in the Dred Scott case, which had a direct impact on the coming of…

Dred Scott decision still resonates today
Blog
Battle for the Constitution: Week of March 1st, 2021 Roundup

Here is a round-up of the latest from the Battle for the Constitution: a special project on the constitutional debates in American…

Battle for the Constitution: Week of March 1st, 2021 Roundup
Blog
Has America ‘Changed’ in Racially Discriminatory Voting?

Do U.S. Supreme Court justices ever regret their own decisions? The late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg once said a mentor told her:…

Has America ‘Changed’ in Racially Discriminatory Voting?
Blog
Battle for the Constitution: Week of February 22nd, 2021 Roundup

Here is a round-up of the latest from the Battle for the Constitution: a special project on the constitutional debates in American…

Battle for the Constitution: Week of February 22nd, 2021 Roundup
Blog
Battle for the Constitution: Week of February 8th, 2021 Roundup

Here is a round-up of the latest from the Battle for the Constitution: a special project on the constitutional debates in American…

Battle for the Constitution: Week of February 8th, 2021 Roundup
Blog
How a national tragedy led to the 25th amendment

It was on this day in 1967 that two states, Nevada and Minnesota, made the Constitution’s 25th amendment a reality, clearing up…

How a national tragedy led to the 25th amendment
Blog
The Supreme Court’s Religion Conundrum

The U.S. Supreme Court’s late-night Friday order slapping down most of California’s pandemic restrictions on religious…

The Supreme Court’s Religion Conundrum
Blog
The 11th Amendment: Correcting the Supreme Court in action

The Constitution’s first amendment after the Bill of Rights represented the first use of congressional power to contradict a…

The 11th Amendment: Correcting the Supreme Court in action
Blog
Battle for the Constitution: Week of February 1st, 2021 Roundup

Here is a round-up of the latest from the Battle for the Constitution: a special project on the constitutional debates in American…

Battle for the Constitution: Week of February 1st, 2021 Roundup
Blog
How we wound up with the income tax

Imagine a world with a federal income tax; if you were an American citizen before 1913, with a few exceptions you didn’t have to…

How we wound up with the income tax
Blog
Battle for the Constitution: Week of January 25th, 2021 Roundup

Here is a round-up of the latest from the Battle for the Constitution: a special project on the constitutional debates in American…

Battle for the Constitution: Week of January 25th, 2021 Roundup
Blog
What Will Justice Breyer Do?

By the end of the current U.S. Supreme Court term or shortly afterward, a justice will retire, predict some court scholars and…

What Will Justice Breyer Do?
Blog
Battle for the Constitution: Week of January 18th, 2021 Roundup

Here is a round-up of the latest from the Battle for the Constitution: a special project on the constitutional debates in American…

Battle for the Constitution: Week of January 18th, 2021 Roundup
Blog
What happens on Inauguration Day

On Wednesday, Joseph R. Biden Jr. becomes the 46th President of the United States. Here is a look at some facts about the…

What happens on Inauguration Day
Blog
The Constitution offers another path to Trump accountability

The 25th Amendment is a non-starter in the effort to remove President Donald Trump from office. Impeachment may stall in the U.S.…

The Constitution offers another path to Trump accountability
Blog
The Second Trump Impeachment: What Happens Next?

The House of Representatives adopted an article of impeachment against President Donald J. Trump on Wednesday, setting in motion a…

The Second Trump Impeachment: What Happens Next?
Blog
Constitution Drafting project highlights areas of potential consensus on constitutional reform

The National Constitution Center recently conducted a fascinating exercise in which it brought together three groups to produce…

Constitution Drafting project highlights areas of potential consensus on constitutional reform
Blog
Can President Trump be impeached after he leaves office?

The expected impeachment proceedings on Wednesday against President Donald J. Trump will surface one of the Constitution’s most…

Can President Trump be impeached after he leaves office?
Blog
Battle for the Constitution: Week of January 4th, 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…

Battle for the Constitution: Week of January 4th, 2020 Roundup
Blog
How does the president grant pardons under the Constitution?

With the end of Donald Trump’s term set for January 20, much attention will be focused on the outgoing president’s final…

How does the president grant pardons under the Constitution?
Blog
How the Constitution’s 25th Amendment works

After the events of January 6, 2021, the Constitution’s 25th Amendment was back in the news, in the wake of Wednesday’s…

How the Constitution’s 25th Amendment works
Blog
A List of Electoral College Count Resources

On Wednesday, January 6, 2021, Congress will meet as required by the Constitution to certify the winner of the presidential…

A List of Electoral College Count Resources
Blog
Looking Back: The Electoral Commission of 1877

Ted Cruz and other senators are requesting a special electoral commission to investigate the fairness of votes in the 2020…

Looking Back: The Electoral Commission of 1877
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Battle for the Constitution: Week of December 14th, 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…

Battle for the Constitution: Week of December 14th, 2020 Roundup
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Explaining how Congress settles electoral college disputes

The next public step in the 2020 presidential election will happen on January 6, 2021, when Congress meets to validate the…

Explaining how Congress settles electoral college disputes
Blog
Why Texas’s election suit failed to reach first base in the Supreme Court

The Constitution gives the U.S. Supreme Court a special type of jurisdiction over cases “in which a State shall be Party.” So…

Why Texas’s election suit failed to reach first base in the Supreme Court
Blog
Battle for the Constitution: Week of December 7th, 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…

Battle for the Constitution: Week of December 7th, 2020 Roundup
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Battle for the Constitution: Week of November 30th, 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…

Battle for the Constitution: Week of November 30th, 2020 Roundup
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On this day: The Senate censures Joseph McCarthy

December 2 is a landmark day in Senate history, marking that chamber’s historic censure of Joseph McCarthy for his conduct…

On this day: The Senate censures Joseph McCarthy
Blog
The Role of a 1992 Census Case and John Roberts Jr. in a 2020 Census Challenge

Earlier in Chief Justice John Roberts Jr.’s legal career, he represented the government as deputy solicitor general in a 1992…

The Role of a 1992 Census Case and John Roberts Jr. in a 2020 Census Challenge
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Battle for the Constitution: Week of November 9th, 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…

Battle for the Constitution: Week of November 9th, 2020 Roundup
Blog
A birthday salute to Louis Brandeis

Today we celebrate the birthday of Justice Louis Brandeis, who made a lasting impact on American constitutional law both before…

A birthday salute to Louis Brandeis
Blog
Revisiting the Affordable Care Act in mid-pandemic and post-election

A decade after enactment of the Affordable Care Act, more commonly known as Obamacare, the U.S. Supreme Court is being asked once…

Revisiting the Affordable Care Act in mid-pandemic and post-election
Blog
Battle for the Constitution: Week of November 2nd, 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…

Battle for the Constitution: Week of November 2nd, 2020 Roundup
Blog
FAQ: What happens next in the presidential election process?

The 2020 election contest between President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden seems headed into overtime, as the…

FAQ: What happens next in the presidential election process?
Blog
FDR’s third-term election and the 22nd amendment

On November 5, 1940, President Franklin D. Roosevelt won a third term in office in an unprecedented act that would be barred by a…

FDR’s third-term election and the 22nd amendment
Blog
The 23rd Amendment and the chance of a tied 2020 presidential election

On Election Day, an old topic will get new life when political pundits discuss the chance of a deadlocked presidential contest…

The 23rd Amendment and the chance of a tied 2020 presidential election
Blog
Battle for the Constitution: Week of October 26, 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…

Battle for the Constitution: Week of October 26, 2020 Roundup
Blog
Will the U.S. Supreme Court Face a Crisis of Legitimacy?

New Justice Amy Coney Barrett will hear her first Supreme Court argument on Monday and when she does, she will be one of four…

Will the U.S. Supreme Court Face a Crisis of Legitimacy?
Blog
10 little-known facts about President Theodore Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt was one of most dynamic Presidents in White House history, and on the occasion of his birthday, here are 10…

10 little-known facts about President Theodore Roosevelt
Blog
Battle for the Constitution: Week of October 19, 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…

Battle for the Constitution: Week of October 19, 2020 Roundup
Blog
Hunting for ‘super precedents’ in U.S. Supreme Court confirmations

Last week, U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee members pressed Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett on whether the landmark…

Hunting for ‘super precedents’ in U.S. Supreme Court confirmations
Blog
Battle for the Constitution: Week of October 12, 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…

Battle for the Constitution: Week of October 12, 2020 Roundup
Blog
A Supreme Court nominee and the perfect storm

The U.S. Supreme Court has been an issue in presidential elections throughout most of its history, although perhaps never quite…

A Supreme Court nominee and the perfect storm
Blog
The Constitution and contested presidential elections

The Electoral College is a uniquely American institution and no stranger to controversy. But legally contested presidential…

The Constitution and contested presidential elections
Blog
Battle for the Constitution: Week of September 28th, 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…

Battle for the Constitution: Week of September 28th, 2020 Roundup
Blog
Understanding presidential disability and the 25th Amendment under the Constitution

President Donald J. Trump’s COVID-19 diagnosis has sparked a flood of news stories about the 25th Amendment and its possible…

Understanding presidential disability and the 25th Amendment under the Constitution
Blog
On this day: Congress officially creates the U.S. Army

To some it seemed like a technicality, but on this day in 1789, President George Washington succeeded in getting the First…

On this day: Congress officially creates the U.S. Army
Blog
Battle for the Constitution: Week of September 24th, 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…

Battle for the Constitution: Week of September 24th, 2020 Roundup
Blog
A New U.S. Supreme Court?

The late Justice Byron White famously said that with each new justice, there is a new Supreme Court. Americans soon will be able…

A New U.S. Supreme Court?
Blog
On this day, Congress proposes the Bill of Rights to the states

On September 25, 1789, the First Congress made a highly-anticipated move in arguably the most important congressional session in…

On this day, Congress proposes the Bill of Rights to the states
Blog
The Supreme Court nomination process: What happens next

On Saturday, President Donald J. Trump said he would seek to nominate a replacement for the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, on…

The Supreme Court nomination process: What happens next
Blog
From hero to traitor: Benedict Arnold’s day of infamy

On September 21, 1780, Revolutionary War hero Benedict Arnold turned his back on his country in a secret meeting with a top…

From hero to traitor: Benedict Arnold’s day of infamy
Blog
Battle for the Constitution: Week of September 17, 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…

Battle for the Constitution: Week of September 17, 2020 Roundup
Blog
Battle for the Constitution: Week of September 7th, 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…

Battle for the Constitution: Week of September 7th, 2020 Roundup
Blog
Battle for the Constitution: Week of August 31, 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…

Battle for the Constitution: Week of August 31, 2020 Roundup
Blog
The Hatch Act: Should We Care? The Supreme Court Did

A U.S. House committee this week asked the U.S. Office of Special Counsel to investigate possible federal Hatch Act violations by…

The Hatch Act: Should We Care? The Supreme Court Did
Blog
Hamilton’s Treasury Department and a great Constitutional debate

On this day in 1789, George Washington signed into law the act that created the Treasury Department. The move became crucial to…

Hamilton’s Treasury Department and a great Constitutional debate
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Battle for the Constitution: Week of August 24th, 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…

Battle for the Constitution: Week of August 24th, 2020 Roundup
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Battle for the Constitution: Week of August 17th, 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…

Battle for the Constitution: Week of August 17th, 2020 Roundup
Blog
The Postal Clause’s grant of ‘broad power’ to Congress over a system in crisis

The United States Postal Service, now under criticism from President Donald Trump, has its roots in the U.S. Constitution, and the…

The Postal Clause’s grant of ‘broad power’ to Congress over a system in crisis
Blog
The birthright citizenship debate returns for 2020 election

Recent comments from scholars about vice-presidential candidate Kamala Harris’s citizenship status have revived a constitutional…

The birthright citizenship debate returns for 2020 election
Blog
Battle for the Constitution: Week of August 10th, 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…

Battle for the Constitution: Week of August 10th, 2020 Roundup
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Battle for the Constitution: Week of August 3rd, 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…

Battle for the Constitution: Week of August 3rd, 2020 Roundup
Blog
Forgotten Founders: Elbridge Gerry, The “Brusque Maverick”

Today, Elbridge Gerry is best known for being the force and namesake behind “Gerrymandering.” That has obscured the…

Forgotten Founders: Elbridge Gerry, The “Brusque Maverick”
Blog
Battle for the Constitution: Week of July 27th, 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…

Battle for the Constitution: Week of July 27th, 2020 Roundup
Blog
Why is the Supreme Court applying an ordinary voting rule in extraordinary times?

The U.S. Supreme Court’s term did not end with its blockbuster decisions on President Donald Trump’s taxes. Before October,…

Why is the Supreme Court applying an ordinary voting rule in extraordinary times?
Blog
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…

Battle for the Constitution: Week of July 20th, 2020 Roundup
Blog
On this day, Truman, Congress decide current line of presidential succession

On this day in 1947, Congress changed the order of who can succeed the President and Vice President in office, more closely…

On this day, Truman, Congress decide current line of presidential succession
Blog
Battle for the Constitution: Week of July 13th, 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…

Battle for the Constitution: Week of July 13th, 2020 Roundup
Blog
Forgotten Founders: James Wilson, craftsman of the Constitution

In the first entry into the series on “Forgotten Founders,” we explored Gouverneur Morris. Today, we examine James Wilson, the…

Forgotten Founders: James Wilson, craftsman of the Constitution
Blog
Supreme Court teaches Congress and the President a constitutional lesson

The U.S. Supreme Court, in a series of decisions over time, has taught Americans that their constitutional rights are limited.…

Supreme Court teaches Congress and the President a constitutional lesson
Blog
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…

10 Supreme Court cases about the 14th Amendment
Blog
Battle for the Constitution: Week of June 29th, 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…

Battle for the Constitution: Week of June 29th, 2020 Roundup
Blog
Explaining the fight over Virginia’s Robert E. Lee statues

A new Virginia law going into effect on Wednesday may serve as the catalyst to settle a battle over iconic two Robert E. Lee…

Explaining the fight over Virginia’s Robert E. Lee statues
Blog
The Supreme Court and the “Climate of the Era”

One of the most respected constitutional law scholars of the 20th century, the late Paul Freund, once said the U.S. Supreme Court…

The Supreme Court and the “Climate of the Era”
Blog
Battle for the Constitution: Week of June 22nd, 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…

Battle for the Constitution: Week of June 22nd, 2020 Roundup
Blog
Why we don’t have a turkey on our Great Seal

Today is the birthday of the Great Seal of the United States. So how close did we really come to having a turkey instead of an…

Why we don’t have a turkey on our Great Seal
Blog
Battle for the Constitution: Week of June 15, 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…

Battle for the Constitution: Week of June 15, 2020 Roundup
Blog
Looking at America’s forgotten War of 1812

On June 18, 1812, President James Madison signed a resolution, approved in Congress, declaring war against Great Britain. Over the…

Looking at America’s forgotten War of 1812
Blog
The Supreme Court term’s challenges for Chief Justice John Roberts Jr.

As the U.S. Supreme Court’s term moves into its final weeks, the challenges for a Chief Justice who insists the institution is…

The Supreme Court term’s challenges for Chief Justice John Roberts Jr.
Blog
How Aaron Burr changed the Constitution

Former vice president Aaron Burr usually isn’t credited as a Founding Father, but there is one instance where Burr directly…

How Aaron Burr changed the Constitution
Blog
Battle for the Constitution: Week of June 8th, 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…

Battle for the Constitution: Week of June 8th, 2020 Roundup
Blog
Forgotten Founders: Gouverneur Morris

Today, we launch a new series on Constitution Daily remembering “Forgotten Founders,” from the ratification period through the…

Forgotten Founders: Gouverneur Morris
Blog
Battle for the Constitution: Week of June 1st, 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…

Battle for the Constitution: Week of June 1st, 2020 Roundup
Blog
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…

The Supreme Court’s role in the police accountability controversy
Blog
Expert Insights on Recent SCOTUS Teleconference Arguments

Allowing the public to listen in in real time for the first time in history—the Supreme Court heard remote arguments via…

Expert Insights on Recent SCOTUS Teleconference Arguments
Blog
Battle for the Constitution: Week of May 25th, 2020 Roundup

A round-up of the latest from the Battle for the Constitution: a special project on the constitutional debates in American life,…

Battle for the Constitution: Week of May 25th, 2020 Roundup
Blog
Battle for the Constitution: Week of May 18th, 2020 Roundup

A round-up of the latest from the Battle for the Constitution: a special project on the constitutional debates in American life,…

Blog
On this day, the first Democratic Party convention

On May 21, 1832, a group of delegates supporting President Andrew Jackson met in Baltimore to conduct the first official…

On this day, the first Democratic Party convention
Blog
Battle for the Constitution: Week of May 11th, 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…

Battle for the Constitution: Week of May 11th, 2020 Roundup
Blog
How Philly lost the nation’s capital to Washington

Philadelphia was the early capital of the United States after the Constitution was ratified, but on May 14, 1800, the nation’s…

How Philly lost the nation’s capital to Washington
Blog
What is the President’s Authority During a Pandemic?

Much of the debate surrounding the government’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic has centered around the question: what are…

What is the President’s Authority During a Pandemic?
Blog
The Court considers a constitutional fight over faithless electors

The case of the “faithless electors” at the Supreme Court this week sounds like a Sherlock Holmes mystery. In reality, it is a…

The Court considers a constitutional fight over faithless electors
Blog
Battle for the Constitution: Week of May 4th, 2020 Roundup

A round-up of the latest from the Battle for the Constitution: a special project on the constitutional debates in American life,…

Battle for the Constitution: Week of May 4th, 2020 Roundup
Blog
A return to the culture wars in historic arguments

The U.S. Supreme Court steps back into the culture wars this week in telephonic arguments involving birth control and…

A return to the culture wars in historic arguments
Blog
Battle for the Constitution: Week of April 27th, 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…

Battle for the Constitution: Week of April 27th, 2020 Roundup
Blog
The Supreme Court throws a late-breaking curve ball in the Trump tax battle

Is the U.S. Supreme Court searching for an “off-ramp,” or a way to avoid deciding the legal and highly politicized battle over…

The Supreme Court throws a late-breaking curve ball in the Trump tax battle
Blog
Remote Arguments and Recent Decisions at the Supreme Court

Although Congress and the president have been the focal point of the government’s response to coronavirus, the Supreme Court has…

Remote Arguments and Recent Decisions at the Supreme Court
Blog
Discover 10 treasures from the Library of Congress

Since its establishment on April 24, 1800, the Library of Congress has grown to become the largest library in the world, with more…

Discover 10 treasures from the Library of Congress
Blog
James Buchanan’s troubled legacy as President

April 23 marks the birthday of James Buchanan, the man regarded by many historians as one of the worst presidents of all time. So…

James Buchanan’s troubled legacy as President
Blog
Battle for the Constitution: Week of April 13th, 2020 Roundup

A round-up of the latest from the Battle for the Constitution: a special project on the constitutional debates in American life,…

Battle for the Constitution: Week of April 13th, 2020 Roundup
Blog
COVID-19 and the Constitution — Key Takeaways

The coronavirus pandemic has raised a host of constitutional questions. Here are some key takeaways.

COVID-19 and the Constitution — Key Takeaways
Blog
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…

Bradwell v. Illinois: When the Supreme Court denied legal work to women
Blog
Whither the U.S. Supreme Court?

Constitution Daily contributor Marcia Coyle looks at what may still be—with an unexpected element—the most significant Supreme…

Whither the U.S. Supreme Court?
Blog
Battle for the Constitution: Week of April 6th, 2020 Roundup

A round-up of the latest from the Battle for the Constitution: a special project on the constitutional debates in American life,…

Battle for the Constitution: Week of April 6th, 2020 Roundup
Blog
On this day, Supreme Court hears Loving arguments

On April 10, 1967, the United States Supreme Court held oral arguments in a landmark case about a Virginia law that said marriages…

On this day, Supreme Court hears Loving arguments
Blog
Does the Constitution allow for a delayed presidential election?

As America battles the COVID-19 virus, speculation has started that a prolonged public health crisis could delay or even postpone…

Does the Constitution allow for a delayed presidential election?
Blog
Battle for the Constitution: Week of Mar. 30th, 2020 Roundup

A round-up of the latest from the Battle for the Constitution: a special project on the constitutional debates in American life,…

Battle for the Constitution: Week of Mar. 30th, 2020 Roundup
Blog
On this day, Supreme Court refuses women right to vote

On March 29, 1875, in the case of Minor v. Happersett, the Supreme Court rejected to claim of Virginia Minor that under the 14th…

On this day, Supreme Court refuses women right to vote
Blog
Blockbuster Cases on the CFPB and Abortion at SCOTUS

Before the Supreme Court suspended oral arguments due to concerns about the spread of the coronavirus—it heard two of the…

Blockbuster Cases on the CFPB and Abortion at SCOTUS
Blog
Battle for the Constitution: Week of Mar. 16th, 2020 Roundup

A round-up of the latest from the Battle for the Constitution: a special project on the constitutional debates in American life,…

Battle for the Constitution: Week of Mar. 16th, 2020 Roundup
Blog
Battle for the Constitution: Week of March 9th, 2020 Roundup

A round-up of the latest from the Battle for the Constitution: a special project on the constitutional debates in American life,…

Battle for the Constitution: Week of March 9th, 2020 Roundup
Blog
Battle for the Constitution: Week of Mar. 2nd, 2020 Roundup

A round-up of the latest from the “Battle for the Constitution:” a special project on the constitutional debates in American…

Battle for the Constitution: Week of Mar. 2nd, 2020 Roundup
Blog
The Executive and the Rule of Law

Recent controversies over sentencing recommendations for President Trump’s associate Roger Stone, as well as a series of pardons…

The Executive and the Rule of Law
Blog
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 Supreme Court decides Prigg v. Pennsylvania
Blog
Battle for the Constitution: Week of Feb. 24, 2020 Roundup 

A round-up of the latest from the “Battle for the Constitution:” a special project on the constitutional debates in American…

Battle for the Constitution: Week of Feb. 24, 2020 Roundup 
Blog
George Washington’s Constitutional Legacy

President George Washington’s birthday was last Saturday, February 22. Although he was born 288 years ago, Washington’s life…

George Washington’s Constitutional Legacy
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Presidential pardons: A constitutional and historical review

The recent pardon and clemency orders issued by President Donald Trump are reviving an enduring debate about the executive’s…

Presidential pardons: A constitutional and historical review
Blog
Battle for the Constitution: Week of Feb. 17, 2020 Roundup

Here is a round-up of the latest from the “Battle for the Constitution:” a special project on the constitutional debates in…

Battle for the Constitution: Week of Feb. 17, 2020 Roundup
Blog
Civic Virtue, and Why It Matters

In the midst of growing polarization and the aftermath of a divisive impeachment trial, some have called for a revival of civic…

Civic Virtue, and Why It Matters
Blog
House ERA resolution heads to Senate

Last week, the House of Representatives passed a resolution that would rescind the deadline for ratification of the Equal Rights…

House ERA resolution heads to Senate
Blog
Battle for the Constitution: Week of Feb. 10, 2020 Roundup

Here is a round-up of the latest from the “Battle for the Constitution:” a special project on the constitutional debates in…

Battle for the Constitution: Week of Feb. 10, 2020 Roundup
Blog
An impeachment trial recap

The impeachment trial of President Trump concluded on February 5 with the Senate voting to acquit him on charges of abuse of…

An impeachment trial recap
Blog
Battle for the Constitution: Week of Feb. 3, 2020 Roundup

Below is a round-up of the latest from the “Battle for the Constitution:” a special project on the constitutional debates in…

Battle for the Constitution: Week of Feb. 3, 2020 Roundup
Blog
Will the Equal Rights Amendment Be Adopted?

The ERA remains caught up in the surprisingly unsettled question of the process of adding a proposed amendment to the…

Will the Equal Rights Amendment Be Adopted?
Blog
Senate acquits President Trump on articles of impeachment

The Senate voted on Wednesday against two articles of impeachment presented by the House against President Donald J. Trump. A…

Senate acquits President Trump on articles of impeachment
Blog
On this day, Justice Frank Murphy was sworn in

On this day, Justice Frank Murphy was sworn in by the clerk of the Court, Charles Elmore Cropley. When the ceremony finished on…

On this day, Justice Frank Murphy was sworn in
Blog
Rosa Parks’ journey as a civil rights icon

On the occasion of Rosa Park’s birthday, Constitution Daily looks at her journey from a childhood in the segregated south to her…

Rosa Parks’ journey as a civil rights icon
Blog
Battle for the Constitution: Week of Jan. 27, 2020 Roundup

Below is a round-up of the latest from the “Battle for the Constitution:” a special project on the constitutional debates in…

Battle for the Constitution: Week of Jan. 27, 2020 Roundup
Blog
School Choice and Separation of Church and State

A lawsuit over K-12 scholarships has sparked a battle over the religion clauses of the Constitution.

School Choice and Separation of Church and State
Blog
Battle for the Constitution: Week of Jan. 20, 2020 Roundup

Get a round-up of the latest from the “Battle for the Constitution:” a special project on the constitutional debates in…

Battle for the Constitution: Week of Jan. 20, 2020 Roundup
Blog
Thurgood Marshall: A retrospective

On January 24, 1993, retired Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall died at the age of 84. Marshall was one of the best-known…

Thurgood Marshall: A retrospective
Blog
Pettifogging: An obscure word gets its day in the Senate

In the first day of the Senate Impeachment trial of President Donald J. Trump, Chief Justice John Roberts made a reference to an…

Pettifogging: An obscure word gets its day in the Senate
Blog
How the 20th Amendment made lame-duck sessions less lame

One of the most important, but least discussed, constitutional amendments made government more responsive by greatly shorting the…

How the 20th Amendment made lame-duck sessions less lame
Blog
The Chief, the Senate, and the Trial

Just before the Senate began the third presidential impeachment trial in American history, Ken Starr and Joan Biskupic previewed…

The Chief, the Senate, and the Trial
Blog
The next steps in the Senate impeachment trial process

On Wednesday, the House of Representatives formally delivered two articles of impeachment against President Donald J. Trump to the…

The next steps in the Senate impeachment trial process
Blog
Could the Equal Rights Amendment become a reality?

On January 15, 2020, the Virginia legislature passed a resolution to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment. The move sets off an…

Could the Equal Rights Amendment become a reality?
Blog
Who is the Senate Parliamentarian and what does she do?

The impending Senate impeachment trial of President Donald J. Trump could see an important figure in the national spotlight who is…

Who is the Senate Parliamentarian and what does she do?
Blog
10 fascinating facts about Richard Nixon

Richard Nixon was one of the best-known American politicians of the 20th century’s second half, and one of the most…

10 fascinating facts about Richard Nixon
Blog
On this day: Wilson’s 14 Points puts U.S. on world diplomatic stage

President Woodrow Wilson’s speech to Congress on January 8, 1918 made the United States a global player in the world of foreign…

On this day: Wilson’s 14 Points puts U.S. on world diplomatic stage
Blog
Soleimani airstrike raises legal, constitutional questions

Late last Thursday night, the Department of Defense announced that it had killed Qassem Soleimani in an airstrike on Baghdad…

Soleimani airstrike raises legal, constitutional questions
Blog
Millard Fillmore’s brief time in the national spotlight

On the occasion of Millard Fillmore’s birthday, Constitution Daily looks back at a forgotten President and his role in the…

Millard Fillmore’s brief time in the national spotlight
Blog
To Try an Impeachment, Part I: The Basics

Now that the House of Representatives has impeached President Donald J. Trump for alleged high crimes and misdemeanors,…

To Try an Impeachment, Part I: The Basics
Blog
Appeals court puts Obamacare’s fate deeper in doubt

The long-running dispute over the constitutionality of the massive federal health insurance law – the Affordable Care Act, or…

Appeals court puts Obamacare’s fate deeper in doubt
Blog
House votes to impeach President Trump; what happens next?

The House of Representatives adopted two articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump on Wednesday evening, setting in…

House votes to impeach President Trump; what happens next?
Blog
Eight basic facts about the Bill of Rights

Here are eight key facts about this enduring testament to liberty and freedom!

Eight basic facts about the Bill of Rights
Blog
Supreme Court to rule on privacy of Trump’s finances

Setting itself a constitutional task that could have a huge impact on presidential politics in 2020, the Supreme Court on Friday…

Supreme Court to rule on privacy of Trump’s finances
Blog
House Democrats unveil articles of impeachment

The House Judiciary Committee has introduced a resolution proposing two articles of impeachment against President Donald J. Trump.…

House Democrats unveil articles of impeachment
Blog
The presidency, impeachment and an enduring dilemma

From the debates of the Founders in Philadelphia in 1787 to today’s congressional impeachment inquiry aimed at President Donald…

The presidency, impeachment and an enduring dilemma
Blog
House to move on articles of impeachment after hearing from scholars

After the House Judiciary Committee heard testimony from four leading constitutional scholars about the meaning of “high Crimes…

House to move on articles of impeachment after hearing from scholars
Blog
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…

On this day: The United States formally outlaws slavery
Blog
On this day, President Johnson calls for the Warren Commission

On November 29, 1963, President Lyndon Johnson used his constitutional powers to issue an executive order to ask for a special…

On this day, President Johnson calls for the Warren Commission
Blog
On this day, John Paul Stevens nominated to the Supreme Court

On November 28, 1975, President Gerald Ford made his only Supreme Court nomination when he selected federal judge John Paul…

On this day, John Paul Stevens nominated to the Supreme Court
Blog
The real story behind the presidential turkey pardon

The presidential pardon of the Thanksgiving turkey has become an annual event, but the peace between the fowl and the White House…

The real story behind the presidential turkey pardon
Blog
Two rulings, mixed results, on Trump vs. Congress

Two new court decisions – both historic, but both leaving a good deal of uncertainty – emerged Monday in constitutional…

Two rulings, mixed results, on Trump vs. Congress
Blog
On this day, the Senate denies a Nixon Supreme Court nominee

On November 21, 1969, a divided Senate refused to confirm Clement Haynsworth, President Richard Nixon’s first replacement for…

On this day, the Senate denies a Nixon Supreme Court nominee
Blog
Trump asks Justices for sweeping legal immunity

In a Supreme Court plea that almost surely is unique in American history, President Donald Trump asked the Supreme Court on…

Trump asks Justices for sweeping legal immunity
Blog
Cross-border shooting case returns to the Supreme Court

A case involving the fatal shooting of a Mexican national by a United States Border Patrol Agent is back at the Supreme Court a…

Cross-border shooting case returns to the Supreme Court
Blog
The National Constitution Center’s Guide to the Impeachment Debate

As public hearings start in the House’s impeachment proceedings about President Donald Trump, the National Constitution Center…

The National Constitution Center’s Guide to the Impeachment Debate
Blog
Trump tax returns case to reach Justices shortly

President Donald Trump’s lawyers plan, within the next 10 days, to go to the Supreme Court with a plea to rule – before the…

Trump tax returns case to reach Justices shortly
Blog
Trump tax return case likely headed to Supreme Court

A three-panel federal appeals court has upheld a request from New York County’s District Attorney for President Donald Trump’s…

Trump tax return case likely headed to Supreme Court
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House moves forward with presidential impeachment process

On Thursday, the House of Representative formally advanced impeachment proceedings against President Donald Trump after rules were…

House moves forward with presidential impeachment process
Blog
Three ghoulish tales of body snatchers, Presidents and the Founders

In a special Halloween feature, Constitution Daily looks at two real-life body snatching stories related to three U.S. Presidents,…

Three ghoulish tales of body snatchers, Presidents and the Founders
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Early impeachment trials dealt with familiar issues

What type of misbehavior rises to the level of impeachment charges and trials in Congress? The first three impeachment proceedings…

Early impeachment trials dealt with familiar issues
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Justice Kennedy awarded 2019 Liberty Medal

On October 27, 2019, the National Constitution Center awarded its 31st annual Liberty Medal to the Honorable Anthony M. Kennedy,…

Justice Kennedy awarded 2019 Liberty Medal
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On This Day: The first Federalist Paper is published

On October 27, 1787, the first of the Federalist Papers is published in support of the newly signed Constitution.

On This Day: The first Federalist Paper is published
Blog
Abortion, “Preclearance,” and Court-Packing in Fourth Democratic Debate

Abortion became a major focus for the first time on the Democratic presidential primary debate stage, when Senator Kamala Harris…

Abortion, “Preclearance,” and Court-Packing in Fourth Democratic Debate
Blog
Could the Supreme Court rule this term on Trump tax returns fight?

Lawyers for President Donald J. Trump and a state prosecutor in New York have reached an agreement to put before the Supreme Court…

Could the Supreme Court rule this term on Trump tax returns fight?
Blog
Justices reopen major dispute on presidential power

The Supreme Court has reopened the issue of the strict limit on the power of Presidents to maintain control over some of the most…

Justices reopen major dispute on presidential power
Blog
D.C. Circuit Upholds Congressional Subpoena to Trump Accounting Firm

A Friday morning ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit could prove a watershed moment in the ongoing struggle…

D.C. Circuit Upholds Congressional Subpoena to Trump Accounting Firm
Blog
Ramos v. Louisiana: Does the 14th Amendment Require Unanimous Jury Verdicts?

When we think about trial by jury in criminal cases, we all probably envision a 12-member jury that must reach a unanimous verdict…

Ramos v. Louisiana: Does the 14th Amendment Require Unanimous Jury Verdicts?
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Kahler v. Kansas: Can States Abolish the Insanity Defense?

On Monday, the first day of the new Supreme Court term, the Court heard argument in Kahler v. Kansas, a case that could generate…

Kahler v. Kansas: Can States Abolish the Insanity Defense?
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Supreme Court hears two major cases today on Title VII and discrimination

On Tuesday, the Supreme Court will hear arguments in two major cases about Title VII and discrimination based on sexual…

Supreme Court hears two major cases today on Title VII and discrimination
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Where is the Supreme Court going on abortion?

Returning to an abortion rights issue that it had decided earlier but with a bench that is now changed, the Supreme Court agreed…

Where is the Supreme Court going on abortion?
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The House’s role in the impeachment inquiry process

On Tuesday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced an impeachment inquiry would be made against President Donald Trump into…

The House’s role in the impeachment inquiry process
Blog
UK Parliament shutdown ruled illegal

In a stinging rebuke of Britain’s new Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, and a strong exertion of its own power, the United…

UK Parliament shutdown ruled illegal
Blog
20 questions kids ask the most on Constitution Day

How many bathrooms are in the White House? Who is the tallest president? Read the most asked among 3,000 questions we received on…

20 questions kids ask the most on Constitution Day
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Constitutional chaos in Britain, viewed from America

An idea with centuries of British tradition behind it (but one that never had a chance of catching on in post-Revolutionary…

Constitutional chaos in Britain, viewed from America
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Can states control how presidential electors vote?

When the Supreme Court reopens a new session in October, awaiting the Justices in the pile of work that built up over their summer…

Can states control how presidential electors vote?
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On this day, we added the 50th state

Hawaii joined the Union on this day in 1959, an act that remains historically significant but not without controversy.

On this day, we added the 50th state
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Looking back: One of the ugliest protests in White House history

Today marks the anniversary of an unusual event in White House history when President John Tyler’s veto of a banking bill led to…

Looking back: One of the ugliest protests in White House history
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A high-profile legal victory on transgender rights

The nation’s best-known transgender student, Gavin Grimm, has won his discrimination case against his old high school – for…

A high-profile legal victory on transgender rights
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Hugo Black, unabashed partisan for the Constitution

On August 12, 1937, President Franklin D. Roosevelt nominated then-Senator Hugo Black of Alabama to the Supreme Court.

Hugo Black, unabashed partisan for the Constitution
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Constitution Mentions in Round Two of the Democratic Debates—Explained

Constitution Daily looks at recent mentions of the Constitution in the Democratic debates, including discussions about First…

Constitution Mentions in Round Two of the Democratic Debates—Explained
Blog
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.

Andrew Johnson: The most-criticized president ever?
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Marking the anniversary of the Americans With Disabilities Act

On July 26, 1990, President George H.W. Bush signed the Americans With Disabilities Act, a landmark law made possible by one…

Marking the anniversary of the Americans With Disabilities Act
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The past and future of America’s political community

Constitution Daily contributor Lyle Denniston looks at how the United States has considered and debated political representation…

The past and future of America’s political community
Blog
Trump team again drops citizenship question on census

Saying there is not enough time to go on waging a court battle over adding a question about citizenship to the 2020 census, the…

Trump team again drops citizenship question on census
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Two judges ponder new orders in census controversy

With government lawyers under pressure from President Trump looking for a new way to justify asking everyone in America about…

Two judges ponder new orders in census controversy
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It’s final: no citizenship question on 2020 census

In a decision that seems sure to have a significant impact on American politics over the coming decade, the Trump Administration…

It’s final: no citizenship question on 2020 census
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Justices step in to settle legal fate of DACA

For nearly 18 years, Congress has been studying plans to protect hundreds of thousands of young immigrants known as “dreamers”…

Justices step in to settle legal fate of DACA
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A chapter closes on partisan gerrymanders, others open

With the Supreme Court ordering all of the federal courts to the sidelines in the bitter and prolonged constitutional and…

A chapter closes on partisan gerrymanders, others open
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Citizenship question on census barred for now

The Supreme Court split several different ways on Thursday as it ruled on the Trump administration’s plan to ask everyone in the…

Citizenship question on census barred for now
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Partisan gerrymanders insulated from federal court challenge

Ending a search of more than three decades for a formula to judge the constitutionality of partisan gerrymanders of Congress and…

Partisan gerrymanders insulated from federal court challenge
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Down-to-the-wire on the census controversy

Faced with the prospect that a lower court may issue a new ban on adding a citizenship question to the census, the Trump…

Down-to-the-wire on the census controversy
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A crucial week begins for the 2020 census

With the Supreme Court apparently ready to rule this week on a historic controversy over the 2020 census, a federal trial judge on…

A crucial week begins for the 2020 census
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Trump team asks Justices to rule quickly on race issue on census

Moving to keep in check the troubling new race bias issue that could affect the 2020 census, the Trump Administration asked the…

Trump team asks Justices to rule quickly on race issue on census
Blog
Supreme Court allows more religious symbols

A widely-splintered Supreme Court, speaking through a variety of separate opinions, on Thursday agreed to allow governments at all…

Supreme Court allows more religious symbols
Blog
Race bias issue over census to be explored

Finding that “a substantial issue” has been raised in the claim that racial bias led the Trump Administration to plan to ask a…

Race bias issue over census to be explored
Blog
On this day, the Statue of Liberty arrives in America

It’s hard to imagine America without the Statue of Liberty, but the icon of freedom didn’t make its first full appearance in…

On this day, the Statue of Liberty arrives in America
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A new move to head off citizenship question on census

With time running out for the Supreme Court to rule on the Trump Administration’s plan to ask everyone in the nation about their…

A new move to head off citizenship question on census
Blog
Recalling the Supreme Court’s historic statement on contraception and privacy

It was on this day in 1965 that the Supreme Court ruled in a landmark case about contraception use by married couples that laid…

Recalling the Supreme Court’s historic statement on contraception and privacy
Blog
New move to test the race bias issue on the 2020 census

A racial bias claim against the Trump administration about a citizenship question in the 2020 census may potentially complicate…

New move to test the race bias issue on the 2020 census
Blog
A last-minute feud over the 2020 census

With the Supreme Court poised to act soon on the constitutionality of asking everyone in America next year about their…

A last-minute feud over the 2020 census
Blog
Justices take on major states’ rights dispute

Taking on a new case that could draw it back to the very origins of the Constitution, the Supreme Court agreed Monday to decide…

Justices take on major states’ rights dispute
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Trump team urging Justices to act now on DACA

The Trump Administration is now urging the Supreme Court to act swiftly, to decide in the next few weeks on the next step in the…

Trump team urging Justices to act now on DACA
Blog
10 fascinating birthday facts about President John F. Kennedy

On the occasion of President John F. Kennedy’s birthday, here’s a look at one of the most documented figures of the 20th century.

10 fascinating birthday facts about President John F. Kennedy
Blog
A busy Tuesday morning at the Supreme Court

The Supreme Court released four opinions on Tuesday morning, including a decision on an abortion case, and took important actions…

A busy Tuesday morning at the Supreme Court
Blog
Rediscovering the ancient “bill of attainder”

Federal and state judges these days are finding a new assignment: reading up on what the Supreme Court once called “the infamous…

Rediscovering the ancient “bill of attainder”
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Court pace quickens on Trump records disputes

The pace of court review of President Trump’s resistance to handing over his financial records to Congress quickened on…

Court pace quickens on Trump records disputes
Blog
On this day in 1856: Violence on the U.S. Senate floor

A nearly fatal beating on the U.S. senate floor on this day in 1856 was another step toward a Civil War five years later. The…

On this day in 1856: Violence on the U.S. Senate floor
Blog
Sweeping power to investigate Trump’s finances upheld

Ruling that Congress has wide-ranging power to investigate President Donald J. Trump’s finances even without opening an…

Sweeping power to investigate Trump’s finances upheld
Blog
Swift ruling likely in first round of Trump financial records subpoena fight

Constitution Daily contributor Lyle Denniston explains why the fight between House Democrats and the Trump administration over the…

Swift ruling likely in first round of Trump financial records subpoena fight
Blog
The House’s contempt powers explained

The current dispute between Democrats in the House of Representatives and Attorney General William Barr could result in contempt…

The House’s contempt powers explained
Blog
J. Edgar Hoover: The library clerk who became America’s ‘most-powerful man’

On May 2, 1972, FBI director J. Edgar Hoover died of heart disease at a Washington hospital, ending his 48-year total control over…

J. Edgar Hoover: The library clerk who became America’s ‘most-powerful man’
Blog
A bold new plea on religious rights

At a private conference on Friday, the Supreme Court is scheduled for the seventh time since February to ponder the latest request…

A bold new plea on religious rights
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Supreme Court hears extended arguments in 2020 census case

On Tuesday, the nine Supreme Court Justices heard arguments for and against including a citizenship question in the 2020 census, a…

Supreme Court hears extended arguments in 2020 census case
Blog
Major rulings on gay and transgender rights coming

The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to settle the meaning of a 1964 civil rights law that bans discrimination in the workplace…

Major rulings on gay and transgender rights coming
Blog
The Constitution and the Supreme Court census case

Constitutional questions, some subtle and some obvious, some familiar and some unusual, very likely will shape how the Supreme…

The Constitution and the Supreme Court census case
Blog
The Assange Indictment and the First Amendment

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange’s arrest for hacking conspiracy charges last Wednesday has sparked renewed debate over where…

The Assange Indictment and the First Amendment
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The changing narrative on the death penalty

Contributor Lyle Denniston looks at how the core meaning of the Eighth Amendment’s ban on “cruel and unusual punishment”…

The changing narrative on the death penalty
Blog
Tax Day trivia: Why do we have the IRS (and other factoids)?

April 15 is usually marked each year as the traditional deadline for filing taxes, so it’s not exactly celebrated as a holiday.…

Tax Day trivia: Why do we have the IRS (and other factoids)?
Blog
On this day, the 17th Amendment is ratified

On April 8, 1913, Connecticut became the 36th state to ratify the Constitution’s 17th Amendment. Learn about the only amendment…

On this day, the 17th Amendment is ratified
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The constitutional origins of National Beer Day

April 7 is a day celebrated nationally by beer lovers as a big anniversary near the end of Prohibition in 1933, when legal beer…

The constitutional origins of National Beer Day
Blog
How the 22nd Amendment came into existence

The Constitution’s 22nd Amendment is in the news after two congressional members engaged in a spirited debate this week about…

How the 22nd Amendment came into existence
Blog
Did German almost become America’s official language in 1795?

For centuries, stories have persisted about Congress almost approving German as our official language, except for one vote by its…

Did German almost become America’s official language in 1795?
Blog
The Alaska purchase: Folly or good fortune?

On this day in 1867, United States Secretary of State William Seward signed a deal acquiring Alaska, an agreement that was…

The Alaska purchase: Folly or good fortune?
Blog
DOJ moves to oppose all of Obamacare in court

A Justice Department legal filing late Monday night to support a federal court decision killing all of Obamacare has put that…

DOJ moves to oppose all of Obamacare in court
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The fate of partisan gerrymandering – now and later

The campaign to end partisan gerrymandering of seats in Congress and state legislatures, an effort that began a half-century ago,…

The fate of partisan gerrymandering – now and later
Blog
Has the time come to shut down the Electoral College?

Constitution Daily contributor Lyle Denniston looks at the current debate over the Electoral College and why history, as well as…

Has the time come to shut down the Electoral College?
Blog
The seeds of Revolution: The Stamp Act protests in Boston

It was on this day in 1765 that the British Parliament signed the Stamp Act, a move that lit the fuse for a revolution in the…

The seeds of Revolution: The Stamp Act protests in Boston
Blog
Packing the Supreme Court explained

Senator Marco Rubio plans to propose a new constitutional amendment to permanently limit the Supreme Court to nine Justices. While…

Packing the Supreme Court explained
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Supreme Court accepts four cases for its next term

On Monday, the Supreme Court said it will hear arguments in four new cases after October 2019, including an appeal about the…

Supreme Court accepts four cases for its next term
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On This Day:  You have a right to an attorney

It was on this day in 1963 that the Supreme Court handed down the Gideon decision, which guaranteed the rights of the accused to…

On This Day:  You have a right to an attorney
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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…

On this day, the Senate summons President Johnson to his impeachment trial
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Does the census actually count everyone and should it?

The high-stakes fight now unfolding in the Supreme Court over the 2020 census, testing whether everyone in America should be asked…

Does the census actually count everyone and should it?
Blog
The presidential veto power explained

President Donald Trump has threatened to veto any measure passed by Congress that blocks his national emergency declaration to…

The presidential veto power explained
Blog
How far is ERA from being put in the Constitution?

On Monday morning, a crowd – no one knows for sure how big it will be – will gather at a church in Phoenix to start a…

How far is ERA from being put in the Constitution?
Blog
Marbury v. Madison: The Supreme Court claims its power

In an act of “judicial jujitsu,” the Supreme Court issued its decision in Marbury v. Madison on February 24, 1803,…

Marbury v. Madison: The Supreme Court claims its power
Blog
10 fascinating facts about the Washington Monument

The iconic Washington Monument is celebrating its birthday today. Learn how it took 40 years to complete the project, and the…

10 fascinating facts about the Washington Monument
Blog
Supreme Court confirms Excessive Fines Clause applies to states

In a unanimous ruling on Tuesday, the Supreme Court overturned an Indiana Supreme Court decision that said that part of federal…

Supreme Court confirms Excessive Fines Clause applies to states
Blog
Justice Thomas, originalism and the First Amendment

In nearly 28 years on the Supreme Court, Justice Clarence Thomas has been its most unwavering “originalist.” That means that…

Justice Thomas, originalism and the First Amendment
Blog
A big day in the history of the United States Postal Service

On February 20, 1792, President George Washington officially created the modern United States Postal Service by signing a sweeping…

A big day in the history of the United States Postal Service
Blog
Constitutional fight over Trump border wall begins

A group of 16 states asked a federal court in California on Monday night to block the federal government from building a wall…

Constitutional fight over Trump border wall begins
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Jefferson Davis and Abraham Lincoln: Dueling inaugural addresses

On this day in 1861, former U.S. Senator Jefferson Davis took to a podium for his presidential inaugural and gave an impassioned…

Jefferson Davis and Abraham Lincoln: Dueling inaugural addresses
Blog
Justices plan quick ruling on census dispute

Convinced that it must act quickly to settle the issue, the Supreme Court agreed on Friday to decide the legality of adding a…

Justices plan quick ruling on census dispute
Blog
Explaining the controversy over border wall funds and the Constitution

On Friday morning, President Donald Trump said he would declare a national emergency to allocate more funds to expand walls or…

Explaining the controversy over border wall funds and the Constitution
Blog
Three stories of love in the White House

Yes, it’s Valentine’s Day and in a romantic tribute to couples everywhere, it’s time to turn back the pages to remember…

Three stories of love in the White House
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On this day, the English Bill of Rights makes a powerful statement

On February 13, 1689, Parliament in London allowed two new monarchs to take the throne if they honor the rights of English…

On this day, the English Bill of Rights makes a powerful statement
Blog
May Supreme Court census argument would be unusual but not unprecedented

After filings at the Supreme Court on Monday in the census question case, it seems possible the Justices could hear arguments at a…

May Supreme Court census argument would be unusual but not unprecedented
Blog
Supreme Court likely to act this week on census dispute

Moving with unusual speed, the Supreme Court on Monday set the stage for acting soon – probably on Friday – on the…

Supreme Court likely to act this week on census dispute
Blog
Abortion rights safe in Louisiana for now

Over the dissents of four Justices, the Supreme Court on Thursday night temporarily barred the state of Louisiana from enforcing a…

Abortion rights safe in Louisiana for now
Blog
The day the Senate picked a U.S. vice president on its own

One of the little-understood provisions of the 12th Amendment allows the U.S. Senate to name a Vice President under very limited…

The day the Senate picked a U.S. vice president on its own
Blog
Why is there a designated survivor for the State of the Union?

For a brief period on Tuesday night, a member of President Donald Trump’s Cabinet will be locked away during his State of the…

Why is there a designated survivor for the State of the Union?
Blog
On this day, the first African American sworn in as Supreme Court lawyer

On February 1, 1865—the same day President Lincoln signed sent the Thirteenth Amendment abolishing slavery to the states—John…

On this day, the first African American sworn in as Supreme Court lawyer
Blog
Louisiana abortion doctor law delayed

Saying the Supreme Court needs time to ponder the issue, Justice Samuel A. Alito, Jr., on Friday evening delayed for six days a…

Louisiana abortion doctor law delayed
Blog
Plea for new ruling upholding Obamacare fails for now

An attempt by the state of Maryland to get a federal judge to uphold the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act…

Plea for new ruling upholding Obamacare fails for now
Blog
Looking back at the Church Committee

On January 27, 1975, Senator Frank Church led a new Senate committee formed to investigate allegations of U.S. government spying…

Looking back at the Church Committee
Blog
Justices urged to swiftly decide the census dispute

Arguing that the need is urgent for a rapid Supreme Court review of the legality of adding a citizenship question to the 2020…

Justices urged to swiftly decide the census dispute
Blog
How will the federal courts function if the shutdown continues?

This week, the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts said it could sustain its current operations until January 31 if the…

How will the federal courts function if the shutdown continues?
Blog
On this day: Shays’ Rebellion was thwarted

On this day in 1787, Shays’ rebellion effectively ended in Springfield, Mass., when its forces failed to capture a federal…

On this day: Shays’ Rebellion was thwarted
Blog
Happy birthday, 20th and 24th Amendments

Today we celebrate the ratification of not one, but two constitutional amendments: the 20th Amendment (ratified January 23, 1933)…

Happy birthday, 20th and 24th Amendments
Blog
An ambitious – and hesitant – day at the Supreme Court

Alone among America’s federal courts, the one at the top of the hierarchy has very wide discretion on what it decides, and when.…

An ambitious – and hesitant – day at the Supreme Court
Blog
Government can enforce transgender-in-military limits

Giving the Trump Administration its second major victory in recent months for a highly controversial public policy, a deeply…

Government can enforce transgender-in-military limits
Blog
Justices consider expanding gun rights

For the first time since it gave broad new constitutional protection to individuals’ gun rights more than a decade ago, the…

Justices consider expanding gun rights
Blog
Supreme Court denies appeal in football prayer case

The Supreme Court has turned down a request from a former Washington state public high school football coach over his right to…

Supreme Court denies appeal in football prayer case
Blog
Is DACA stuck in limbo at the Supreme Court?

Last Friday, the Supreme Court made news by not taking action on the high-profile Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (or DACA)…

Is DACA stuck in limbo at the Supreme Court?
Blog
Justices cancel hearing on census and citizenship

In a brief order Friday afternoon, the Supreme Court canceled a hearing that had been set for February 19 on the controversy over…

Justices cancel hearing on census and citizenship
Blog
The Supreme Court mulls historic church preservation case

When can public funds be used to preserve historic buildings, if the structures also happen to be churches? A case from New Jersey…

The Supreme Court mulls historic church preservation case
Blog
Final review of citizenship query shaping up

Lawyers on both sides of the constitutional controversy over asking everyone in America, during next year’s census, about their…

Final review of citizenship query shaping up
Blog
Can the House delay the State of the Union address?

On Wednesday, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi urged President Donald Trump to delay his scheduled State of the Union speech to…

Can the House delay the State of the Union address?
Blog
New birth control limits now blocked nationwide

The Trump Administration has now lost – even if only temporarily – the authority to enforce anywhere in the nation a set of…

New birth control limits now blocked nationwide
Blog
Judge bars citizenship question on 2020 census

In a ruling almost certain to be swiftly challenged in the Supreme Court, a federal trial judge in New York City on Tuesday barred…

Judge bars citizenship question on 2020 census
Blog
New limits on birth control blocked

One day before the Trump Administration was to begin enforcing sweeping new limits on women’s access to free birth-control…

New limits on birth control blocked
Blog
The Youngstown decision and a possible border wall declaration

With statements from President Trump that a national emergency declaration could be an option to build a border wall, one of the…

The Youngstown decision and a possible border wall declaration
Blog
Justices won’t block mystery criminal case subpoena

With no Justice noting a dissent, the Supreme Court on Tuesday afternoon reinstated a federal judge’s fine of $50,000 a day on…

Justices won’t block mystery criminal case subpoena
Blog
The debate over emergency powers and the border wall

President Donald Trump’s statement that he is considering using emergency presidential powers to build a border wall has…

The debate over emergency powers and the border wall
Blog
Supreme Court reopens partisan gerrymander issue

Setting the stage for another attempt to decide the constitutionality of partisan-gerrymandered election districts, the Supreme…

Supreme Court reopens partisan gerrymander issue
Blog
House-Trump constitutional fight over Obamacare looms

The House of Representatives – now under Democratic control – has moved to enter a federal court case to provide a robust…

House-Trump constitutional fight over Obamacare looms
Blog
For National Trivia Day: 10 Founding Fathers tidbits

Can you handle the truth about the Founders and the Constitution? From the vault of our Constitution Daily blog, here are 10…

For National Trivia Day: 10 Founding Fathers tidbits
Blog
Obamacare to remain in effect for months

A federal judge in Texas decided on Sunday night to put on hold his ruling that the Affordable Care Act (“Obamacare”) is…

Obamacare to remain in effect for months
Blog
Is Andrew Johnson the worst president in American history?

Today marks the birthday of perhaps the most-maligned president in American history. But was Andrew Johnson really that bad, or…

Is Andrew Johnson the worst president in American history?
Blog
The Supreme Court Year in Review

As 2018 winds now, it was another memorable year for the Supreme Court.  Here’s a look at some of the major cases decided by…

The Supreme Court Year in Review
Blog
When Festivus was recognized as a religion for several months

Eight years ago, an inmate in California and his lawyer convinced a judge that the Seinfeld-inspired holiday Festivus was a…

When Festivus was recognized as a religion for several months
Blog
Is Supreme Court weighing Mueller’s powers?

A case shrouded in secrecy reached the Supreme Court on Saturday afternoon amid hints that it puts Special Counsel Robert…

Is Supreme Court weighing Mueller’s powers?
Blog
All sides agree that Obamacare is safe – for now

All sides in the Texas courtroom battle over the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act (“Obamacare”) now agree that the…

All sides agree that Obamacare is safe – for now
Blog
Supreme Court keeps asylum limits on hold

Over the dissents of four Justices, the Supreme Court refused on Friday to allow the Trump Administration to put back into effect…

Supreme Court keeps asylum limits on hold
Blog
The story behind the oddest White House summit ever

The secret meeting was brief at the White House, and it involved a U.S. President and a King, of sorts. And even today, it…

The story behind the oddest White House summit ever
Blog
A guide to a potential partial federal government shutdown

As another potential government shutdown looms later this week, people are making plans about how to deal with furloughs, park…

A guide to a potential partial federal government shutdown
Blog
Katz v. United States: The Fourth Amendment adapts to new technology

On December 18, 1967, the Supreme Court ruled in Katz v. United States, expanding the Fourth Amendment protection against…

Katz v. United States: The Fourth Amendment adapts to new technology
Blog
Is Obamacare about to collapse?

Constitution Daily contributor Lyle Denniston explains what will happen next in the latest constitutional challenge to the…

Is Obamacare about to collapse?
Blog
Texas federal judge strikes down entire Obamacare law

Eight years after Congress wrote a massive overhaul of the nation’s health care industry, a federal trial judge in Texas has…

Texas federal judge strikes down entire Obamacare law
Blog
A new government challenge to transgender in the military

Federal government lawyers have asked the Supreme Court to get permission to enforce a new transgender military ban policy in some…

A new government challenge to transgender in the military
Blog
Once again, holiday displays face First Amendment questions

It is the season for controversy about public holiday displays, and this year’s stories include a fight over a cross in Missouri…

Once again, holiday displays face First Amendment questions
Blog
Supreme Court drawn into asylum controversy

The Trump Administration rushed to the Supreme Court Tuesday, asking permission to put back into place new restrictions on…

Supreme Court drawn into asylum controversy
Blog
Broad review of partisan gerrymandering urged

A group of Maryland Republican voters, claiming that they were penalized for supporting their party’s candidates in the polling…

Broad review of partisan gerrymandering urged
Blog
Supreme Court declines Planned Parenthood funding challenge

A divided Supreme Court on Monday turned down an attempt by two states to deny efforts to fund Planned Parenthood.

Supreme Court declines Planned Parenthood funding challenge
Blog
When Congress last used its powers to declare war

Today marks an important anniversary in American history: the congressional declaration of war on Japan on December 8, 1941. But…

When Congress last used its powers to declare war
Blog
Pearl Harbor’s role in a historic Supreme Court decision

One of the most controversial decisions in Supreme Court history was caused by aftershocks of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor,…

Pearl Harbor’s role in a historic Supreme Court decision
Blog
Survey: High school students, teachers differ on the First Amendment

A new Knight Foundation survey shows high school students compared with their teachers more strongly support certain First…

Survey: High school students, teachers differ on the First Amendment
Blog
New partisan gerrymander case reaches Justices

Arguing that a state should not have to re-draw its congressional districts twice in a short time span, Maryland officials asked…

New partisan gerrymander case reaches Justices
Blog
Remembering Former President, National Constitution Center chair George H.W. Bush

On the news of the passing of George H.W. Bush, Constitution Daily is republishing our annual post about interesting facets of the…

Remembering Former President, National Constitution Center chair George H.W. Bush
Blog
Space Force could hit a constitutional roadblock: The House

According to a report from Politico, President Donald Trump intends to ask Congress to establish the Space Force as an independent…

Space Force could hit a constitutional roadblock: The House
Blog
Supreme Court bounces frog case back to appeals court

On Tuesday, the Supreme Court ruled that a dispute over the dusky gopher frog needs to head back to a federal appeals court to…

Supreme Court bounces frog case back to appeals court
Blog
New attempt to stop the census dispute case

The Trump Administration on Monday evening again urged the Supreme Court to halt all further proceedings in a case about a…

New attempt to stop the census dispute case
Blog
Apple defends its App Store at the Supreme Court

Can Apple be held accountable if consumers think products in its App store are too expensive because Apple has a monopoly on…

Apple defends its App Store at the Supreme Court
Blog
Transgender-in-the-military dispute reaches Supreme Court

Attempting once again a highly unusual legal maneuver for getting prompt Supreme Court review of major controversial issues, the…

Transgender-in-the-military dispute reaches Supreme Court
Blog
Chief Justice, President in a public feud

Almost two years after President Donald Trump began a continuing campaign of criticism of federal judges who rule against him,…

Chief Justice, President in a public feud
Blog
Climate change trial now faces long delay

Seeming to suggest that higher courts have left no other choice, a federal trial judge in Eugene, Ore., ordered a months-long…

Climate change trial now faces long delay
Blog
Judge issues temporary restraining order on Trump asylum policy

A federal judge has temporarily halted a Trump administration policy to bar asylum seekers entry into the United States unless…

Judge issues temporary restraining order on Trump asylum policy
Blog
Trump Administration tries again to stop census trial

Trying again to stop a trial in a federal court in a constitutional dispute over the 2020 census, the Trump Administration has…

Trump Administration tries again to stop census trial
Blog
10 fascinating facts about Robert F. Kennedy

On this day in 1925, Robert F. Kennedy was born in Brookline, Mass. Kennedy was one of the seminal figures of the 1960s and led a…

10 fascinating facts about Robert F. Kennedy
Blog
Read six different versions of the Gettysburg Address

There were five versions of the Gettysburg Address that were acknowledged by Abraham Lincoln in his lifetime. Here are those…

Read six different versions of the Gettysburg Address
Blog
Justices take on a dispute over the 2020 census

The Supreme Court agreed on Friday to decide, on a speeded-up schedule, a dispute over the Trump Administration’s decision to…

Justices take on a dispute over the 2020 census
Blog
CNN gets temporary due process ruling in Trump case

A federal judge granted a temporary restraining order on Friday allowing CNN reporter Jim Acosta to regain his White House press…

CNN gets temporary due process ruling in Trump case
Blog
Justices to get second partisan gerrymander case

State officials in Maryland moved Thursday to take a new partisan gerrymandering case to the Supreme Court, and both sides in the…

Justices to get second partisan gerrymander case
Blog
JFK’s warnings about television, money and politics ring true today

On November 14, 1959, TV Guide published a brief essay about politics and television by Senator John F. Kennedy that contained…

JFK’s warnings about television, money and politics ring true today
Blog
Whitaker’s Acting Attorney General appointment heads to court

The state of Maryland is asking a federal judge to rule that current acting U.S. Attorney General Matthew G. Whitaker can’t…

Whitaker’s Acting Attorney General appointment heads to court
Blog
Shutdown, border wall highlight lame-duck session

On Tuesday, Congress starts its final or “lame duck” session to end the year, with several major issues to resolve before 2019…

Shutdown, border wall highlight lame-duck session
Blog
Semper Fi! Happy birthday to the Marine Corps

It was on this day in 1775 that the Continental Congress officially created the Marines to lead the fight “on land and at sea”…

Semper Fi! Happy birthday to the Marine Corps
Blog
Ninth Circuit rules against Trump administration on DACA

Quoting the Supreme Court’s landmark Marbury v. Madison decision, a three-judge Ninth Circuit has upheld a nationwide injunction…

Ninth Circuit rules against Trump administration on DACA
Blog
Was gerrymandering the stealth issue in the 2018 midterms?

As the dust settles on the 2018 midterm elections, one outcome that could last longer than the immediate vote is the election’s…

Was gerrymandering the stealth issue in the 2018 midterms?
Blog
Jeff Sessions’ removal rare but not without precedent

On Wednesday, President Donald Trump asked for the resignation of Jeff Sessions, effectively firing his own Attorney General, in a…

Jeff Sessions’ removal rare but not without precedent
Blog
What constitutional powers do the Democrats get by winning the House?

The Democratic Party will have a majority in the House of Representatives for the first time since early 2011. How will that…

What constitutional powers do the Democrats get by winning the House?
Blog
Midterms result in a divided Congress

After a heavy turnout in the 2018 midterm elections, Democrats won control of the House of Representatives, while the Republicans…

Midterms result in a divided Congress
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Government asks Supreme Court to shut down DACA

The Trump Administration has asked the Supreme Court to end Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (or DACA) program and to do so…

Government asks Supreme Court to shut down DACA
Blog
How midterm elections have changed Congress since 1946

Today, Americans are heading to the polls for midterm elections, where the entire House and 35 Senate seats will be up for grabs.…

How midterm elections have changed Congress since 1946
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Justices rebuff Administration in two key cases

The Supreme Court late Friday afternoon sent the Trump Administration two quite clear signals that the government has been…

Justices rebuff Administration in two key cases
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Supreme Court takes Bladensburg Peace Cross case

The Supreme Court will hear arguments in a highly publicized case from Maryland about the possible demolition of a memorial cross…

Supreme Court takes Bladensburg Peace Cross case
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Breaking down the birthright citizenship debate

President Donald Trump’s push to end birthright citizenship for the children of undocumented immigrants will be getting a good…

Breaking down the birthright citizenship debate
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Testing who is a “birthright citizen”

President Trump has started a new debate about what the Constitution’s “Citizenship Clause” means, but the final answer no…

Testing who is a “birthright citizen”
Blog
How congressional elections have changed since 1789

On Tuesday, November 6, 2018, voters across America will choose a new Congress to start serving in January 2019. Today’s process…

How congressional elections have changed since 1789
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Administration seeks delay of trial over census

Arguing that one of President Trump’s Cabinet secretaries should not have to answer lawyers’ questions about citizenship in…

Administration seeks delay of trial over census
Blog
10 little-known facts about the ultimate patriot, John Adams

John Adams is one of the pivotal figures in American history, as a political philosopher, patriot, statesman, father – and the…

10 little-known facts about the ultimate patriot, John Adams
Blog
Supreme Court ends Pennsylvania election map debate

Without comment, the Supreme Court on Monday denied an appeal from Pennsylvania Republicans about a new election map for…

Supreme Court ends Pennsylvania election map debate
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Administration opposes transgender civil rights shield

The Trump Administration has switched its own legal position on applying civil rights law to protect transgender people, in a…

Administration opposes transgender civil rights shield
Blog
Trump team makes final plea to end climate case

Escalating its rhetoric in a final plea to the Supreme Court to shut down an imminent trial on the federal government’s role in…

Trump team makes final plea to end climate case
Blog
Retired Justice O’Connor withdrawing from public life

With praise from Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr., as a “towering figure in the history of the United States and indeed the…

Retired Justice O’Connor withdrawing from public life
Blog
Reconstruction-era law limits National Guard as border guards

In recent days, President Donald Trump has threatened to deploy National Guard members to block a mass-immigration situation at…

Reconstruction-era law limits National Guard as border guards
Blog
Climate change case blocked — for now

Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr., on Friday evening ordered at least a temporary halt in a children’s lawsuit seeking to hold…

Climate change case blocked — for now
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Pinky the Dog gets her day at Iowa’s Supreme Court

A dispute about a dog that bit a cat is now at Iowa’s Supreme Court and it addresses an important question about how…

Pinky the Dog gets her day at Iowa’s Supreme Court
Blog
Remembering another important Lincoln in American history

Today marks the anniversary of the American victory at Yorktown, which effectively ended the Revolutionary War. But did you know…

Remembering another important Lincoln in American history
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Trump team wants kids’ climate case shut down now

The Trump Administration, out of patience with lower courts’ handling of a sweeping, three-year-old lawsuit demanding that the…

Trump team wants kids’ climate case shut down now
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Trump climate appeal at Supreme Court today

Lawyers for the Trump Administration plan to ask the Supreme Court on Wednesday to halt a trial set to begin in two weeks of a…

Trump climate appeal at Supreme Court today
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Judge clears way for trial of kids’ climate change case

A federal trial judge in Oregon said on Monday that a group of teenagers is entitled to a court test of their claim about a…

Judge clears way for trial of kids’ climate change case
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Supreme Court takes public access TV case with bigger implications

The Supreme Court will settle a dispute over a video that aired on a New York City public access television channel that could…

Supreme Court takes public access TV case with bigger implications
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New course on Supreme Court goes online

A new college-level course, on “The Supreme Court and American Politics,” went online this month with scores of students from…

New course on Supreme Court goes online
Blog
10 fascinating facts on President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s birthday

Dwight Eisenhower was a rarity in American politics when he won the presidency in 1952 in his first campaign as a politician. So…

10 fascinating facts on President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s birthday
Blog
A wine case worth watching at the Supreme Court

It’s rare for the Supreme Court to take new cases about the 21st Amendment, which ended Prohibition. But sometime next year, the…

A wine case worth watching at the Supreme Court
Blog
On this day, FDR approves funding the Manhattan Project

On this day in 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt orders Dr. Vannevar Bush to move forward with a top-secret project that led…

On this day, FDR approves funding the Manhattan Project
Blog
Justice Kavanaugh takes oaths, now ready to work

The Supreme Court announced on Saturday afternoon that the new Justice, Brett M. Kavanaugh, would promptly take two oaths, so that…

Justice Kavanaugh takes oaths, now ready to work
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Senate confirms Kavanaugh to Supreme Court

On Saturday afternoon, the Senate voted to confirm Brett M. Kavanaugh as the 114th Justice to serve on the Supreme Court.

Senate confirms Kavanaugh to Supreme Court
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A look at the closest Court confirmation ever

Today the U.S. Senate voted to confirm Brett M. Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court by a vote of 51-49. Although the vote margin…

A look at the closest Court confirmation ever
Blog
A new Justice is on the way

In a matter of hours, a 53-year-old federal judge with a fully developed conservative view of law and the Constitution will become…

A new Justice is on the way
Blog
A plea to end all partisan gerrymandering challenges

Reopening a deeply divisive controversy that has troubled the Supreme Court for 32 years, four state legislators from North…

A plea to end all partisan gerrymandering challenges
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A tale of two crosses at the Supreme Court

Two different appeals at the Supreme Court are asking the Justices to reconsider rulings that bar the display of large crosses on…

A tale of two crosses at the Supreme Court
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Supreme Court’s frog case may be one for the record books

On Monday, the Supreme Court started its new term hearing arguments about a subject never really discussed on the bench before:…

Supreme Court’s frog case may be one for the record books
Blog
Supreme Court denies border shooting, beach access cases

On Monday, the Supreme Court released a long list of cases it won’t hear for arguments during its new term, and three cases we…

Supreme Court denies border shooting, beach access cases
Blog
Will the Kavanaugh episode damage the Supreme Court?

Constitution Daily contributor Lyle Denniston, who has written about the Supreme Court since 1958, looks at the current…

Will the Kavanaugh episode damage the Supreme Court?
Blog
A look at the Vacancies Reform Act

This week, an obscure act of Congress is getting a lot of attention in the discussion over Rod Rosenstein’s future in…

A look at the Vacancies Reform Act
Blog
Takings, monument cases top Court’s Long Conference list

On Monday, the eight Justices currently on the Supreme Court will consider a long list of appeals for its next term, including…

Takings, monument cases top Court’s Long Conference list
Blog
Partisan gerrymandering on fast track to Supreme Court

The Supreme Court will get another chance in its next term to decide the long-unresolved question of whether partisan…

Partisan gerrymandering on fast track to Supreme Court
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Excerpt: America Is Living James Madison’s Nightmare

In this excerpt from The Atlantic’s October 2018 print edition, National Constitution Center president and CEO Jeffrey Rosen…

Excerpt: America Is Living James Madison’s Nightmare
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What happens next in the Supreme Court confirmation process?

On Friday, the Senate Judiciary Committee is scheduled to end its public hearings about Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation to the…

What happens next in the Supreme Court confirmation process?
Blog
Should the Excessive Fines Clause apply against the states?

Is there a situation where some rights guaranteed in the Bill of Rights don’t apply at a state level? A new case at the Supreme…

Should the Excessive Fines Clause apply against the states?
Blog
West Virginia’s Supreme Court drama unfolds

West Virginia’s Supreme Court impeachment proceedings could be seen as a move to check a corrupt court or an attack on a state…

West Virginia’s Supreme Court drama unfolds
Blog
DACA survives – for now – a new court challenge

Finding that Texas and other states waited too long to challenge a program to spare hundreds of thousands of young, undocumented…

DACA survives – for now – a new court challenge
Blog
How a hurricane brought Alexander Hamilton to America

How different would America have been without a hurricane that hit St. Croix in late August 1772? Without it, Alexander Hamilton…

How a hurricane brought Alexander Hamilton to America
Blog
Is there a constitutional right to market “fake meats”?

A battle is brewing in federal court over a new Missouri law that bans associating plant-based foods such as Tofurky with meat or…

Is there a constitutional right to market “fake meats”?
Blog
The teenage voter and the Constitution

A part of the Constitution – the only part that deals with discrimination based on age – has existed for 47 years, but has…

The teenage voter and the Constitution
Blog
Big test case coming on digital copyright

An important case due to reach the Supreme Court soon seeks to test the legality of collecting a massive database of recorded TV…

Big test case coming on digital copyright
Blog
Judge extends 3-D gun blueprint ban until case is resolved

A federal judge in Seattle has issued a preliminary national injunction blocking a website from offering 3-D-printer gun…

Judge extends 3-D gun blueprint ban until case is resolved
Blog
10 fascinating facts about the National Park Service

Today marks the anniversary of the 1916 Organic Act that created the National Park Service. So how much has the Park Service grown…

10 fascinating facts about the National Park Service
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The Space Force and the Constitution

The Trump administration’s proposal to create a sixth military service branch to focus on space warfare is raising an…

The Space Force and the Constitution
Blog
Looking ahead: Cases for the Supreme Court’s next term

Coming up in October, the Supreme Court starts a new term and hears new cases. Here’s a quick look at three cases the Justices…

Looking ahead: Cases for the Supreme Court’s next term
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3-D gun plan dispute gets hearing next week

Next Tuesday, a federal judge based in Washington state will hear arguments about the efforts of 19 states to block a website from…

3-D gun plan dispute gets hearing next week
Blog
Another border shooting case could be heading to Supreme Court

A Ninth Circuit appeals court ruling may bring a question back to the Supreme Court about the ability to sue border agents at the…

Another border shooting case could be heading to Supreme Court
Blog
Do digital service users have a right to remain anonymous?

A federal judge’s ruling earlier this week raises an interesting First Amendment question about the anonymous use of a digital…

Do digital service users have a right to remain anonymous?
Blog
A right to literacy as the “Pathway from Slavery to Freedom”?

In this commentary, Jeffrey Shulman from Georgetown Law looks at a recent federal court decision about a constitutional right to…

A right to literacy as the “Pathway from Slavery to Freedom”?
Blog
An update on the Emoluments cases

Among the legal challenges faced by the Trump administration is one centered on obscure parts of the Constitution, two sections…

An update on the Emoluments cases
Blog
Supreme Court refuses, for now, to block kids’ climate case

With no noted dissent, the Supreme Court on Monday turned down — for now — the Trump Administration’s request to delay or…

Supreme Court refuses, for now, to block kids’ climate case
Blog
Justice Anthony Kennedy in retirement: A different life

Tuesday, by his choice, is the last day of Justice Anthony M. Kennedy’s 30-year career on the Supreme Court.  If retirement…

Justice Anthony Kennedy in retirement: A different life
Blog
10 fascinating facts on the Postal Service’s birthday

On July 26, 1775, the Continental Congress created the first version of the Post Office, naming Benjamin Franklin as the first…

10 fascinating facts on the Postal Service’s birthday
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Justice Kennedy’s last task: something familiar

Lyle Denniston looks at a case about environmental rights filed by teenagers that could lead to one of Justice Anthony M.…

Justice Kennedy’s last task: something familiar
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The Scopes Monkey trial and the Constitution

On July 21, 1925, the famous Scopes Monkey trial over teaching evolution in public schools concluded. Mostly remembered today was…

The Scopes Monkey trial and the Constitution
Blog
The New Supreme Court

Jeffrey Rosen leads a discussion about the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh, Justice Gorsuch’s first year on the Supreme Court, and…

The New Supreme Court
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A historical footnote: Supreme Court Justice Alexander Hamilton?

For a brief moment in 1795, George Washington’s attorney general floated an idea that didn’t have a chance of success but…

A historical footnote: Supreme Court Justice Alexander Hamilton?
Blog
Interactive Constitution: The Seventeenth Amendment

David N. Schleicher and Todd J. Zywicki look at how the Seventeenth Amendment removed from state legislatures the power to…

Interactive Constitution: The Seventeenth Amendment
Blog
Happy 150th Birthday, 14th Amendment

Leading Civil War and Reconstruction scholars discuss the history and meaning of the 14th Amendment in celebration of its 150th…

Happy 150th Birthday, 14th Amendment
Blog
Can a Vice President be charged with a crime while in office?

On July 12, 1804, Vice President Aaron Burr faced the prospect of murder charges after shooting Alexander Hamilton. Why didn’t…

Can a Vice President be charged with a crime while in office?
Blog
10 facts about John Quincy Adams on his birthday

Though he served for only one term, the scion of John and Abigail Adams left an indelible mark on American history.

10 facts about John Quincy Adams on his birthday
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The biggest tests the new Justice would face

Constitution Daily contributor Lyle Denniston takes a comprehensive look at the key cases that could be considered in a different…

The biggest tests the new Justice would face
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Trump nominates Kavanaugh as Justice Kennedy’s replacement

On Monday night, President Donald Trump nominated Brett Kavanaugh to join the Supreme Court to replace the retiring Justice…

Trump nominates Kavanaugh as Justice Kennedy’s replacement
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A quick look at the “final four” Supreme Court candidates

President Donald Trump will announce his Supreme Court nominee tonight at 9 p.m. EDT. Here is a brief look at the four candidates…

A quick look at the “final four” Supreme Court candidates
Blog
John Bingham: One of America’s forgotten “Second Founders”

Although forgotten by most Americans, John Bingham is one of the most important figures in American constitutional history.…

John Bingham: One of America’s forgotten “Second Founders”
Blog
New threat to DACA: Trump victory on entry ban

A federal judge in Texas has given the Trump Administration a chance to apply its victory last week in the Supreme Court against…

New threat to DACA: Trump victory on entry ban
Blog
Why does the Supreme Court have nine Justices?

Next Monday night, President Donald Trump will announce his nominee to replace Anthony Kennedy as the Supreme Court’s ninth…

Why does the Supreme Court have nine Justices?
Blog
Is Roe v. Wade at risk now?

After Justice Anthony M. Kennedy announced he was retiring from the Supreme Court, the politicians, the pundits and news reporters…

Is Roe v. Wade at risk now?
Blog
Justice Kennedy’s legacy in the gay rights decisions

Anthony Kennedy’s career on the Supreme Court bench was marked by several important decisions as the court’s swing vote. But…

Justice Kennedy’s legacy in the gay rights decisions
Blog
Justice Kennedy retires; major change coming to Supreme Court

Ending an era, and almost certainly guaranteeing strong conservative control of the Supreme Court, Justice Anthony M. Kennedy, 81,…

Justice Kennedy retires; major change coming to Supreme Court
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How will Justice Anthony Kennedy be replaced?

On Wednesday afternoon, Justice Anthony Kennedy announced his retirement from the Supreme Court. So what happens next in the…

How will Justice Anthony Kennedy be replaced?
Blog
How Justice Kennedy replaced Powell (and Bork) at the Court

Thirty years ago, a unanimous Senate approved Anthony Kennedy’s nomination to the Supreme Court. The federal judge wasn’t…

How Justice Kennedy replaced Powell (and Bork) at the Court
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Has the First Amendment been “weaponized”?

The Supreme Court ended its latest term in mid-morning Wednesday after having set for itself and lower courts a daunting…

Has the First Amendment been “weaponized”?
Blog
Supreme Court overturns union-fees precedent

A divided Supreme Court said on Wednesday that public-sector employees who don’t belong to unions can’t be forced to pay union…

Supreme Court overturns union-fees precedent
Blog
Family separation: a constitutional fight, too

The political and human rights controversy over the Trump Administration policy of family separation as a form of immigration…

Family separation: a constitutional fight, too
Blog
Did the Supreme Court just overrule the Korematsu decision?

In today’s Supreme Court divided decision on the Trump administration’s travel ban, two Justices went where the bench seldom…

Did the Supreme Court just overrule the Korematsu decision?
Blog
Trump wins on foreigners’ entry ban

In a sweeping endorsement of presidential power over who may enter the United States and a huge political victory for President…

Trump wins on foreigners’ entry ban
Blog
Supreme Court rules in Texas gerrymandering dispute

A divided Supreme Court said on Monday that a lower federal court erred when it tried to prevent election maps from going into…

Supreme Court rules in Texas gerrymandering dispute
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No new guidance from Supreme Court on gay marriage, gerrymanders

Choosing – for now – to go to the sidelines on two highly controversial constitutional issues, the Supreme Court on Monday…

No new guidance from Supreme Court on gay marriage, gerrymanders
Blog
Supreme Court Justices broaden cellphone privacy

Voicing computer-age worry about Americans’ privacy when they use their telephones, a sharply split Supreme Court ruled on…

Supreme Court Justices broaden cellphone privacy
Blog
Supreme Court decides against Double Jeopardy appeal

On Friday morning, the Supreme Court decided against a Virginia man’s claim that he faced double jeopardy because he faced…

Supreme Court decides against Double Jeopardy appeal
Blog
Supreme Court Scorecard: The 2018 Edition (Updated 6/27/2018)

Here is an update on significant decisions that were expected to be handed down from the Supreme Court into late June.

Supreme Court Scorecard: The 2018 Edition (Updated 6/27/2018)
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Court says administrative law judges subject to Appointments Clause

A divided Supreme Court said on Thursday that SEC administrative law judges appointed by staffers should be appointed by the…

Court says administrative law judges subject to Appointments Clause
Blog
Supreme Court tells E-commerce it must collect and pay more taxes

In a huge constitutional favor for cash-short state governments’ treasuries and for struggling brick-and-mortar retail stores, a…

Supreme Court tells E-commerce it must collect and pay more taxes
Blog
Four cases to watch as the Supreme Court nears end of current term

The Supreme Court is getting ready to release its remaining major decisions by late June. Here is a quick look at four big cases…

Four cases to watch as the Supreme Court nears end of current term
Blog
The partisan gerrymander dispute goes on

The Supreme Court, showing once again its reluctance to take a bold step to put some limits on the decades-long practice of…

The partisan gerrymander dispute goes on
Blog
Supreme Court’s mixed decision on the polling place clothing case

Last week, a divided Supreme Court said a Minnesota law barring political clothing within polling places is unconstitutional, but…

Supreme Court’s mixed decision on the polling place clothing case
Blog
California three-state plan faces major legal, political hurdles

On Tuesday, California’s secretary of state announced that enough petition signatures were certified to place an initiative on…

California three-state plan faces major legal, political hurdles
Blog
Supreme Court sides with Ohio in voter-rolls dispute

A divided Supreme Court on Monday allowed the state of Ohio’s voter-registration list maintenance policies to remain in place,…

Supreme Court sides with Ohio in voter-rolls dispute
Blog
Divided Supreme Court reaffirms salmon culvert decision

On Monday morning, the Supreme Court let a federal appeals decision stand about tribal fishing rights in Washington state, when a…

Divided Supreme Court reaffirms salmon culvert decision
Blog
New Supreme Court test coming on DACA?

The Trump Administration has now laid out a new plan about ending a six-year-old program protecting young undocumented immigrants…

New Supreme Court test coming on DACA?
Blog
Sweeping new Trump challenge to Obamacare

For the first time, the Trump Administration moved on Thursday to challenge the constitutionality of the key section of the…

Sweeping new Trump challenge to Obamacare
Blog
Are the Justices ready for another gay wedding case?

The Supreme Court will soon show how eager – or how hesitant – it is to move ahead in defining the government’s power to…

Are the Justices ready for another gay wedding case?
Blog
The Supreme Court’s polling place dress-code case

Does the First Amendment protect messages on clothing people wear when casting their votes at polling places? That’s a…

The Supreme Court’s polling place dress-code case
Blog
Trump appeals Twitter ruling, unblocks plaintiffs

The Justice Department, as expected, will appeal a federal district court ruling about President Donald Trump’s Twitter habits.

Trump appeals Twitter ruling, unblocks plaintiffs
Blog
The legal battle over teen abortion goes on

Overtaken by changing developments in lower courts, the Supreme Court acted narrowly on Monday to end one of the challenges to the…

The legal battle over teen abortion goes on
Blog
A limited start on gay couples’ marital rights

Three years after finding a constitutional right for gay and lesbian couples to get married, the Supreme Court chose on Monday to…

A limited start on gay couples’ marital rights
Blog
Supreme Court rules for baker in wedding-cake dispute

A divided Supreme Court said on Monday that a Colorado baker and cake artist was wrongly censored by the state of Colorado for…

Supreme Court rules for baker in wedding-cake dispute
Blog
Explaining the presidential self-pardon debate

Last July, we looked at the debate over presidential self-pardons as part of a review of overall executive pardon powers under the…

Explaining the presidential self-pardon debate
Blog
An old constitutional question in the Trump Twitter case

If a federal judge wants Donald Trump to stop blocking users on his Twitter account, does the President need to comply? Or is the…

An old constitutional question in the Trump Twitter case
Blog
Can a dormant proposed constitutional amendment come back to life?

This week, the state of Illinois voted to ratify the proposed Equal Rights Amendment to the Constitution 36 years after its…

Can a dormant proposed constitutional amendment come back to life?
Blog
The Interactive Constitution: The 17th Amendment

On May 31, 1913, the 17th Amendment went into effect, changing how Senators are elected. In this essay from our Interactive…

The Interactive Constitution: The 17th Amendment
Blog
Repealing the 17th Amendment would be no small task

Back on this day in 1913, the 17th Amendment to the Constitution went into effect, ending indirect elections to the U.S. Senate.…

Repealing the 17th Amendment would be no small task
Blog
Supreme Court finds exception in automobile-search precedent

In an 8-1 decision on Tuesday, the Supreme Court said police in Virginia couldn’t use a Facebook photo as cause to examine a…

Supreme Court finds exception in automobile-search precedent
Blog
A landmark Supreme Court decision faces extinction

On May 12, 1977, the Supreme Court set a precedent about union dues and public-worker unions that could be overturned in the next…

A landmark Supreme Court decision faces extinction
Blog
Supreme Court rules for employers in significant arbitration case

In a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court said on Monday that employees who agreed to individual arbitration in employer disputes…

Supreme Court rules for employers in significant arbitration case
Blog
Talk grows about sports betting decision’s impact on cannabis laws

How will the Supreme Court’s recent decision about sports betting influence conflicts between federal and state laws? One area…

Talk grows about sports betting decision’s impact on cannabis laws
Blog
A new test of the Roe v. Wade decision

A new lawsuit in defense of women’s right to an abortion landed in a state trial court in Iowa this week, and everyone involved…

A new test of the Roe v. Wade decision
Blog
A royal and constitutional citizenship question

On Saturday, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will exchange wedding vows at Windsor Castle. So what happens to the American…

A royal and constitutional citizenship question
Blog
Supreme Court bypasses new claim about gun rights

Continuing its pattern of refusing to clarify the gun rights that are protected by the Second Amendment, the Supreme Court has…

Supreme Court bypasses new claim about gun rights
Blog
Supreme Court Justices address rental car search policies

A unanimous Supreme Court said on Monday that Pennsylvania state troopers violated the Fourth Amendment during a traffic stop…

Supreme Court Justices address rental car search policies
Blog
Supreme Court establishes a broad new protection for states’ independence

In a broad reaffirmation of the constitutional idea that Congress cannot order state governments to carry out federal policies,…

Supreme Court establishes a broad new protection for states’ independence
Blog
Supreme Court rules for defendant in capital murder plea case

On Monday, a divided Supreme Court said a court in a Louisiana murder case couldn’t accept a lawyer’s admission of his own…

Supreme Court rules for defendant in capital murder plea case
Blog
Supreme Court rules for sports betting

The Supreme Court started the process of releasing significant decisions from its current term on Monday, with a much-anticipated…

Supreme Court rules for sports betting
Blog
10 fascinating facts about President Harry S. Truman

Harry Truman went from being a county judge to deciding to use atomic warfare at World War II’s end. Here’s a quick look at 10…

10 fascinating facts about President Harry S. Truman
Blog
10 U.S Presidents who also worked as teachers

On National Teacher Day, Constitution Daily looks at 10 Presidents who were teachers in some capacity before they occupied the…

10 U.S Presidents who also worked as teachers
Blog
Presidential subpoenas: An unsettled matter?

The idea of a possible presidential subpoena is in the news again, bringing back a question that’s been debated for months. To…

Presidential subpoenas: An unsettled matter?
Blog
Texas and allies open new challenge to DACA

Returning to the same courthouse where a Texas-led coalition won a sweeping victory against a key immigration policy of the Obama…

Texas and allies open new challenge to DACA
Blog
On this day, George Washington becomes President

It was on this day in 1789 that George Washington placed his hand on a bible in New York and became the first President of the…

On this day, George Washington becomes President
Blog
Key issue on immigration: Is the “ban” really a ban?

In a period of about 20 weeks, a total of 430 travelers have been allowed to enter the U.S. from the Muslim nations on the…

Key issue on immigration: Is the “ban” really a ban?
Blog
President Trump, immigration and the Supreme Court’s options

Not since President Harry Truman 66 years ago was denied the power to seize control of an industry vital to waging war has the…

President Trump, immigration and the Supreme Court’s options
Blog
What Would William Howard Taft Do About Facebook?

In conjunction with his new book on William Howard Taft, National Constitution Center president and CEO Jeffrey Rosen examines how…

What Would William Howard Taft Do About Facebook?
Blog
Court’s last week of arguments features travel ban, voting cases

The last scheduled week of arguments in the Supreme Court’s current term features the high-profile Trump travel-ban case and yet…

Court’s last week of arguments features travel ban, voting cases
Blog
What Would William Howard Taft Do?

In conjunction with his new book on William Howard Taft, National Constitution Center president and CEO Jeffrey Rosen examines how…

What Would William Howard Taft Do?
Blog
Passing the buck on Internet shopping taxes?

Sometimes, the Supreme Court’s ultimate power to define what the Constitution means seems just too daunting for the Justices.…

Passing the buck on Internet shopping taxes?
Blog
U.S. v. Microsoft case comes to a quiet end

The Supreme Court on Tuesday ended a potentially major data privacy case after both sides agreed that a new law from Congress made…

U.S. v. Microsoft case comes to a quiet end
Blog
Constitutional milestone on transgender rights

For the first time in any court, a federal judge in Seattle has ruled that transgender people are entitled to the fullest…

Constitutional milestone on transgender rights
Blog
King’s indignant message in “Letter from Birmingham Jail”

Jonathan Rieder from Barnard College looks at Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” and how its…

King’s indignant message in “Letter from Birmingham Jail”
Blog
The Cohen case and attorney-client privilege

The recent raid on the office of Michael Cohen, one of President Trump’s personal lawyers, has raised a number of questions on…

The Cohen case and attorney-client privilege
Blog
Now, a two-front legal war over teen abortions

The Supreme Court and a federal appeals court are now moving simultaneously to sort out a major constitutional controversy over a…

Now, a two-front legal war over teen abortions
Blog
How Speaker of the House evolved into a critical constitutional role

Paul Ryan’s House retirement means that a new person will be Speaker of the House of Representatives next January and become one…

How Speaker of the House evolved into a critical constitutional role
Blog
Supreme Court to tackle salmon case without Justice Kennedy

When the full Supreme Court resumes arguments in mid-April, the Court will be short by one Justice when it considers a…

Supreme Court to tackle salmon case without Justice Kennedy
Blog
What would the Senate look like today without the 17th Amendment?

It’s the 105th anniversary of the 17th Amendment, leading us to consider what today’s U.S. Senate would look like if its…

What would the Senate look like today  without the 17th Amendment?
Blog
Can politicians block negative comments on their social media accounts?

The surging popularity of social media is testing one of the most basic constitutional rights: the public’s ability to criticize…

Can politicians block negative comments on their social media accounts?
Blog
What really killed the first President to die in office?

On April 5, 1841, the news that President William Henry Harrison was dead shocked a nation. So what killed a man who had just…

What really killed the first President to die in office?
Blog
Delaying ruling on partisan gerrymanders? Pros and Cons

For more than three decades, some members of the Supreme Court have thought the courts should do something to rein in the…

Delaying ruling on partisan gerrymanders? Pros and Cons
Blog
Could big Supreme Court case be tossed in near future?

One of the most-significant cases of the Supreme Court’s current term is on shaky ground after a new law may have settled the…

Could big Supreme Court case be tossed in near future?
Blog
If an “extreme” gerrymander is invalid, what then?

A deliberate effort by Maryland’s Democratic leaders to take a congressional seat away from Republicans might be just the kind…

If an “extreme” gerrymander is invalid, what then?
Blog
What does it take to repeal a constitutional amendment?

A current public debate started by a retired Supreme Court Justice has people talking about possibly repealing one of the…

What does it take to repeal a constitutional amendment?
Blog
Supreme Court cases where students influenced the Constitution

Some of the most significant Supreme Court cases in history were controversies that were started by, or on behalf, of public…

Supreme Court cases where students influenced the Constitution
Blog
Legal fight begins over census citizenship question

The state of California will sue the Trump administration over the upcoming 2020 census and its inclusion of a question about U.S.…

Legal fight begins over census citizenship question
Blog
The Supreme Court hears the other gerrymandering case this term

On Wednesday, the Supreme Court will hear its second gerrymandering or political redistricting case of its current term. This…

The Supreme Court hears the other gerrymandering case this term
Blog
State judge denies legal immunity for President

Answering a constitutional question that the Supreme Court left open nearly 21 years ago in a case against President Bill Clinton,…

State judge denies legal immunity for President
Blog
Is the Pennsylvania congressional vote dispute now over?

In the space of about three hours on Monday, the intense, months-long battle over partisan gerrymandering in Pennsylvania…

Is the Pennsylvania congressional vote dispute now over?
Blog
Is high school student speech protected on social media?

In the wake of last week’s National Walkout Day, students involved in sanctioned and unsanctioned demonstrations are voicing…

Is high school student speech protected on social media?
Blog
GOP loses Pennsylvania voting fight in one court

In a unanimous ruling Monday afternoon, a three-judge federal court in Harrisburg, PA, threw out a challenge by Pennsylvania…

GOP loses Pennsylvania voting fight in one court
Blog
Book Preview:  William Howard Taft

In this preview from his new book on William Howard Taft, National Constitution Center president and CEO Jeffrey Rosen looks at…

Book Preview:  William Howard Taft
Blog
Public school student free speech: A primer

Organized protests this week at public secondary and high schools related to the Parkland shooting have raised several…

Public school student free speech: A primer
Blog
George Washington calms down the Newburgh Conspiracy

This week marks the anniversary of an important early event in our Republic’s history: a potential military uprising defused by…

George Washington calms down the Newburgh Conspiracy
Blog
Trump, Tariffs, and Trade

Timothy Meyer and Steve Charnovitz join National Constitution Center president and CEO Jeffrey Rosen to discuss the history of…

Trump, Tariffs, and Trade
Blog
Is one of the Pennsylvania voting cases doomed?

As the Supreme Court considers a stay request in one case, a federal trial court in Harrisburg, PA, is pondering a complex…

Is one of the Pennsylvania voting cases doomed?
Blog
Pennsylvania voting dispute in limbo, for now

The high-profile constitutional fight in Pennsylvania over voting for Congress this year will remain in limbo at least for the…

Pennsylvania voting dispute in limbo, for now
Blog
Supreme Court set to tackle Internet sales tax question

One of the most closely watched Supreme Court cases in April could affect the shopping habits of millions of Americans, as the…

Supreme Court set to tackle Internet sales tax question
Blog
Public meeting arrest case puts Justices in predicament

When can someone be arrested at a public government meeting during a public comment forum?  That’s a tricky question the…

Public meeting arrest case puts Justices in predicament
Blog
Justices urged to see political impact of Pennsylvania voting case

Two prominent leaders in Republican politics have urged the Supreme Court to consider the Pennsylvania redistricting case as a…

Justices urged to see political impact of Pennsylvania voting case
Blog
Statewide elections for House seats in Pennsylvania?

A group of Democratic voters in Pennsylvania told a federal court on Friday that, if it barred the use of a congressional election…

Statewide elections for House seats in Pennsylvania?
Blog
Alito sets response date for Pennsylvania election map appeal

Pennsylvania’s two top elected Republican officials have asked Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito, in his role as a Circuit…

Alito sets response date for Pennsylvania election map appeal
Blog
A second setback for Trump team on DACA

In a second significant setback this week for the Trump Administration on its immigration policy, a federal judge in Los Angeles…

A second setback for Trump team on DACA
Blog
Supreme Court sends immigrant bail rights case back to lower court

A divided Supreme Court said on Tuesday that for now immigrants detained by U.S. customs officials don’t have a right to…

Supreme Court sends immigrant bail rights case back to lower court
Blog
Gorsuch seen as decider in union fees case

Associate Justice Neil Gorsuch said nothing during Monday’s Supreme Court arguments in a potential landmark case that could…

Gorsuch seen as decider in union fees case
Blog
Supreme Court won’t review DACA for now

The Supreme Court refused on Monday to adopt a special, fast procedure to rule on the government’s power to shut down the…

Supreme Court won’t review DACA for now
Blog
State judges have been impeached, but very rarely

At least three elected officials in Pennsylvania have mentioned the topic of impeaching and removing five state supreme court…

State judges have been impeached, but very rarely
Blog
Federal court won’t block Pa. voting map — for now

A three-judge federal court in Harrisburg, PA, has refused – for now – to block Pennsylvania officials from going forward with…

Federal court won’t block Pa. voting map — for now
Blog
Second Pennsylvania GOP challenge to new voting map

Ten elected Republican legislators, state and federal, in Pennsylvania asked a federal court on Thursday to issue an immediate…

Second Pennsylvania GOP challenge to new voting map
Blog
Five “unusual” amendments that never made it into the Constitution

If some folks had their way, a three-person tribunal, and not the President, would provide leadership of the “United States of…

Five “unusual” amendments that never made it into the Constitution
Blog
Supreme Court again asked to stop Pennsylvania voting map

Arguing that the Pennsylvania Supreme Court unconstitutionally seized the power to draw new congressional districts away from the…

Supreme Court again asked to stop Pennsylvania voting map
Blog
How the Pennsylvania election map challenge could unfold

Constitution Daily contributor Lyle Denniston explains how Republican leaders in Pennsylvania’s legislature will shortly…

How the Pennsylvania election map challenge could unfold
Blog
Landmark Cases: Season Two Debuts at the National Constitution Center

On President’s Day, C-SPAN President Susan Swain and National Constitution Center President and CEO Jeffrey Rosen, along with…

Landmark Cases: Season Two Debuts at the National Constitution Center
Blog
The Supreme Court takes on a big Double Jeopardy case

On Tuesday morning, the Supreme Court will hear arguments in a dispute about a defendant’s claim to double jeopardy if they have…

The Supreme Court takes on a big Double Jeopardy case
Blog
New Pennsylvania congressional map boosts Democrats

Claiming full authority to do so, a deeply divided Pennsylvania Supreme Court drew up and released on Monday its own new map of…

New Pennsylvania congressional map boosts Democrats
Blog
Interactive Constitution: The Second Amendment’s meaning

In this essay from the National Constitution Center’s Interactive Constitution project, scholars Nelson Lund and Adam Winkler…

Interactive Constitution: The Second Amendment’s meaning
Blog
The Supreme Court’s options on DACA

On Friday evening, the Supreme Court closed up shop for the holiday weekend without doing anything about DACA – that is, the…

The Supreme Court’s options on DACA
Blog
Trump immigration limits falter again in court

Using President Trump’s own words against him, a federal appeals court on Thursday added a second legal defeat for the White…

Trump immigration limits falter again in court
Blog
Debate heats up about citizenship question in next Census

Late next month, Congress will get a proposed list of 2020 Census questions that could set off another lawsuit about voting rights…

Debate heats up about citizenship question in next Census
Blog
On this day, women are first allowed to argue Supreme Court cases

On February 15, 1879, President Rutherford B. Hayes signed a new law that would admit women as members of the Supreme Court bar…

On this day, women are first allowed to argue Supreme Court cases
Blog
Second judge keeps DACA program going

Just days before the Supreme Court is to consider getting involved in the deepening controversy over the legal fate of nearly…

Second judge keeps DACA program going
Blog
Governor rejects new Pennsylvania voting map

Pennsylvania Governor Thomas W. Wolf told the state’s Supreme Court on Tuesday that a new Republican-drawn map of election…

Governor rejects new Pennsylvania voting map
Blog
Could the Fifth Amendment play a role in the Mueller investigation?

As special counsel Robert Mueller reportedly negotiates with Donald Trump’s lawyers for an interview the President, legal…

Could the Fifth Amendment play a role in the Mueller investigation?
Blog
Justices won’t take on new partisan gerrymander case

Continuing to work through a series of disputes on “partisan gerrymandering,” the Supreme Court refused on Tuesday to add a…

Justices won’t take on new partisan gerrymander case
Blog
New maps for Pennsylvania congressional voting clear hurdle

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s ruling striking down a state legislature’s district-defining map for this year’s…

New maps for Pennsylvania congressional voting clear hurdle
Blog
Happy birthday, 15th and 16th Amendments

Today we celebrate a constitutional ratification twofer: the 15th Amendment (ratified February 3, 1870) and the 16th Amendment…

Happy birthday, 15th and 16th Amendments
Blog
The Supreme Court’s Elections Clause dilemma in Pennsylvania

An appeal to the United States Supreme Court from Pennsylvania lawmakers about a state court gerrymandering decision might create…

The Supreme Court’s Elections Clause dilemma in Pennsylvania
Blog
Confederate monuments debate heads to the courts

Do local governments have the ability to remove monuments in public spaces that commemorate the Confederacy, its military or its…

Confederate monuments debate heads to the courts
Blog
February’s last week a big one for Supreme Court

The Supreme Court is now on a break from hearing arguments until mid-February. But the last three days of February are shaping up…

February’s last week a big one for Supreme Court
Blog
William McKinley: Does he deserve more respect from historians?

He was a war hero who led America out of a recession, won a war and re-election, defined modern election campaigns, and died at an…

William McKinley: Does he deserve more respect from historians?
Blog
Supreme Court speeds up DACA case

With the controversy over young undocumented immigrants unfolding both in Congress and the federal courts, the Supreme Court…

Supreme Court speeds up DACA case
Blog
Pennsylvania congressional election maps voided

In a ruling that potentially could be a political boon to Democrats running for Congress this year in Pennsylvania, a sharply…

Pennsylvania congressional election maps voided
Blog
Supreme Court hops into endangered frog habitat dispute

Without comment, the Supreme Court decided on Monday to hear one of two cases in a dispute over land in Louisiana dedicated to…

Supreme Court hops into endangered frog habitat dispute
Blog
Supreme Court rules for cops in ‘party out of bounds’ case

A unanimous Supreme Court said on Monday that police officers who busted partiers at a vacant District of Columbia house in 2008…

Supreme Court rules for cops in ‘party out of bounds’ case
Blog
Supreme Court to rule on Trump immigration limits

The Supreme Court agreed on Friday afternoon to consider the state of Hawaii’s claim that President Trump imposed an…

Supreme Court to rule on Trump immigration limits
Blog
Why do politicians and judges get paid during a government shutdown?

One of the biggest questions during a federal government shutdown is, “who gets paid?” Due to the Constitution, the people…

Why do politicians and judges get paid during a government shutdown?
Blog
Government asks Justices to settle DACA quickly

With time running out for the Supreme Court to take on new cases in the current term, the Trump Administration asked Thursday…

Government asks Justices to settle DACA quickly
Blog
Supreme Court blocks North Carolina partisan gerrymander ruling

Over two Justices’ dissents, the Supreme Court on Thursday temporarily blocked a lower court order that would have required…

Supreme Court blocks North Carolina partisan gerrymander ruling
Blog
Supreme Court mulls taking frog-protection case

On Friday morning, the Supreme Court will consider in private conference the case of unwanted government protection for prodigal…

Supreme Court mulls taking frog-protection case
Blog
What happens if the federal government shuts down?

Unless Congress passes a temporary funding bill by late Friday night, many federal government services will stop over the weekend.…

What happens if the federal government shuts down?
Blog
Trump team wants ruling on constitutional issue in immigration case

The Trump Administration urged the Supreme Court on Tuesday to rule on the constitutionality of the President’s third version of…

Trump team wants ruling on constitutional issue in immigration case
Blog
Trump Administration to swiftly appeal DACA to Supreme Court

The Trump Administration will ask the Supreme Court this week to uphold its power to end the “DACA” program that protects…

Trump Administration to swiftly appeal DACA to Supreme Court
Blog
Can a lawyer admit guilt in a murder case over a client’s objections?

In Supreme Court arguments on Wednesday, the nine Justices will tackle a Sixth Amendment question about the proper role of…

Can a lawyer admit guilt in a murder case over a client’s objections?
Blog
Constitution Hall Pass: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. saw himself as a servant of humanity and wanted his life to be remembered as a life of service to…

Constitution Hall Pass: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Blog
How Dr. King cited the Constitution in his Mountaintop speech

On April 3, 1968, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. made his last public speech, which referenced the Bible and the Constitution. His…

How Dr. King cited the Constitution in his Mountaintop speech
Blog
What we can learn about the Constitution from The Simpsons

The popular TV show “The Simpsons” debuted 28 years ago today as a regular series, and among its cultural contributions are…

What we can learn about the Constitution from The Simpsons
Blog
Justices may solve major state Internet tax problem

The Supreme Court will now reconsider a half-century-old constitutional bar to state taxes on out-of-state retailers - a group…

Justices may solve major state Internet tax problem
Blog
In Ohio voting-rolls case, Breyer and Kennedy could be crucial

On Wednesday, the Supreme Court heard a dispute in Ohio about who can stay on an official list of registered votes. And from the…

In Ohio voting-rolls case, Breyer and Kennedy could be crucial
Blog
Latest partisan gerrymandering decision adds to growing debate

A federal court ruling on Tuesday adds a new wrinkle to the national debate about the practice of gerrymandering voting districts…

Latest partisan gerrymandering decision adds to growing debate
Blog
Twitter plays role in judge’s temporary hold on Trump DACA decision

Late Tuesday night, a federal judge in California temporarily stopped actions by the Trump administration to end parts of DACA, or…

Twitter plays role in judge’s temporary hold on Trump DACA decision
Blog
Justices speed up Trump immigration appeal

Moving with unusual speed, the Supreme Court indicated on Monday that it will take its first look just 11 days from now at the…

Justices speed up Trump immigration appeal
Blog
Justices asked to uphold third Trump immigration order

Returning to the Supreme Court with a new appeal on immigration, the Trump Administration on Friday asked the Justices for…

Justices asked to uphold third Trump immigration order
Blog
Federal marijuana policy change raises significant questions

The Justice Department rescinded an Obama-era memo on Thursday that deprioritized federal marijuana prosecutions in states that…

Federal marijuana policy change raises significant questions
Blog
Dr. Seuss in the land of Fair Use lawsuits

What is the difference between a parody and a satire? Two recent court cases involving the estate of Theodor Geisel aka Dr. Seuss…

Dr. Seuss in the land of Fair Use lawsuits
Blog
Voter registration, search cases highlight next week’s Court arguments

The Supreme Court enters 2018 with several fresh cases, and a key postponed case, in front of the nine Justices next week, with a…

Voter registration, search cases highlight next week’s Court arguments
Blog
Transgender people allowed to join military

Forgoing, for now, a request to the Supreme Court to bar transgender individuals from enlisting in the military, the Trump…

Transgender people allowed to join military
Blog
Trump’s latest immigration curb fails in court

President Trump’s power was at its weakest point, constitutionally, when he imposed the latest version of a ban on immigration…

Trump’s latest immigration curb fails in court
Blog
First Emoluments Clause test fails in court

A federal judge, the first in history to rule on the meaning of the Constitution’s ban on gifts and other compensation for the…

First Emoluments Clause test fails in court
Blog
Looking back: A busy year for the Supreme Court

The Supreme Court had a momentous year in 2017 as it added a new Justice and ruled on several significant cases. Here’s a quick…

Looking back: A busy year for the Supreme Court
Blog
Justices move ahead on dispute over teen abortions

The Supreme Court plans to take up at its first private conference in the new year the intense, ongoing fight over an unsettled…

Justices move ahead on dispute over teen abortions
Blog
Supreme Court blocks, for now, probe of DACA-ending files in rare ruling

In a rare and perhaps unprecedented ruling, the Supreme Court on Wednesday took control of a federal trial court’s management of…

Supreme Court blocks, for now, probe of DACA-ending files in rare ruling
Blog
New fight over abortions for detained teenagers

The Trump Administration, in simultaneous filings on Monday, asked both the Supreme Court and a federal appeals court to block an…

New fight over abortions for detained teenagers
Blog
What’s reconciliation and how does it affect the tax debate?

Early this week, the House and Senate will likely vote on a huge overhaul to the tax system. So what is the obscure rule that will…

What’s reconciliation and how does it affect the tax debate?
Blog
Judge blocks new rules against birth control access

Finding that the Trump Administration had no legal authority to create sweeping exemptions to the birth-control mandate under the…

Judge blocks new rules against birth control access
Blog
States take egg fight with California to the Supreme Court

A group of 13 states wants the Supreme Court to directly take its complaints about new California egg laws that have blocked the…

States take egg fight with California to the Supreme Court
Blog
Transgender-in-military fight moves up in the courts

Still insisting that the Pentagon will not be ready to accept transgender recruits into the military on January 1, the Trump…

Transgender-in-military fight moves up in the courts
Blog
Military soon open to transgender recruits

In three weeks, transgender individuals seeking to enlist in U.S. military forces may start joining up.  The Pentagon made that…

Military soon open to transgender recruits
Blog
Remembering the day Pennsylvania ratified the Constitution

December 12 is a big anniversary for those of us in Pennsylvania: It’s the day the James Wilson led an emotional effort to…

Remembering the day Pennsylvania ratified the Constitution
Blog
Supreme Court turns aside major gay rights plea

The Supreme Court on Monday acted – probably because of procedural reasons – to leave undecided at least for now the spreading…

Supreme Court turns aside major gay rights plea
Blog
A review of the season’s lawsuits about holiday displays

For millions of Americans, December brings celebrations of religious and secular holidays. But the uniqueness of the season also…

A review of the season’s lawsuits about holiday displays
Blog
Justices side with Trump team on DACA dispute

Siding with the Trump Administration and splitting 5-to-4, the Supreme Court on Friday temporarily blocked a federal trial judge…

Justices side with Trump team on DACA dispute
Blog
Supreme Court takes on another partisan gerrymander case

In a surprise move, the Supreme Court on Friday afternoon expanded its review of challenges to the decades-old practice of drawing…

Supreme Court takes on another partisan gerrymander case
Blog
Trump team joins fight against union fees

In a move that could tip the balance in the Supreme Court against labor unions representing public employees, the Trump…

Trump team joins fight against union fees
Blog
Sports gambling gets its day at the Supreme Court 

One of the bigger cases of the current Supreme Court term pits federal control over legalized sports betting versus state’s…

Sports gambling gets its day at the Supreme Court 
Blog
Justice Anthony Kennedy’s new constitutional dilemma

Over the years, Justice Anthony M. Kennedy has become the Supreme Court’s most energetic defender of gay rights, one of its true…

Justice Anthony Kennedy’s new constitutional dilemma
Blog
Martin Van Buren’s legacy: Expert politician, mediocre president

On Martin Van Buren’s birthday, Constitution Daily looks at the man who helped to create our modern two-party political system,…

Martin Van Buren’s legacy: Expert politician, mediocre president
Blog
Justices allow full enforcement of immigration curbs — for now

For at least the next several weeks, the Trump Administration may enforce in full all of its tough new restrictions on entry into…

Justices allow full enforcement of immigration curbs — for now
Blog
Can a President obstruct justice? The legal experts have a few thoughts

On Monday, President Donald Trump’s personal attorney made a pointed argument in a media interview that a President can’t be…

Can a President obstruct justice? The legal experts have a few thoughts
Blog
Justices told of Trump anti-Muslim tweeting

A civil rights group told the Supreme Court on Monday about President Trump’s online relay of anti-Muslim videos circulated by…

Justices told of Trump anti-Muslim tweeting
Blog
Supreme Court doesn’t clarify married same-sex couples’ rights

Amid a sharp dispute about its power to rule on a new case on same-sex marriage, the Supreme Court refused on Monday to clarify…

Supreme Court doesn’t clarify married same-sex couples’ rights
Blog
Federalism fight leads off big Supreme Court week

A dispute over power sharing between the federal government and state government leads off a big week of Supreme Court cases on…

Federalism fight leads off big Supreme Court week
Blog
A liberal-conservative alliance on the Supreme Court against digital surveillance

In this piece from The Atlantic, National Constitution Center president and CEO Jeffrey Rosen explains how the Supreme Court might…

A liberal-conservative alliance on the Supreme Court against digital surveillance
Blog
Is telephone privacy different in the digital age?

Fifty years ago, the Supreme Court changed its mind about what the Fourth Amendment protects, switching its focus from physical…

Is telephone privacy different in the digital age?
Blog
The constitutional issues in the CFPB conflict

A conflict between President Trump and the nation’s top consumer watchdog has triggered a minor constitutional crisis over who…

The constitutional issues in the CFPB conflict
Blog
Supreme Court Justices allow ban on high-capacity guns

With the nation reaching record levels of mass shootings, the Supreme Court on Monday allowed the state of Maryland to continue to…

Supreme Court Justices allow ban on high-capacity guns
Blog
Supreme Court denies Westboro funeral protest appeal

Without comment, the United States Supreme Court denied an appeal from the Westboro Baptist Church on Monday about a Nebraska law…

Supreme Court denies Westboro funeral protest appeal
Blog
On this day, the Amistad captives return home

On November 25, 1841, 35 former slaves returned home to West Africa, after a Supreme Court decision, won by former United States…

On this day, the Amistad captives return home
Blog
Judge issues new ruling against military transgender ban

Criticizing President Trump for making a major policy shift by a tweet, a federal trial judge in Maryland became the second one in…

Judge issues new ruling against military transgender ban
Blog
Federal judge’s order sets up sanctuary city showdown

A federal judge in California has issued a permanent national injunction against a Trump administration executive order against…

Federal judge’s order sets up sanctuary city showdown
Blog
Trump Administration back at Supreme Court in immigration fight

The Trump Administration returned to the Supreme Court on Monday night in the latest round in the long-running court fight over…

Trump Administration back at Supreme Court in immigration fight
Blog
DACA dispute won’t go to Justices — yet

The Trump Administration put off on Monday a move to draw the Supreme Court into the ongoing legal controversy over potential…

DACA dispute won’t go to Justices — yet
Blog
Supreme Court “Floating House” winner gets second court date

It’s rare for one person to get a victory at the Supreme Court, but a South Florida man will try for a second win this spring in…

Supreme Court “Floating House” winner gets second court date
Blog
Philadelphia wins sanctuary city ruling in federal court

In a 128-page ruling, a federal judge said on Wednesday that the Justice Department can’t withhold grant funding from…

Philadelphia wins sanctuary city ruling in federal court
Blog
On this day, Wilson’s own rule helps defeat the Versailles Treaty

On November 15, 1919, a procedure introduced by Woodrow Wilson to the Senate, the cloture rule, backfired on the President as it…

On this day, Wilson’s own rule helps defeat the Versailles Treaty
Blog
Supreme Court takes political clothing at polls case

On Monday, the Supreme Court accepted an appeal about the ability of a voter to wear clothing or campaign buttons at a polling…

Supreme Court takes political clothing at polls case
Blog
Justices to rule on abortion foes’ rights

Taking on a deeply controversial question about the rights of abortion foes when they set up counseling and treatment centers for…

Justices to rule on abortion foes’ rights
Blog
10 facts about Presidents who were also Veterans

On Veterans Day, Constitution Daily looks at 10 Presidents who had first-hand experience serving in the military before they were…

10 facts about Presidents who were also Veterans
Blog
Pennsylvania court will expedite big gerrymandering case

On Thursday, Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court said it would expedite hearings in a potentially major gerrymandering case with…

Pennsylvania court will expedite big gerrymandering case
Blog
On this day, the Berlin Wall comes to an end

On this day 28 years ago the Berlin Wall fell, marking the beginning of the end of the Soviet project, as on November 9, 1989…

On this day, the Berlin Wall comes to an end
Blog
That other big partisan gerrymander fight

The Supreme Court Justices are working their way through potential drafts for a ruling on a major Wisconsin case testing the…

That other big partisan gerrymander fight
Blog
Senators should serve for life, and other election ideas from the Founders

Today, Americans will vote in elections around the country. But did you know if alternative ideas from the Founders were used…

Senators should serve for life, and other election ideas from the Founders
Blog
The drama behind President Kennedy’s 1960 election win

On November 8, 1960, John F. Kennedy was elected President of the United States in a bitter contest against the incumbent Vice…

The drama behind President Kennedy’s 1960 election win
Blog
Supreme Court punts on Madden football game case

Without comment, the United States Supreme Court on Monday declined an appeal from the programmer who wrote the original John…

Supreme Court punts on Madden football game case
Blog
Government challenges teen abortions ruling

The Trump Administration asked the Supreme Court on Friday to restore officials’ power to block any abortion for pregnant…

Government challenges teen abortions ruling
Blog
Looking back at the Truman beats Dewey upset

In the legacy of presidential history, Harry Truman may be best remembered by one photograph. So how did the 33rd president wind…

Looking back at the Truman beats Dewey upset
Blog
Marine general seeks release, tests conviction

A Marine Corps general, being held prisoner in his own apartment at the Navy base at Guantanamo Bay after being convicted of…

Marine general seeks release, tests conviction
Blog
Case preview: The wedding cake decision

In early December, the Supreme Court will hear arguments in a significant case that “takes the cake” literally, as the issues…

Case preview: The wedding cake decision
Blog
Guantanamo case turmoil deepens; general in contempt

The war crimes tribunal system at Guantanamo Bay, often troubled throughout its years in operation, became embroiled Wednesday in…

Guantanamo case turmoil deepens; general in contempt
Blog
Judge blocks ban on transgender in military

Ruling that transgender people probably have a constitutional right to be treated equally by the government, a federal judge in…

Judge blocks ban on transgender in military
Blog
Judge blocks Trump ban on transgender troops

On Monday afternoon, the U.S. Court for the District of Columbia temporarily blocked the Trump administration’s efforts to ban…

Judge blocks Trump ban on transgender troops
Blog
Case preview: The cops and your cellphone records

In late November, the Supreme Court will tackle a very modern question about the venerable Fourth Amendment: Does it allow police…

Case preview: The cops and your cellphone records
Blog
Judge refuses to revive ACA subsidies — for now

Tentatively accepting the Trump Administration’s view that Congress has not put up any money to cover federal subsidies for…

Judge refuses to revive ACA subsidies — for now
Blog
Supreme Court considers voter registration lists in key case

In early November, the Supreme Court will take up a potentially significant case about the ability of states to remove voters from…

Supreme Court considers voter registration lists in key case
Blog
House leaders duel in court over ACA subsidies

In dueling documents filed in a federal court in San Francisco, the Republican and Democratic leaders of the U.S. House of…

House leaders duel in court over ACA subsidies
Blog
Trump team again disputes “Muslim ban” claim

Beginning its defense in a federal appeals court of the third version of President Trump’s attempt to block entry of foreign…

Trump team again disputes “Muslim ban” claim
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