Live Classes: First Amendment - A celebration of African American History and the First Amendment
February 2 and 10 (New Date)
- Register for Introductory Level Class Feb. 1 | 12 p.m. ET
- Register for Advanced Level Class Feb. 1 | 2 p.m. ET
- Register for All Levels Class Feb. 10 | 1 p.m. ET (New Date)
In this session, students will examine the historical context and the drafting of the First Amendment—focusing especially on the factors motivating America’s Founding generation. Students will also examine various types of speech, including symbolic speech, hate speech, and political speech. Students will learn that in America, speech can only be limited when it is intended to and likely to cause imminent violence. Students will also explore how many groups who were denied rights used the First Amendment to fight for equality for all and in celebration of Black History Month, how key African Americans used the First Amendment to advance the cause of equality.
In Friday's Session, writer David French joins National Constitution Center President and CEO Jeffrey Rosen for a discussion on the First Amendment freedoms of speech and the press, examining various types of speech, including symbolic speech, hate speech, and political speech. Students will also explore how groups who have been denied rights have used the First Amendment to fight for equality. French will also discuss his career as an author, editor, and columnist, and answer questions from participants.
David French is a columnist for The New York Times and a senior editor for The Dispatch. French is the author or co-author of several books, including his most recent book Divided We Fall. He has also served as a senior writer for the National Review, president of the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education, and a lecturer at Cornell Law School.
Participants can join through secure Zoom Webinars. All sessions are also recorded and livestreamed on our YouTube channel.
For a full schedule of classes for the 2022/2023 school year, click here. To find classroom resources and supporting materials for this topic and more, click here.
Live from the Museum: The Four Harriets of History Program
February 8 | 12 p.m. ET
*Great for 3rd through 5th Grade Students
Join us live from our Civil War and Reconstruction exhibit as we explore the lives of four remarkable women—Harriet Robinson Scott, Harriet Tubman, Harriet Jacobs, and Harriet Beecher Stowe—who confronted slavery through literature, lawsuits, and direct action in their efforts to free themselves and others from bondage. Hear their incredible stories and brainstorm ways that you can use your voice to change the world.
Click here to view the full schedule of upcoming virtual tours and museum programs.
Scholar Talk: Harriet Scott and the Battle for Freedom Featuring Dr. Matthew Pinsker
Monday, February 20 | 11:45 a.m. ET
Matthew Pinsker of Dickinson College joins us to discuss new research that shows how Harriet Scott was likely the driving force behind the lawsuit that ultimately led to the landmark Supreme Court case Scott v. Sandford. Pinsker will also explore how backlash against the decision—which found that African Americans could not be considered U.S. citizens—led to the opening line of the 14th Amendment.
Kids Town Hall: Meet the Presidents
Monday, February 20 | 12:45 p.m. ET
Join in a special Kids Town Hall with some very famous guests—Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt. The presidents will be available for photo opportunities and to sign autographs before and after the program.
Scholar Talk: The American Presidency Featuring Stuart Leibiger
Monday, February 20 | 1:45 p.m. ET
Join professor Stuart Leibiger for a deep dive into the American presidency tracing the democratization of the chief executive and the growth of executive power from the 18th century to the 21st century that resulted in the imperial presidency. Stuart Leibiger is a professor and chair of the history department at La Salle University and the author of Founding Friendship: George Washington, James Madison, and the Creation of the American Republic.
Scholar Talk: The History of Voting Rights Featuring Gloria J. Browne-Marshall
Monday, February 20 | 2:45 p.m. ET
Join Gloria J. Browne-Marshall, professor of constitutional law at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice (CUNY) and host of WHYY’s Your Democracy animated digital series, for a conversation highlighting how organizations like the NAACP and key African Americans have fought to expand voting rights for all.
Presidential Trivia
Monday, February 20 | 3:45 p.m. ET
How well do you know the presidents? Join the National Constitution Center’s education team to test your knowledge about our commanders in chief. What is the most common first name among presidents? Which presidents have been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize? Who was the last president not to graduate from college? Bring your Article II A-game and remember, “the buck stops here!”
Virtual Tour: First Amendment and Freedom Fighters
February 22 and 24
- Register for the Virtual Tour Feb. 22 12 p.m. ET
- Register for the Virtual Tour Feb. 24 1 p.m. ET
Dive into Black History Month with free virtual exhibit tours highlighting freedom fighters who used the power of the First Amendment to gain freedom for themselves and ensure it for others. Learners can take a virtual tour of our Civil War and Reconstruction exhibit, explore the First Amendment tablet, and examine how the history of the First Amendment has played hand and hand with the civil rights movement.
Click here to view the full schedule of upcoming virtual tours and museum programs.
Kids Town Hall: Freedom Fighters
February 25 | 12:45 p.m.
Join us for a special Kids Town Hall with some very famous guests—Frances Ellen Watkins Harper and Bishop Richard Allen—who will share their experiences in the fight for freedom and equality.
