On this day in 1963, the March on Washington and Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech took place on the National Mall in Washington D.C. The gathering served as a response to racial discrimination and recent violent attacks on civil rights leaders. The March came about as a combination of two planned […]
On August 28, 1831, First Lady Lucy Hayes was born in Chillicothe, Ohio. Lucy was an extremely popular First Lady and was admired for her care for veterans, orphans, and the poor. Though she’s well-known for her nickname “Lemonade Lucy” 🍋🍋🍋 (a reference to the no-alcohol policy of the Hayes White House), Hayes was much […]
On this day in 1632, English philosopher John Locke was born in Wrington, England. His ideas of liberalism, natural law, and positive government were influential on the American founders and their formulations of proper government and its purpose. Thomas Jefferson likely referred to Locke while writing the Declaration of Independence. 📝📝📝 Did you know? We […]
August 30 is National Beach Day! 🏖🏊♂️🍹 America’s first public beach wasn’t established until 1896. Revere Beach, in Massachusetts near Boston, is still open to the public today and is honored as a National Historic Landmark. Did you know? The most popular beaches in America include Huntington Beach (in southern California), Panama City Beach (in […]
On August 30, 2022, the Tocqueville Forum at Christendom College will be hosting a lecture and seminar on "The Morality of Original Meaning" with Professor J. Joel Alicea (Catholic University of America): Alicea will be discussing the morality of original meaning, emphasizing the importance of consent or authorization in the context of classical legal thought. […]
On August 31, 2022, the Constitutional Studies Forum at the University of Nebraska-Omaha will be hosting a public lecture with Michael Kochin (Tel Aviv University) on "The Constitution Viewed From Without: The Security Dilemma and the Constitution of 1787." Wednesday, August 31, 2022 • 1:00 PM CDT CPACS 132 • University of Nebraska-Omaha The event […]
On this day in 1752, the Liberty Bell arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. At first, the Liberty Bell had little to do with American independence. The Pennsylvania Assembly commissioned the bell to commemorate the 50-year anniversary of William Penn’s 1701 Charter of Privileges (Pennsylvania’s original constitution). Did you know? The Liberty Bell has a long history […]
On September 1, 1878, teenaged Emma Nutt became the world’s first female telephone operator as she began work at Boston’s Edwin Holmes Telephone Dispatch Company. ☎🎙🎧 Hired by Alexander Graham Bell himself, Nutt didn’t just break norms, but ushered in an entirely new era. By the end of the 1880s, nearly every telephone operator was […]
On this day in 1783, the Treaty of Paris was signed, formally ending the Revolutionary War. 🇺🇸 🇬🇧 🇫🇷 Though we often remember the Battle of Yorktown (1781) as the effective end of the war in the colonies, it wasn’t for two more years that the war would be officially ended and the United States […]
On this day in 1888, George Eastman received a patent for the first roll-film camera – the Kodak. The camera made photography more accessible and was designed with the amateur in mind. The user simply armed the shutter and then pressed a button to release it, taking a picture. 📸 📸 📸 Once the user […]
On September 4, 1803, First Lady Sarah Polk was born near Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Well-educated with a keen interest in politics, Polk proved an asset to her husband’s career and enjoyed discussing current affairs and acting as a sounding board for the president. Her interest in politics far outweighed her interest in domestic duties, in fact, […]
On this day in 1774, the First Continental Congress assembled in Carpenter’s Hall in Philadelphia to address growing tensions between the American colonies and Great Britain. The Congress, consisting of representatives from 12 of the 13 colonies, hoped to rectify British actions against Massachusetts, particularly the British blockade of Boston after the Boston Tea Party […]
Happy Labor Day from JMC! Today marks 140 years since the first Labor Day took place on September 5, 1882 in New York City. The Central Labor Union of New York organized a parade of thousands of union members from all trades that culminated in a picnic for the members and their families. 🍗🍉👒This form […]
http://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/11742 On September 6, 1757, Revolutionary War hero Gilbert du Motier, better-known as the Marquis de Lafayette, was born in Chavaniac-Lafayette, France. Though Lafayette was not American, he sincerely believed in the American cause and tirelessly advocated for the fledgling country to the French government, which was key in helping the U.S. win the war. […]
Constitution Day: A Conversation on the Past, Present and Future of the 14th Amendment Date: Thursday, September 8th, 2022, 3 – 6PM Location: Nicholson Library, Austin Reading Room - Multi-purpose To kick off the school year the Political Science Department is hosting an event for Consitution Day centering on the 14th Amendment. This event will feature professor […]
On September 9, 1850, California was admitted to the Union as our 31st state. It is the largest state by population and the third largest state by area. Did you know? California is home to both the highest point in the continental U.S. (Mount Whitney) as well as the lowest point in the U.S. (Death […]
On this day in 1791, Washington, D.C., was named after President George Washington by the city’s federal commissioners. The president himself chose the site of the future city, settling on 100 square miles of land on the banks of the Potomac River ceded from Virginia and Maryland. Did you know? Though the city was named […]
“GIVING JUSTICE MORE THAN ITS DUE” IS CONSTITUTION DAY LECTURE Date and time: Friday, September 9, 2022, 12:40-1:40 pm Place: McKernan Auditorium, LSU Law Center Speaker: Daniel Philpott, University of Notre Dame Discussant: BATON ROUGE—Daniel Philpott of the University of Notre Dame will deliver LSU’s Constitution Day Lecture on Friday, September 9, from 12:40-1:40 p.m. “Giving […]
"Is Common Good Constitutionalism.…Good?" Date: Friday, September 9th at 12:30 p.m. Location: 1050 Nanovic Hall, University of Notre Dame Join Professor Jeff Pojanowski (Notre Dame Law) and Professor J. Joel Alicea (Catholic University Law) for a Constitution Day seminar on common good constitutionalism. All attendees should familiarize themselves with Adrian Vermeule's 2020 Atlantic article "Beyond Originalism." […]
On this day in 2001, 9/11, the worst terrorist attack in U.S. history, took place as terrorists hijacked four planes. Two of these planes were crashed into the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York City and a third into the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. Passengers on the fourth plane, Flight 93, […]
On this day in 1913, American Olympic athlete Jesse Owens was born in Oakville, Alabama. He is best known for his victories at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, where he won 4 gold medals 🏅🏅🏅🏅 in track and field, much to the disappointment of the Nazi competition, who hoped to showcase their “master race”. Merely a […]
“Is Administrative Law Constitutional?” Speaker: Dr. Joseph Postell of Hillsdale College Date: Monday, September 12th at 6 p.m. Location: Center for Fine Performing Arts Music Hall, West Florida University The 2022 Constitution Day event will be held on Monday, September 12, 2022 in the UWF Rolf's Music Hall, Building 82, at 6 pm. Constitution Day 2022 […]
On this day in 1814, the Battle of Fort McHenry occurred during the War of 1812. The American victory at the battle inspired Francis Scott Key to write “The Star-Spangled Banner,” our national anthem. 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 Scott, a lawyer, and amateur poet were inspired by the flag flying over Fort McHenry after an all-night […]
On September 13, 1788, Congress chose New York City as the first federal capital of the United States. Prior to government under the new Constitution, capitals had changed frequently, with congress meeting in locales such as Princeton, Philadelphia, and Baltimore. New York City was chosen after much heated debate, and only as a temporary capital […]
Hidden Laws Speaker: Robinson Woodward-Burns of Howard University Date: Tuesday, September 13th at 5:00 - 6:30 p.m. Location: Towson University Click here to learn more>>
September 14, 1752 was the first day that the Gregorian calendar came into use in Great Britain and its empire, including the American colonies. Daylight savings time pales in comparison to this event - 11 whole days were lost, as British citizens went to bed on September 2nd, waking up on the 14th. ⏰📅⏳ Did […]
A Constitution Day Conversation with Dr. Jerome Foss, Dr. Shaun Rieley, and Dr. Joseph Wysocki Date: Wednesday, September 14, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. Location: Belmont House, 314 Independence Ave. Washington, DC 20003 In contemporary society, it’s more important than ever to honor and celebrate our roots as a Democratic Republic. As questions of religious and civil liberty […]
Three Myths about Constitutional Interpretation Speaker: Michael D. Paulsen of University of St. Thomas Date: Wednesday, September 14, 2022, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Location: Eastlund Room, Lundquist Community Life Center, Bethel University Prof. Michael S. Paulsen gave a public lecture on the common yet consequential myths about the U.S. Constitution and its historical interpretation. Paulsen is Distinguished […]
Twelfth Annual Dr. Richard Gruetzemacher Constitution Day Lecture Series “A Symposium: Religious Freedom, Economic Freedom, and the Constitution” Date: Wednesday, September 14, 2022, 7:30 P.M. - 9:00 P.M. Location: UTC University Center Auditorium The general public, the UTC community, and educators and students from a variety of schools and colleges in the region are cordially invited […]
On this day in 1857, 27th president William Howard Taft was born in Cincinnati, Ohio. His presidency was marked by the rise of progressivism in both the Democratic and Republican parties. Though he did not go far enough for many progressives, Taft’s administration initiated 80 antitrust suits. More “trust-busting” occurred under Taft than it did […]
State Constitutions Palooza September 17-18, 2022 Click here to register or learn more>> State constitutions have been in the news lately, but it’s not the first time they’ve been center stage. Since the nation’s founding, state constitutions have been a testing ground for democracy, featuring radical experimentation, careful conservatism, and everything in between. But with […]
Constitution Day annually celebrates America’s founding principles of liberty, equality, and self-governance. Our democracy can only flourish when its citizens are informed and engaged, capable of thinking for themselves and participating in respectful debate. But ideological intolerance has placed higher education squarely in the middle of the nation’s culture wars. Fear of the supercharged social […]
"The Beloved Community & American Democracy" Speaker: Bakari Sellers Date: Thursday, September 15, 2022 at 5:30 Location: Wheelwright Auditorium, Coastal Carolina University This Constitution Day event features former member of the South Carolina House of Representatives (90th district), attorney, lobbyist, and political commentator Bakari Sellers. Upon his first election at age 22, Mr. Sellers was […]
Courts, the 1st Amendment and Civil Discourse Thursday, September 15, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. Location: Lifelong Learning Auditorium, Florida Atlantic University Panelists: Daphne Duret of the USA Today Network; Dahlia Lithwick an Award Winning Court's Journalist; and Luzmarina Garcia a Professor of Courts & Law Moderator: Kevin Wagner, Chair of the Department of Political Science […]
George Washington and the Virtue of Patriotism Speaker: Susan Hanssen Date: Friday, September 16 Location: Belmont Abbey College
The American Philosophical Society will be hosting a Virtual Reality Constitutional Convention Event and Lunch on September 16th at 10am and a Constitution Constitutional: A Walking Tour of the Constitution in Old City on September 16 at 1:30pm. and the 17th at 11:00am. Click here to learn more>> "Electing the President: The Debates on the Electoral […]
CONSTITUTION DAY COLLOQUIUM To commemorate the 233rd anniversary of the ratification of the Constitution, Xavier University is hosting a two-day Constitution Day Colloquium. The event, which takes place on Sept. 17 and 18, 2021, brings students and faculty together to engage in detailed readings and discussion on the Founders' ideas and their relevance to the […]
Constitution Bowl “ was the word, “fitly spoken” which has proved an “apple of gold” to us. The Union, and the Constitution, are the picture of silver, subsequently framed around […]
A Bargain with the Devil? Frederick Douglass, Slavery, and the U.S. Constitution Speaker: Raul G. Rodriguez of Michigan State University Date: Friday, September 16, 2022 Location: Great Lakes Christian College How should a believer think about the American Constitution, particularly with regard to its seeming accommodation of the historical injustice of slavery? This is the […]
"Civil Religion and Nationalism in U.S. Politics and Culture" Lecture and Question/Answer Session Date: Friday, September 16th at 6:30pm Speaker: Dr. John Wilsey Dr. Wilsey is an Associate Professor of Church History and Philosophy at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and he has published on issues relating to religion, politics, and the American founding
Happy Constitution Day! On this day in 1787, members of the Constitutional Convention signed the final draft of the Constitution. Over the next months, it would undergo the ratification process (requiring approval from at least 9 states). 📜📜📜 Did you know? Although Independence Day and Presidents’ Day were marked as such for many years, it […]
"We the People - Our U.S. Constitution" Date: Saturday, September 17 at 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Location: Courthouse Lawn, 11 N. Washington St., Easton, Maryland 21601 Hosted by: The Institute for Religion, Politics, and Culture at Washington College The Institute for Religion, Politics, and Culture at Washington College works to help strengthen the Constitutional […]
Two Tragedies: A Trial Lawyer’s Views on the Fourteenth Amendment, the KKK Act, and Rights Long Denied Date: Saturday, September 17th at 7:30 p.m. AKDT Speaker: Bryan Dawson Location: Conoco Phillips Integrated Science Building (CPISB), University of Alaska, Anchorage Forrest A. Nabors and students and faculty in the Department of Political Science in the College of Arts and Sciences at […]
On this day in 1870, the Old Faithful geyser in Yellowstone National Park was observed by the Washburn-Doane-Langford expedition and received its name. The geyser particularly stood out for its regular timing – the men noted that these eruptions of boiling hot water lasted for roughly 15-20 minutes. Did you know? Despite their awe for […]
On September 19, 1982, emoticons were used for the first time by Dr. Scott Fahlman of Carnegie Mellon University. What were they? :-) and :-( Emoticons eventually developed into emojis, a closely related cousin of the emoticon, now also frequently used via email, text message, and other written communications. 😊❤️👍😂 As email and texting have […]
Constitution Extravaganza with Rose State College Dates: Monday, September 19th to Thursday, September 22nd Monday: Join New York Times Bestselling Author - Jonathan Rauch and his presentation on "Staying Real: The War on Truth & How to Win it" at 2:00 p.m. at the HB Atkinson Theater. Tuesday: Jeopardy! Constitution Challenge. Do you know your […]
Hamilton: An American Musical and the Constitutions Place in the Founding Story Speaker: Zachary German Date: Monday, September 19 at 10 a.m. Location: Rayburn Legacy Center, Texas A&M University
"What's a Preamble Anyway? Comparing the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution" Speaker: Tom Costa Date: September 19, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. Location: Dogwood Room, University of Virginia, Wise Click here to learn more>>
On this day in 1973, tennis players Billie Jean King (29) and Bobby Riggs (55) faced off in the “Battle of the Sexes.” Riggs had claimed that he could trounce any woman in a tennis match – King proved him wrong, winning the match. The “battle” helped legitimize and promote women’s professional sports and female […]
Charter of Unity: Can the Constitution Still Hold Us Together? Speaker: Yuval Levin Date: Tuesday, September 20, at 4:00 p.m. Location: Ferrell Academic Center, Benedictine College As the nation commemorates […]
"Slavery and the Constitution" Speaker: Michael Zuckert of University of Notre Dame Date: Tuesday, September 20th, 2022 at 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Location: Hardin Hall 100, Clemson University Lyceum Lectures […]
Restoring the Constitutional Integrity of Title IX Lecturer: Dr. Elizabeth Kaufer Busch of Christopher Newport University Date: Tuesday, September 20, 2022 at 5:30-7:00 p.m. CDT This presentation focuses on the need […]
On September 21, 1788, First Lady Margaret Taylor was born in Calvert County, Maryland. Though steeled by life as both a frontier and military wife, Margaret was an inactive first lady due to poor health and personal preference. Instead, her daughter, Mary Elizabeth Bliss fulfilled the social duties of the role. Did you know? Margaret […]
Religious Freedom, Natural Rights, and our Forgotten Principles of Constitutional Liberty Speaker: Vincent Muñoz of the University of Notre Dame Date: Wednesday, September 21st at 3:00 p.m. Location: OMU Meacham […]
On September 22, 1692, the last executions of the Salem Witch Trials took place as eight people (7 women and 1 man) were hanged for witchcraft in Salem, Massachusetts. Did you know? By this point in the trials, public faith in the court was waning, and it was dissolved by the governor in October 1692. […]
Event: "The Supreme Court Today" Date: Thursday, September 22, 2022 at 10am Location: Milo Bali Student Center, 201 - Nebraska Room, 6203 University Dr N, Omaha, NE 68182 This event will be presented by Derek Webb, a Senior Managing Associate at Sidley Austin, LLP in their Supreme Court and Appellate Practice Group and the Dean's Visiting Scholar at […]
Lincoln, the Founding, and an America Worth Saving Speaker: Lucas Morel Date: Thursday, September 22, 2022, noon Location: 3260 UW Law School About the Event “Lincoln, the Founding, and an […]
The Constitution on Campus Center for American Studies Annual Conference and 15-year Anniversary Celebration Events will take place in Gaines Theater unless otherwise noted. These JMC-sponsored events are part of a conference on the Constitution on Campus and Beyond at the Center for American Studies. JMC Sponsored Events include: Date: September 22nd at 1:30 - […]
On September 23, 2022, the Zavala Program for Constitutional Studies at Baylor University will be hosting John Yoo for a discussion of electors, the 12th Amendment, and the upcoming 2024 presidential election. Friday, September 23, 2022 • 12:15 PM CDT Bennett Auditorium • Baylor University Free and open to the public Click here to learn […]
On September 23, 2022, the Tufts Program in Political Thought at Tufts University will be hosting Kinch Hoekstra for a lecture on Hobbes and Thucydides. Friday, September 23, 2022 • 12:00 PM EDT Tisch Library, Special Collections, Room 103 • Tufts University Click here to learn more >> Kinch Hoekstra is the Chancellor's […]
Patriotism, Our Most Contested Virtue Speaker: Steven Smith of Yale University Date: September 23rd at 1:00 p.m. Location: Cemo Hall, University of Houston
On this day in 1896, American author F. Scott Fitzgerald was born in St. Paul, Minnesota. He’s particularly associated with the Roaring ‘20s and his best-known work, The Great Gatsby (1925), which explores materialism, identity, and habits of Jazz Age members of “the Lost Generation.” 🎉 🥂 🍾 🎊 Did you know? The Great Gatsby […]
On September 24, 1906, Devil’s Tower in Wyoming was established as a national monument. An eye-catching geologic protrusion near the Black Hills, its formation dates back to the Triassic Period, 225-195 million years ago (!) ⛰⛰⛰ The monument is considered sacred by local Native American tribes, who have passed down its legends from generation to […]
On this day in 1690, the first American newspaper was published in Boston, Massachusetts, Publick Occurences Both Foreign and Domestick. Prior to this, only single-paged newspapers (called broadsides) had been published in the colonies. The first (and only) issue reported on smallpox, a deadly fire, French-English relations, and Native Americans in the region. 📰 📰 […]
On September 26, 1774, American folk legend Johnny Appleseed was born in Leominster, Massachusetts as John Chapman. Chapman was instrumental in easing settlers’ movement west. Contrary to popular belief, his apple seeds and orchards didn’t provide fruit so much as alcoholic cider, an essential drink at the 19th century American’s table. 🍎🍺🍏🍺🍎🍺 Did you […]
The Crisis Presidency Speaker: Benjamin Kleinerman Date: Monday, September 26, 2022 4:30-5:30 pm Location: Kettle Creek Room, University of Colorado, Colorado Springs Benjamin Kleinerman is a Professor of Political Science at Baylor University. He serves as chair of the American Political Thought section of the American Political Science Association. His first book, The Discretionary President: The Promise […]
Who are We, the People? James Baldwin, William F. Buckley Jr., and the American Dream Lecturer: Nicholas Buccola Date: Monday, September 26 at 7p.m. Location: Viking theater; St. Olaf College […]
On this day in 1722, revolutionary patriot Samuel Adams was born in Boston, Massachusetts. Adams was a particularly vocal supporter of American independence, boycotting British goods and serving as an important leader in the radical Sons of Liberty. He also wrote persuasive political pieces denouncing British taxes and later served in the new country’s Continental […]
On September 28, 2022, the Tufts Program in Political Thought at Tufts University will be hosting fellow Benjamin Storey and Jenna Silber Storey for a virtual discussion of their recent […]
Constitutional Hypocrisy and the Ethics of Constitutional Citizenship Lecturer: Dr. Connor Ewing, Assistant Professor, University of Toronto Date: Thursday, September 29, Talk and Discussion: 7:00pm Location: Foggy Bottom Room, Second Floor, Virginia Tech Research Center, 900 N. Glebe Rd, Arlington, VA Please RSVP to robertsp@vt.edu
On September 30, 2022, Harvard University's Program on Constitutional Government will host JMC faculty partner Greg Weiner for a lecture on Whig political thought and conserving the Constitution. Friday, September 30, 2022 • 12:00 PM EDT CGIS North (Knafel), Room K-354 • Harvard University RSVP to attend: pcg@gov.harvard.edu Andy Zwick, Executive Director Greg […]