Celebrate Constitution Day at America’s Town Hall
Every year on September 17, the National Constitution Center celebrates Constitution Day—the anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Constitution in 1787. You are invited to experience history in action through engaging programs and unforgettable experiences that bring America’s founding story to life. Join us for America’s Town Hall programs on Constitution Day at the Center or online—register to attend below. Museum admission is free courtesy of PECO.
Rediscovering America’s Forgotten Founders: Architects of the Constitution
Thursday, September 17 | 6:30 p.m. ET
Online and In Person
Explore the lives and legacies of four influential yet often overlooked founders: John Dickinson, Gouverneur Morris, Roger Sherman, and James Wilson. These “forgotten founders” played critical roles in drafting the Constitution, shaping the structure of the new government, and securing the document’s ratification.
Carol Berkin, author of the National Constitution Center’s definitive short biographies of all 56 signers; Jane E. Calvert, author of Penman of the Founding: A Biography of John Dickinson; Scott S. Greenberger, author of The Forsaken Founder: Gouverneur Morris, the Unsung Patriot Who Wrote the Constitution, Stood Up to Slavery, and Survived the Reign of Terror; and Jesse Wegman, author of The Lost Founder: James Wilson and the Forgotten Fight for a People’s Constitution, explore how these remarkable founders shaped the Constitution and why their ideas continue to resonate in American civic life today. Julie Silverbrook, chief content and learning officer at the National Constitution Center, moderates.REGISTER TO ATTEND ONLINEREGISTER TO ATTEND IN PERSON
Before the program, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., guests joining us at the Center will enjoy exclusive access to our two new permanent galleries, Governing the Nation and America’s Founding.
After the program, all four panelists will participate in a joint book signing. The panelists’ latest books will be available for purchase in the National Constitution Center’s Museum Store.
The Next 250: Youth Voices on the Civic Decade
Thursday, September 17 | 1 p.m. ET
Online and In Person
What do young people hope the next chapter of America’s story will look like? Earlier this year, Made By Us brought together young adults from across the country to draft and sign Youth250: Our Declaration, a youth-written declaration describing their hopes, commitments, and vision for the nation’s next 250 years.
Presented in partnership with Made By Us and History Co: Lab, this Constitution Day conversation will feature civically engaged young people reflecting on the nation’s first 250 years, the Youth250 Declaration, and their hopes for the Civic Decade ahead. Julie Silverbrook, chief content and learning officer at the National Constitution Center, will moderate.REGISTER TO ATTEND ONLINEREGISTER TO ATTEND IN PERSON
All guests attending the event in person must register using the form provided. Please submit only one registration and use your first and last name exactly as they appear on the valid government-issued photo identification you will present at event check-in.
For Young Learners: Student Town Hall
Jefferson, Madison, and the Road from Independence to the Constitution and Bill of Rights
Thursday, September 17 | 11:30 a.m. ET
Online and In Person
Gather the family together and join Thomas Jefferson, principal author of the Declaration of Independence, and James Madison, a leading architect of the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights, for a conversation exploring the connections among these three founding documents.
Joined by Julie Silverbrook, chief content and learning officer at the National Constitution Center, Jefferson and Madison will help students explore the extraordinary period of nation-building that began 250 years ago, from declaring independence to creating a new constitutional system of government. Students will also learn more about their lives and legacies and have the opportunity to ask questions.REGISTER TO ATTEND ONLINE
In-person attendance is included with free Constitution Day museum admission, advanced registration is not required.