We The People Stories

Howard Fineman, the highly respected political journalist, joins the National Constitution Center to discuss his absorbing new work of American history, journalism, and analysis "The Thirteen American Arguments." Fineman writes that every debate we have had in the political arena, from our founding to today, has evolved from one of these arguments. Though the conventional wisdom is that Americans argue too much, Fineman believes that just the opposite is true. Fineman finds many of these basic arguments are tied to the U.S. Constitution, from the Preamble being written in the name of “We the People,” to who determines what the law is. Program recorded on 05/20/08.

The National Constitution Center welcomes historian Allen Guelzo, two-time winner of the prestigious Lincoln Prize and author of Lincoln & Douglas: The Debates that Defined America, a new account honoring the 150th anniversary of the debates that made Lincoln a national figure and defined the slavery issue that would bring our country to Civil War. Program recorded on 05/13/08.

The Annual John M. Templeton, Jr. Lecture showcases the best constitutional minds in America as they discuss economic liberties in a forum open to the public. The Sixth Annual Templeton Lecture, presented in partnership with AARP, considers the issue of health care and is delivered by Secretary Tommy Thompson, former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services and the 42nd Governor of Wisconsin, with a response from Senator Tom Daschle, former Senate Majority Leader from South Dakota, moderated by Douglas Kmiec, Caruso Family Chair in Constitutional Law at the Pepperdine University School of Law. Program recorded on 06/17/08.

The National Constitution Center is now home to a rare printing of the Emancipation Proclamation signed by Abraham Lincoln. The Proclamation is considered the most important document issued by one of the greatest presidents in U.S. history. Along with the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, the Emancipation Proclamation is a national treasure. What has established this document in the public memory? What is its influence and impact upon African Americans and, indeed, all Americans? This program, with leading scholars Harold Holzer and Robert F. Engs, presents two perspectives on this iconic document. Program recorded on 02/26/08.

The National Constitution Center and The Independent Television Service (ITVS) present a discussion about the history of Liberia and its current policy aimed at preventing a descent into civil war, with Teta V. Banks, the Honorary Consul General of the Republic of Liberia, and Amie Sarnor, a 16 year old native of Liberia and sophomore at Constitution High School in Philadelphia. Program recorded on 02/20/2008.

America has always struggled to live up to ideals expressed in the Declaration of Independence and the freedoms written by the Founding Fathers in the Constitution. Nowhere has this idea played out more visibly than on the baseball field where men and women have fought to cross racial, cultural, and gender barriers for the equal opportunity to play the game. In conjunction with our spring 2008 exhibit, Baseball as America, the National Constitution Center presents “Baseball: The Melting Pot,” a special conversation about the ways in which the game of baseball has served as a reflection of our social tensions as well as ideals, and our struggle to become a more inclusive society. Program recorded on 04/28/2008.

A discussion with college filmmaker David Burstein, director of the documentary 18 in '08 featuring interviews with many of today’s most influential politicians, as well as popular culture figures, political activists, media commentators, and student leaders. The film is a call to young people to overturn traditional under-representation in election campaigns, get involved in the political process, and vote. Program recorded on 04/19/2008.

The National Constitution Center, in partnership with the Philadelphia Film Festival, presents a discussion with filmmaker Katrina Browne, director of "Traces of the Trade: A Story from the Deep North," and her cousin Thomas DeWolf, author of the new memoir "Inheriting the Trade," who together share the story of their ancestors, the largest slave-trading family in U.S. history. Program recorded on 04/24/2008.

A special Earth Day program in the Red, White, Blue and Green speaker series, featuring leading international economic advisor Jeffrey D. Sachs, author of the New York Times bestseller, The End of Poverty, and the new book, Common Wealth: Economics for a Crowded Planet. Considered one of the world’s greatest economists, Sachs provides an assessment of the environmental factors that threaten global prosperity, and a practical set of solutions based on a new economic paradigm for a crowded planet. Bill Blakemore of ABC News moderates. Program recorded on 04/22/2008.

To help us understand the many different challenges young people face on the battlefield and in periods of reconciliation, and to put the experiences of Sudanese "Lost Boy" Valentino Achak Deng and the words of author Dave Eggers into perspective, the National Constitution Center honors the One Book, One Philadelphia initiative with a conversation about the role of governments and their citizens to protect war's youngest victims. Program recorded on 03/19/2008.

The National Constitution Center welcomes Valerie Plame Wilson to discuss her autobiography, Fair Game: My Life as a Spy, My Betrayal by the White House. Plame Wilson provides her perspective on the public disclosure of her identity as a CIA officer and the federal investigation that led to the trial and conviction of Vice President Dick Cheney's chief of staff, Scooter Libby. Trudy Rubin of the Philadelphia Inquirer moderates. Program recorded on 02/05/2008.

Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich joins several executives engaged in the business of "going green" to address the environmental challenges of the 21st century. This is the first in a new series of programs called Red, White, Blue & Green about unique constitutional issues pertaining to environmental policy and stewardship. Program recorded on 03/20/2008.

The Cephalon Speaker Series for Science and the Constitution is a partnership between Cephalon, Inc. and the National Constitution Center intended to attract local and national experts to discuss constitutional issues pertaining to science, public policy and the law. The second program in the series, “Choices and Challenges in the New Age of Life Sciences,” is a conversation with bio-ethicists and legal scholars about how new scientific knowledge and privacy matters will conflict in the future. Program recorded on 03/17/2007.

Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich joins several executives engaged in the business of "going green" to address the environmental challenges of the 21st century. This is the first in a new series of programs called Red, White, Blue & Green about unique constitutional issues pertaining to environmental policy and stewardship. Program recorded on 03/20/2008.

To help us understand how all citizens play a role in addressing the environmental challenges of the 21st century, the National Constitution Center and Philadelphia magazine proudly welcome Mayor Michael Nutter of Philadelphia and Mayor John Janssen of Greensburg, KS for a special "Philadelphia Talks" program titled “Sustainable Cities,” the second event in the Center's Red, White, Blue & Green series. Program recorded on 04/09/2008.

This "Election 08: The Power of We" podcast goes to the heart of the primary process: Is it fair? Should it be changed? If so, how? A distinguished panel of political insiders, including Bay Buchanan, Pedro A. Cortés, Thomas "Tad" Devine, Chris Henick and Meredith White respond to citizen ideas on reform. Program recorded on 04/02/2008.

As part of the Peter Jennings Project, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Sherrilyn Ifill, Elena Kagan, and Gene Pratter will participate on a panel discussing the successes, continued challenges and emerging issues, faced by women in the legal profession. In a conversation moderated by ABC News correspondent Lynn Sherr, these distinguished jurists and scholars will consider whether women read the Constitution differently than men, if there is such a thing as women's "justice,” what are the unintended consequences of women’s equality are shaped by the law, and why women have advanced more quickly than African Americans in the field. Program recorded on 03/08/2008.

As part of the Peter Jennings Project, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Sherrilyn Ifill, Elena Kagan, and Gene Pratter will participate on a panel discussing the successes, continued challenges and emerging issues, faced by women in the legal profession. In a conversation moderated by ABC News correspondent Lynn Sherr, these distinguished jurists and scholars will consider whether women read the Constitution differently than men, if there is such a thing as women's "justice,” what are the unintended consequences of women’s equality are shaped by the law, and why women have advanced more quickly than African Americans in the field. Program recorded on 03/08/2008.

On January 1, 1808, the United States Congress prohibited the importation of slaves to America as allowed by Article 1, Section 9 of the United States Constitution. To mark the 200th anniversary of this historic legislation, and to help us understand the political and cultural climate surrounding the issue of slavery in the early decades of the republic, the National Constitution Center proudly welcomes 2008 visiting scholar Martha S. Jones and Howard Ohline, a prestigious scholar of American history, to place the legacy of slavery into legal and historical context. Stephanie McCurry, Professor of History at the University of Pennsylvania, moderates the conversation. Program recorded on 02/11/2008.

The National Constitution Center welcomes U.S. Rep. Patrick J. Murphy, the first Iraq War veteran to be elected to the United States Congress. Murphy’s new book, Taking the Hill: From Philly to Baghdad to the United States Congress, highlights his love for family and the belief that the American dream is still within reach. Marjorie Margolies moderates. Program recorded on 02/18/2008.

The National Constitution Center welcomes Valerie Plame Wilson to discuss her new autobiography, Fair Game: My Life as a Spy, My Betrayal by the White House. Plame Wilson provides her perspective on the public disclosure of her identity as a CIA officer and the federal investigation that led to the trial and conviction of Vice President Dick Cheney's chief of staff, Scooter Libby. Trudy Rubin of the Philadelphia Inquirer moderates. Program recorded on 02/05/2008.

The National Constitution Center welcomes two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Anthony Lewis, one of the country’s most esteemed experts on the First Amendment and the author of the classic Gideon’s Trumpet, to share his latest work, Freedom for the Thought That We Hate on the importance of freedom of expression. Program recorded on 01/14/08.

The National Constitution Center welcomes Senator Bill Bradley–bestselling author, New York Knicks star, and former presidential candidate–for a conversation about what it will take to make America a better, stronger, truer country. With Matt Bai, national political writer for the New York Times Magazine, moderating the conversation, the 2008 presidential primaries and the American political landscape will also be discussed. Program recorded on 01/22/2008.

The Cephalon Speaker Series for Science and the Constitution is a partnership between Cephalon, Inc. and the National Constitution Center intended to attract local and national experts to discuss constitutional issues pertaining to science, public policy and the law. The first program in the series, “Regulating the Practice of Medicine,” is a conversation with industry insiders about how business and government promote, regulate, pay for and prohibit products in the health care industry. Program recorded on 12/11/2007.

In 1961, world-renowned photographer Richard Avedon took some intimate and illuminating images of the Kennedy family on the eve of John F. Kennedy’s inauguration, only six of which have ever been seen. The National Constitution Center welcomes Shannon Thomas Perich, author of the new book The Kennedys: Portrait of a Family, to reveal the photographs never seen outside the Smithsonian collection and to share the story of a First Family on the brink of history. Dr. Myra Gutin, an expert on the history of first ladies, moderates the conversation. Program recorded on 10/30/2007.

The National Constitution Center, in partnership with the Juvenile Law Center, honors the fortieth anniversary of the In re Gault Supreme Court decision--determining that proceedings for juveniles had to comply with the requirements of the Fourteenth Amendment--with a conversation about the state of children’s rights under the Constitution then and now. Program recorded on 11/07/2007.

A special Veteran’s Day 2007 event with award winning documentary filmmaker and author Ken Burns, director of the new film series The War on PBS. Burns, who also co-wrote the companion volume The War: An Intimate History, will share the American experience of World War II through the words and deeds of those who made history on the battlefields and on the home front. These vivid accounts of ordinary men and women who experienced—and helped to win—the most extraordinary war in history truly encapsulates the meaning of “We, The People.” Program recorded on 11/12/2007.

Tom Brokaw, bestselling author and veteran broadcaster, discusses his book Boom! Personal Reflections on the Sixties and Today. As he did with The Greatest Generation, Brokaw brings to life another pivotal time in American history: the 1960s. In Boom!, the veteran news anchor surveys how famous people, ordinary citizens, and national mindset were all affected by an unforgettable time of turbulence and change. Andrea Mitchell, Chief Foreign Affairs Correspondent for NBC News, moderated this conversation. Program recorded on 11/28/2007.

The National Constitution Center hosts a conversation about the role of religion in government and the influence of religious conservatives in politics, featuring Kathleen Kennedy Townsend and Peter A. Lillback. Townsend, author of Failing America’s Faithful, argues that for too long, the subject of religion has become polarized – politicized by the right and largely ignored by the left. In contrast Lillback, author of Wall of Misconception, counters the claims that Christianity must only reside in the walls of the church by pointing to the religious beliefs of America's Founding Fathers. John DiIulio of the University of Pennsylvania, the first director of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, moderates the discussion. Program recorded on 12/17/2007.

StoryCorps founder Dave Isay discusses the most ambitious oral history project in American history and his new book, "Listening Is an Act of Love: A Celebration of American Life from the StoryCorps Project," a tapestry of the stories Americans have been sharing from their lives, capturing for posterity the issues that define us as “We, the People.” A special introduction provided by NPR's Terry Gross, host of "Fresh Air." Program recorded on 12/04/2007.