Live at the National Constitution Center

Richard Brookhiser, senior editor at National Review, joins to discuss his latest book, The Hero Returns: Lafayette and the Legacy of Revolution. When the Marquis de Lafayette returned to the United States in 1824, Americans welcomed him as the last surviving major general of the Revolutionary War. The Hero Returns explores Lafayette’s celebrated farewell tour and examines how his visit helped Americans reflect on the meaning and enduring legacy of the Revolution. Thomas Donnelly, lead scholar at the National Constitution Center, moderates. About NCC Book Clubs: This event is part of the National Constitution Center’s Book Club series, which invites Americans of all ages to engage with works by leading scholars and thinkers exploring the Constitution, American history, and the ideas that shape our constitutional democracy. Through conversations with authors representing a range of perspectives, the series encourages thoughtful discussion grounded in primary sources and constitutional principles. The Center convenes these conversations as a forum for learning and dialogue. The views expressed are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect those of the National Constitution Center. Resources Richard Brookhiser, The Hero Returns: Lafayette and the Legacy of Revolution Stay Connected and Learn More  Stay connected with Live at the National Constitution Center—follow, rate, and review the show wherever you listen.  Questions or comments? Email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.  Follow @ConstitutionCtr on social media and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠sign up⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to receive Constitution Weekly, our email roundup of constitutional news and debate.  Support our important work by making a donation today.  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Donate⁠⁠

The National Constitution Center previews the Supreme Court’s 2026-2027 term. Masha Hansford, partner at Davis Polk & Wardwell, Amy Howe, co-founder of SCOTUSblog, and Greg Stohr, Supreme Court reporter for Bloomberg News, join to break down the biggest cases on the docket, unpack the constitutional questions at stake, and explore the issues that could have the biggest impact on the Court in the year ahead. Tom Donnelly, lead scholar at the National Constitution Center, moderates.  Resources  New Supreme Court term features First Amendment, other challenges, Scott Bomboy for Constitution Daily, October 2, 2026  Supreme Court to start new term with major environmental case, Scott Bomboy for Constitution Daily, September 29, 2026  Supreme Court asked to rule on federal ban on home production of distilled spirits, Scott Bomboy for Constitution Daily, September 25, 2026  Supreme Court asked to consider dispute over religious use of public park, Scott Bomboy for Constitution Daily, September 9, 2026  Supreme Court allows Trump voting executive order to move forward pending challenges, Scott Bomboy for Constitution Daily, August 25, 2026  Ten Commandments school dispute heading to the Supreme Court, Scott Bomboy for Constitution Daily, August 19, 2026  Climate change lawsuit to kick off Supreme Court’s next term, Scott Bomboy for Constitution Daily, August 6, 2026  A new Eighth Amendment controversy heads to the Supreme Court, Scott Bomboy for Constitution Daily, July 22, 2026  Four cases to watch in the Supreme Court’s next term, Scott Bomboy for Constitution Daily, July 15, 2026 Stay Connected and Learn More  Stay connected with Live at the National Constitution Center—follow, rate, and review the show wherever you listen.  Questions or comments? Email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.  Follow @ConstitutionCtr on social media and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠sign up⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to receive Constitution Weekly, our email roundup of constitutional news and debate.  Support our important work by making a donation today.  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Donate⁠⁠

In celebration of Constitution Day, the National Constitution Center explores the lives and legacies of John Dickinson, Gouverneur Morris, Roger Sherman, and James Wilson, four “forgotten founders” who 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, discuss 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. Resources Carol Berkin, Signers’ Biographies, National Constitution Center Jane E. Calvert, Penman of the Founding: A Biography of John Dickinson (2024) Scott S. Greenberger, The Forsaken Founder: Gouverneur Morris, the Unsung Patriot Who Wrote the Constitution, Stood Up to Slavery, and Survived the Reign of Terror (2026) Jesse Wegman, The Lost Founder: James Wilson and the Forgotten Fight for a People's Constitution (2026) Stay Connected and Learn More  Stay connected with Live at the National Constitution Center—follow, rate, and review the show wherever you listen.  Questions or comments? Email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.  Follow @ConstitutionCtr on social media and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠sign up⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to receive Constitution Weekly, our email roundup of constitutional news and debate.  Support our important work by making a donation today.  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Donate⁠⁠

In this episode, Stanford University Professor Caroline Winterer explores how the American founders drew inspiration from not only classical Greece and Rome, but other civilizations in the ancient world, including Carthage, Rome’s mortal enemy. In celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, the conversation explores how the founders looked much more broadly in the ancient world for inspiration during the American Revolution and how these ideas have shaped our constitutional democracy. Thomas Donnelly, lead scholar at the National Constitution Center, moderates. This program was presented in partnership with the University of Pennsylvania Department of Classical Studies. It was the first in a three-part lecture series featuring Caroline Winterer titled “American Antiquities: Beyond the Classical World of the American Founders.” Information on the additional two lectures can be found here. Resources  What the Founders Learned from the Greeks and Romans, National Constitution Center Town Hall, December 3, 2020 Caroline Winterer, American Enlightenments: Pursuing Happiness in the Age of Reason (2016) Caroline Winterer, The Mirror of Antiquity: American Women and the Classical Tradition, 1750–1900 (2007) Caroline Winterer, The Culture of Classicism: Ancient Greece and Rome in American Intellectual Life, 1780-1910 (2004) Stay Connected and Learn More  Stay connected with Live at the National Constitution Center—follow, rate, and review the show wherever you listen.  Questions or comments? Email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.  Follow @ConstitutionCtr on social media and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠sign up⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to receive Constitution Weekly, our email roundup of constitutional news and debate.  Support our important work by making a donation today.  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Donate⁠⁠

In this episode, Technology and constitutional scholar Jonathan Zittrain and Distinguished Professor of Law at Rutgers Law School Ellen Goodman examine the intersection of the First Amendment and artificial intelligence, how constitutional values can help guide emerging technologies, and what the future of free expression looks like in the digital age. Julie Silverbrook, chief content and learning officer at the National Constitution Center, moderates. This program is presented in partnership with the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation as part of First Amendment Day, a new annual celebration inviting visitors of all ages to explore the five freedoms of the First Amendment through conversation, creativity, history, and hands-on experiences. Resources  The First Amendment, National Constitution Center Free Speech in a Changing World, National Constitution Center’s We the People podcast, July 30, 2026 Stay Connected and Learn More  Stay connected with Live at the National Constitution Center—follow, rate, and review the show wherever you listen.  Questions or comments? Email ⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠.  Follow @ConstitutionCtr on social media and ⁠⁠⁠⁠sign up⁠⁠⁠⁠ to receive Constitution Weekly, our email roundup of constitutional news and debate.  Support our important work by making a donation today.  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Donate⁠