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Carol Berkin on the Declaration’s lesser-known signers Jun 11, 2026

Show notes

If you ask Americans to name the signers of the Declaration of Independence, they will probably mention John Hancock, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and John Adams. But what about the other 52 delegates from the 13 colonies who signed the document? Men like Thomas McKean, Lyman Hall, George Walton, Francis Lewis, Benjamin Rush, and Roger Sherman? Historian Carol Berkin, one of the nation's leading scholars of the founding era and the author of the National Constitution Center's definitive short biographies of all 56 signers, joins the Center to explore the stories of these lesser-known signers. Berkin reveals these figures not as distant icons, but as real people whose lives were marked by ambition, sacrifice, hardship, resilience, and public service. As America celebrates its 250th anniversary, Berkin explains why understanding the full cast of characters behind American independence can deepen our appreciation of the nation’s founding and the ongoing work of constitutional self-government. Julie Silverbrook, chief content and learning officer at the National Constitution Center, moderates.

Resources

Josiah Bartlett (New Hampshire), National Constitution Center
Elbridge Gerry (Massachusetts), National Constitution Center
Button Gwinnett (Georgia), National Constitution Center
Lyman Hall (Georgia), National Constitution Center
Francis Lewis (New York), National Constitution Center
Thomas McKean (Delaware), National Constitution Center
Robert Morris, Jr. (Pennsylvania), National Constitution Center
Benjamin Rush (Pennsylvania), National Constitution Center
Roger Sherman (Connecticut), National Constitution Center
Richard Stockton (New Jersey), National Constitution Center
George Walton (Georgia), National Constitution Center
Biographies of all the Declaration’s Signers, National Constitution Center

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Justice Stephen Breyer on The Promise of America: Reflections on Our Enduring Ideals Jun 04, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer, retired, honorary co-chair of the National Constitution Center, joins to discuss The Promise of America: Reflections on Our Enduring Ideals, a new keepsake volume from the National Constitution Center. Justice Breyer, who wrote the book’s foreword, reflects on the enduring constitutional ideals explored in the volume and their continued relevance today. He is joined by the Honorable Cheryl Ann Krause, judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit and member of the National Constitution Center Board of Trustees.

This conversation was streamed live from Philadelphia as part of the NCC’s America’s Town Hall series on May 16, 2026.

Resources

The Promise of America: Reflections on Our Enduring Ideals
Justice Stephen G. Breyer, “It's up to us whether the American experiment succeeds,” (USA Today, May 11, 2026)
Justice Neil Gorsuch, “How Imperfect People Form a More Perfect Union,” (Wall Street Journal, May 8, 2026)
Reflections on Our Enduring Ideals: A Conversation with Justice Stephen Breyer , National Constitution Center, America’s Town Hall

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David Armitage on the Declaration’s Influence Around the World May 28, 2026

Show notes

The National Constitution Center recently published The Promise of America: Reflections on Our Enduring Ideals (Simon & Schuster), a keepsake collection of essays bringing together leading thinkers from across perspectives to reflect on the ideals at the heart of the American experiment and what those principles have meant across generations of American life. In this episode, Professor David Armitage discusses his essay, “The Declaration’s Influence Around the World,” which explores the document’s international legacy as a powerful blueprint for collective rights and national self-determination, and its ever-evolving domestic legacy as a touchstone for individual rights and human equality. Julie Silverbrook, chief content and learning officer at the National Constitution Center, moderates.

Resources

David Armitage, “The Declaration’s Influence Around the World”
National Constitution Center, The Declaration of Independence
Lemuel Haynes, “Liberty Further Extended” (1776)
Vermont Declaration of Independence (1777)
French Declaration of the Rights of Man (1789)
Haitian Declaration of Independence (1804)
Venezuelan Declaration of Independence (1811)
Greek Declaration of Independence (1822)
Belgian Declaration of Independence (1830)
New Zealand Declaration of Independence (1835)
Texas Declaration of Independence (1836)
Liberia Declaration of Independence (1847)
Declaration of Sentiments (1848)
Hungary Declaration of Independence (1849)
Proclamation of Independence of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (1945)
Israel Declaration of Independence (1948)
Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948)
Unilateral Declaration of Independence of Southern Rhodesia (1965)
The Black Declaration of Independence (1970)
Kosovo Declaration of Independence (2008)

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Questions or comments about the show? Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast@constitutioncenter.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Continue the conversation by following us on social media @ConstitutionCtr
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Michael Auslin on National Treasure May 21, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, Michael Auslin joins to discuss his new book, National Treasure: How the Declaration of Independence Made America, a sweeping and vivid history of the Declaration of Independence from its drafting to its enduring role in American life today. Tracing the remarkable journey of this iconic document—from a Philadelphia boarding house to wartime hiding places and its place as a national symbol—Auslin explores how its ideals of liberty and equality have inspired generations and continue to shape the American experiment. Thomas Donnelly, lead scholar at the National Constitution Center, moderates.

This program was streamed live on May 6, 2026, as part of the NCC's Book Club Series.

Resources

Michael Auslin, National Treasure: How the Declaration of Independence Made America(2026)
National Constitution Center, Interactive Declaration of Independence

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Questions or comments about the show? Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast@constitutioncenter.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
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Jonathan Adler and Stephen Vladeck Debate the Use of the “Shadow Docket” on the Roberts Court May 14, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, Jonathan Adler of William & Mary Law School and Stephen Vladeck of Georgetown University Law Center explore a part of the Supreme Court’s work that has drawn growing public attention: its emergency, or “shadow,” docket. Julie Silverbrook, chief content and learning officer at the National Constitution Center, moderates.

Resources

Jonathan Adler, “Reading the Clean Power Plan "Shadow Papers" in Context,” The Volokh Conspiracy (April 22, 2026)
Jonathan Adler, “Mifepristone Returns to the Shadow Docket,” The Volokh Conspiracy (May 3, 2026)
Stephen Vladeck, The Shadow Docket: How the Supreme Court Uses Stealth Rulings to Amass Power and Undermine the Republic(2024)
Stephen Vladeck, “Chief Justice Roberts and the Clean Power Plan,” OneFirst(April 20, 2026)
City of Los Angeles v. Lyons(1983)
Massachusetts v. EPA(2007)
Winter v. NRDC(2008)
West Virginia v. EPA(2016)
Biden v. Texas (2022)
United States v. Texas(2023)
FDA v. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine(2024)
Trump v. CASA(2024)
NIH v. American Public Health Association (2025)

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Questions or comments about the show? Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast@constitutioncenter.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
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Supreme Court Strikes Down Louisiana Congressional Map May 07, 2026

Show notes

On April 29, 2026, in Louisiana v. Callais, the Supreme Court invalidated a Louisiana congressional map, holding that racial considerations cannot predominate in the drawing of electoral districts. The ruling narrowed Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 by requiring plaintiffs to show intentional discrimination, not just discriminatory effects. In this episode, we explore the Court’s 6-3 decision and what it means for the future of the Voting Rights Act with two leading election law scholars: Edward Foley of The Ohio State University and Michael Morley of Florida State University College of Law. Julie Silverbrook, chief content and learning officer at the National Constitution Center, moderates.

Resources

Edward Foley, “The Supreme Court’s indefensible evisceration of the Voting Rights Act,” SCOTUSblog, May 5, 2026
Michael Morley, “Voting Rights Case Sets Stage for 2050’s Multiracial Democracy,” Bloomberg Law, May 6, 2026
Louisiana v. Callais (2026)
Allen v. Milligan (2023)
Robinson v. Ardoin(2022)
Brnovich v. Democratic National Committee (2021)
Shelby County v. Holder (2013)
Thornburg v. Gingles (1986)
Voting Rights Act (1965)
National Constitution Center, “The Supreme Court’s Callais decision sets new framework for racial gerrymandering” (April 30, 2026)
National Constitution Center, Voting Rights Classroom Resources
National Constitution Center, Elections and Voting in the Constitution (Constitution 101 Curriculum)

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Questions or comments about the show? Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast@constitutioncenter.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
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Sarah Isgur on Last Branch Standing Apr 30, 2026

Show notes

Sarah Isgur joins for a conversation on her new book, Last Branch Standing: A Potentially Surprising, Occasionally Witty Journey Inside Today's Supreme Court. Drawing on history, law, and current debates, Sarah Isgur offers an engaging look at the Supreme Court, exploring its unique role in American democracy, how the Court became the nation’s “last branch standing,” and what its growing power means for the future of the Constitution. Julie Silverbrook, chief content and learning officer at the National Constitution Center, moderates.

This conversation was originally streamed live as part of the NCC’s Book Club series on April 27, 2026.

Resources

Sarah Isgur, Last Branch Standing: A Potentially Surprising, Occasionally Witty Journey Inside Today's Supreme Court (2026)
Civic Parenting, a new podcast from the National Constitution Center

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Questions or comments about the show? Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast@constitutioncenter.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Continue the conversation by following us on social media @ConstitutionCtr
Explore the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠America at 250 Civic Toolkit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
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Revolutionary State Constitutions Apr 23, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, scholars Nicholas Cole and Robert Williams examine how American constitutional democracy is rooted in the crafting of Revolutionary-era state constitutions. Beginning in May 1776, Americans gave independence meaning by writing state constitutions, experimenting with self-government, and rooting political authority in the people. Cole and Williams explore this critical and often overlooked chapter of the founding era and how these early state constitutions shaped ideas about rights, government, and limits on power, helping to define the nation’s constitutional tradition and set its trajectory for generations to come. Julie Silverbrook, chief content and learning officer at the National Constitution Center, moderates.

Resources

Nicholas Cole, Quill Project
Robert Williams, The Law of American State Constitutions (2023)
Constitution of New Hampshire (January 5, 1776)
Constitution of South Carolina (March 26, 1776)
Constitution of Virginia (June 29, 1776)
Constitution of New Jersey (July 2, 1776)
Constitution of Delaware (September 10, 1776)
Constitution of Pennsylvania (September 28, 1776)
Constitution of Maryland (November 11, 1776)
Constitution of North Carolina (December 18, 1776)
Constitution of Georgia (February 5, 1777)
Constitution of New York (April 20, 1777)
Constitution of Vermont (July 8, 1777)
Constitution of South Carolina (March 19, 1778)
Constitution of Massachusetts (June 15, 1780)
Constitution of Vermont (July 4, 1786)
Marbury v. Madison (1803)
Alison L. LaCroix, The Interbellum Constitution: Union, Commerce, and Slavery in the Age of Federalisms (2024)
Gordon S. Wood, The Creation of the American Republic, 1776-1787 (1998)

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Questions or comments about the show? Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast@constitutioncenter.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Continue the conversation by following us on social media @ConstitutionCtr
Explore the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠America at 250 Civic Toolkit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
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Women and the American Revolution Apr 16, 2026

Show notes

Acclaimed historians Mary Beth Norton, the Mary Donlon Alger Professor Emerita of American History at Cornell University, and Rosemarie Zagarri, distinguished university professor of history at George Mason University, examine how women influenced the political, social, and intellectual currents of the American Revolution. The conversation explores how women’s experiences and contributions deepen and expand our understanding of America’s founding. Julie Silverbrook, chief content and learning officer at the National Constitution Center, moderates.

This program was streamed live from Philadelphia on March 23, 2026, as a part of the NCC's America's Town Hall Series.

Resources

Mary Beth Norton, Founding Mothers & Fathers: Gendered Power and the Forming of American Society
Mary Beth Norton, 1774: The Long Year of Revolution
Rosemarie Zagarri, Revolutionary Backlash: Women and Politics in the Early American Republic
Rosemarie Zagarri, “The Declaration’s Grievances Against the King”

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Questions or comments about the show? Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast@constitutioncenter.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Continue the conversation by following us on social media @ConstitutionCtr
Explore the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠America at 250 Civic Toolkit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
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Emily Sneff on When the Declaration of Independence Was News Apr 09, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, historian Emily Sneff discusses her new book, When the Declaration of Independence Was News, which focuses on the nation’s founding document at the moment of its creation in 1776, before anyone knew what the legacy of the Declaration would be or if the United States would win the war against Great Britain. The book explores how the Declaration was communicated to people in the new nation and across the Atlantic world and reveals the stories of the many people involved in declaring independence, from printers to soldiers to diplomats to translators. Julie Silverbrook, chief content and learning officer at the National Constitution Center, moderates.

Resources