At just 26, Thomas Lynch Jr. was one of the youngest signers of the #DeclarationofIndependence, and the #BermudaTriangle plays a role in his story. Learn more: https://constitutioncenter.org/signers/thomas-lynch-jr-1749-1779 #OurStoryContinues

#OnThisDay in 1735, a jury acquits publisher John Peter Zenger of libeling New York’s colonial governor in an early landmark moment for freedom of the press. https://ow.ly/6UF450ZuplH

On this day, an early victory for the free press | Constitution Center

On August 4, 1735, a jury acquitted publisher John Peter Zenger of libel charges against New York’s colonial governor, in an early landmark moment for the free press and the American legal system.

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#OnThisDay in 1821, William Floyd, a signer of the #DeclarationofIndependence dies. After he cast his vote for independence, the British confiscated his farm for seven years. Explore his story: https://ow.ly/baS450ZupjM #OurStoryContinues

Join author Timothy Sandefur for #NCCBookClub to discuss his book "Proclaiming Liberty: John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and the Declaration of Independence." Register to attend on August 10 at Noon ET: https://ow.ly/V9s250ZvX44

We celebrate independence on the Fourth of July, but when did members of the Second Continental Congress actually start signing the document? #OnThisDay in 1776, the signing of the #DeclarationofIndependence begins. Learn more with #ConstitutionDaily: https://ow.ly/QgTM50Zuphn

On this day, the Declaration of Independence is officially signed | Constitution Center

August 2, 1776 is one of the most important but least celebrated days in American history, when 56 members of the Second Continental Congress started signing the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia.

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#OnThisDay in 1805, French historian Alexis de Tocqueville is born in Paris. He is most well-known for authoring “Democracy in America.” Learn more about his writings with this #AmericasTownHall from our archive: https://ow.ly/w6Yv50ZlKeh

Lessons from Tocqueville in America

Alexis de Tocqueville’s Democracy in America has been called by Harvey Mansfield the “best book ever written on democracy and the best book ever written on A...

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When the founders wrote the phrase “the consent of the governed,” what did they mean? To honor the late Gordon S. Wood, American Heritage Magazine shares an essay he wrote for #PromiseOfAmerica, an anthology compiled by National Constitution Center. Read now: https://ow.ly/rfzX50ZtTz7

What Does “Consent of the Governed” Actually Mean?

Our Founders profoundly transformed the way people participate in government.

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#OnThisDay in 1787, Congress creates the State Department, which became an important part of the executive branch established under the new #Constitution. Learn more on #ConstitutionDaily: https://ow.ly/E7gE50ZlK3y

Happy birthday to the Department of State | Constitution Center

On July 27, 1789, Congress created the State Department, which became an important part of the Executive Branch established under the new Constitution.

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Today marks the anniversary of the tragic story of Silas Deane, a Founding Father who was later banned from America and died under mysterious circumstances. Learn more on #ConstitutionDaily: https://ow.ly/FaW550ZlK5u

Silas Deane: Founding Father, spy, and Loyalist? | Constitution Center

Today marks the anniversary of the odd, tragic story of Silas Deane, a Founding Father who was later banned from America and died under mysterious circumstances.

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#OnThisDay in 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act is signed into law. Disability rights advocate Justin Dart used this wheelchair at the signing of the legislation; see it on display at the National Constitution Center. Credit: National Constitution Center Collection, Gift of Yoshiko Dart

Follow Julie Silverbrook’s new Substack, the #CivicDecade, to explore how we can expand constitutional knowledge, renew our civic culture, and strengthen the civic institutions that will sustain our constitutional democracy for generations to come. Visit https://ow.ly/VWio50ZsWIh to learn more.

#OnThisDay in 1974, the U.S. Supreme Court dealt a fatal blow to President Richard Nixon’s presidency, in a decision that led to the release of the Watergate tapes. https://ow.ly/FN5b50ZlJs4

#OnThisDay in 1793, Roger Sherman, dies. He signed all three of the most important documents of the Revolutionary era: the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the U.S. Constitution. https://ow.ly/1J9950Zs3TH

Our inaugural Civic Education for Rural and Remote Communities fellows are hard at work, and the nation is noticing! What do the educators participating have to say? Keep reading to find out. #NCCed⬇️

This week, #SCOTUS accepted a petition from Alaska involving an alleged six-pack of beer 🍺, an airplane 🛩️, and the Eighth Amendment’s Excessive Fines Clause 💰. #ConstitutionDaily previews the case: https://ow.ly/eJZN50Zrvy6

Enjoy the end of summer with an unforgettable evening of family-friendly activities, after-hours museum exploration, and hands-on fun before the school year begins! Join us for a Family Fun Night on Thursday, August 13 at 5 p.m. ET! Admission is free. Reserve your spot: https://ow.ly/CyqV50ZqTfP

This week on #CivicParenting, hear the Varahachaikol family—Adam, Kelsey, and their 7-year-old son Dominic—explore how their family has woven civic learning into everyday life, demonstrating what it means to be civic parents. 🎧 Listen now: https://ow.ly/3jmP50ZqRHk

#OnThisDay in 1848, the first formal women’s rights convention occurs in Seneca Falls, New York. A printing of the Declaration of Sentiments listing the demands put forth at the convention is on display in our exhibit, #HowWomenWonTheVote. https://ow.ly/znsI50ZgVhY Credit: Anonymous Collection

The legendary confrontation between William Jennings Bryan and Clarence Darrow in the Scopes Monkey Trial took place #OnThisDay in 1925. Learn more about this famous legal case: https://ow.ly/hC5Y50ZlJka

10 facts about the most famous scene in legal history | Constitution Center

The legendary confrontation between William Jennings Bryan and Clarence Darrow in the Scopes Monkey Trial took place on a hot Monday afternoon on July 20, 1925. But the real clash of the cultural titans didn’t exactly match what was later popularized in movies and theater.

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Explore family records and historical documents to discover how generations of Americans have contributed to the country’s civic life. Visit “The Stories of US” Discovery Center for free, presented in partnership with Ancestry: https://ow.ly/tbPW50ZnuVY

#OnThisDay in 1947, Congress changes the order of who can succeed the president and vice president in office to more closely reflect the ideas of the founding generation. #ConstitutionDaily https://ow.ly/PFTT50ZlJiS

On this day, Truman, Congress decide current line of presidential succession | Constitution Center

On this day in 1947, Congress changed the order of who can succeed the President and Vice President in office, more closely reflecting the wishes of the Founding Fathers.

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#OnThisDay in 1744, Elbridge Gerry, an American Revolutionary leader, Declaration of Independence signer, Constitutional Convention delegate, and vice president, is born. Learn about Gerry’s legacy: https://ow.ly/7WCS50ZlIRk #OurStoryContinues

A birthday tribute to the Founding Father of gerrymandering | Constitution Center

It’s the birthday of a Founding Father whose name you know today as part of a controversial political term.

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This week on the #WeThePeoplePodcast, scholars Jonathan Adler, Greg Garre, Katherine Mims Crocker, and Howard Wasserman discuss the state of civil discourse inside #SCOTUS and in public debate about the Court. Listen now: https://ow.ly/hHnl50ZoTG6

#OnThisDay in 1790, the Residence Act puts the nation’s capital in current-day Washington, D.C., as part of a plan to appease pro-slavery states who feared a Northern capital as being too sympathetic to abolitionists. https://ow.ly/IjYu50ZlIMC

How Philadelphia lost the nation’s capital to Washington | Constitution Center

It’s a sad day for some historically minded Philadelphians: It's the anniversary of the congressional act that moved the nation’s capital from their city to Washington, D.C.

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Join Ilan Wurman for an #NCCBookClub conversation on his new book, "The Constitution of 1789: A New Introduction." Julie Silverbrook moderates. Register to attend Monday, July 27 at 6:30 p.m. ET: https://ow.ly/cans50ZnV5r

#OnThisDay in 1890, the Populist Party—an enormously influential third party—holds their first nomination convention in Nebraska. Read the party’s 1892 platform in our #FoundersLibrary: https://ow.ly/3XVE50ZlIKE

Populist Party Platform (1892) | Constitution Center

National Constitution Center Historic Documents Library record for Populist Party Platform (1892)

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On Independence Day, five families from across the country joined us to fill time capsules that they will return to open when the Constitution turns 250, celebrating the #CivicDecade. Check out this feature from This Is Reno on the family that travelled the farthest: https://ow.ly/9LF050ZnvpK

Reno family selected for America 250 time capsule ceremony in Philadelphia

A Reno family was chosen for the National Constitution Center's Family Time Capsule Challenge. Learn about their experience and the items they placed in the capsule.

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#OnThisDay in 1913, former President Gerald Ford is born in Omaha, Neb. Learn about the nation’s 38th president and the unusual way he went from a college football star 🏈 to the White House 🦅. https://ow.ly/LLzq50ZlIIM

Gerald Ford’s unique role in American history | Constitution Center

Today is the birthday of the late former President, Gerald R. Ford, who went from being a college football star to the White House under the most unusual circumstances.

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#OnThisDay in 1789, the Sedition Act is signed into law. See a copy of the act and learn about the free speech battles that followed in our exhibit, #TheFirstAmendment. https://ow.ly/2U5m50ZgT8i Credit: Loan, Freedom Forum’s Newseum Collection

America’s 250th wasn’t the finish line—it was the beginning. How will Americans continue this momentum? Vince Stango & Julie Silverbrook's answer is the #CivicDecade, an invitation to renew civic life & strengthen civic institutions. Read via Fulcrum: thefulcrum.us/civic-engage...