Simone Lawson
The National Constitution Center is a non-profit, non-government-funded institution devoted to the study and education of the Constitution of the United States. It was first approved in 1988 by President Ronald Reagan, with the groundbreaking ceremony taking place on September 17, 2000, and the center opening its doors on July 4, 2003. The center has since offered onsite and online civic-education programs, with millions of online participants engaging with NCC resources and programs annually.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of approval | September 16, 1988 |
| Date of signing by President Ronald Reagan | September 16, 1988 |
| Groundbreaking ceremony date | September 17, 2000 |
| Opening date | July 4, 2003 |
| Address | 525 Arch Street |
| Date of Constitutional Convention | May 25, 1787 |
| Date of first public printing of the Constitution | September 19, 1787 |
| Date of hosting the second 2024 Presidential debate | September 10, 2024 |
| Date of launch of Interactive Constitution | 2015 |
Explore related products
$22.49 $35
What You'll Learn
The National Constitution Center is a non-profit institution
The National Constitution Center was created by the Constitution Heritage Act, which was approved on September 16, 1988, and signed by President Ronald Reagan. The act defined the center as "within or in close proximity to the Independence National Historical Park." The address chosen for the center is 525 Arch Street, commemorating the date of May 25 when the Constitutional Convention began in Philadelphia.
The groundbreaking ceremony for the National Constitution Center was held on September 17, 2000, the 213th anniversary of the signing of the Constitution. The center opened its doors on July 4, 2003, joining other historic sites and attractions in what has been dubbed "America's most historic square mile." Since its opening, the center has become a cultural landmark in Philadelphia, attracting a million visitors annually and hosting blockbuster exhibitions.
The National Constitution Center is more than just a museum; it is a platform for constitutional education and debate. The center has hosted several notable debates, including the 2008 Democratic presidential primary debate between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, a town hall meeting with Senator John McCain, and the 2024 Presidential debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. The center also became home to the Philadelphia Liberty Medal in 2006, an annual award recognizing individuals who strive to secure liberty and freedom around the globe.
Writing Constitutional Clauses: A Guide
You may want to see also
The center offers online civic-education programs
The National Constitution Center is a non-profit institution devoted to the study and celebration of the U.S. Constitution and its legacy of human freedom. It is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and serves as a national town hall, hosting debates, discussions, and educational programs. The center opened its doors in 2003, but its history goes back to the proposal for a permanent memorial to the Constitution during the centennial celebrations in 1887.
The center offers a range of onsite and online civic-education programs through its Annenberg Center for Education and Outreach. These programs include interactive exhibits, rare documents, artifacts, theatre programs, and educational activities. The center's website, launched in 2015, is now the third-most-visited museum website in the country. It provides a wealth of resources, including videos, podcasts, blog posts, and primary source documents that offer deep insights into the Constitution and America's founding principles.
The online Interactive Constitution is the centerpiece of the center's educational efforts, uniting scholars, educators, and students in a shared exploration of the nation's founding document. The website also hosts live interactive events, bringing together historians, scholars, public officials, and journalists to engage in balanced debates on timely constitutional issues.
The National Constitution Center's civic-education mission extends beyond its physical location, utilizing digital platforms to reach a wide audience. The online resources are designed to inspire and engage all Americans, regardless of age or perspective, in learning about the Constitution and its relevance today. Through its virtual offerings, the center ensures that people across the country and around the world can access its educational content, fostering a deeper understanding of constitutional history and its impact on modern-day rights and liberties.
The center's online programs provide a unique opportunity for individuals to explore the Constitution at their own pace, delving into the rich collection of historical documents, videos, and interactive exhibits. By making its resources accessible online, the center encourages lifelong learning and empowers individuals to continue their exploration of constitutional principles long after their visit to the physical museum.
Georgia's Constitution: How Long Has It Been in Force?
You may want to see also
The center opened in 2003
The National Constitution Center opened its doors on July 4, 2003, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The center is an interactive museum and national town hall that serves as a platform for constitutional education and debate. It is located at 525 Arch Street, just steps away from Independence Hall, where the Constitution was signed. The address was specifically chosen because May 25 (5/25) is the date that the Constitutional Convention began in Philadelphia in 1787.
The center's opening in 2003 marked the culmination of years of efforts to establish a permanent memorial to the Constitution. The idea for a memorial was first proposed during the centennial celebration of the Constitution in 1887 but did not gain traction until the bicentennial celebration in 1987. In 1988, President Ronald Reagan signed the Constitution Heritage Act, authorizing the establishment of the National Constitution Center. The groundbreaking ceremony for the center took place on September 17, 2000, 213 years after the signing of the Constitution.
Since its opening, the National Constitution Center has become a cultural landmark in Philadelphia, attracting over a million visitors annually. It offers interactive programs and exhibits that bring the Constitution to life for visitors of all ages. The center also serves as a headquarters for civic education, providing educational resources and online programs that engage Americans in learning about the Constitution.
The center has hosted several notable debates, including the 2008 Democratic presidential primary debate between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, and a 2006 Pennsylvania Senatorial debate between Rick Santorum and Bob Casey. It is also home to the Philadelphia Liberty Medal, an annual award recognizing individuals who strive to secure liberty and freedom around the globe.
Lecompton Constitution: What Was Its Fate?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$14.99
The center is located at 525 Arch Street
The National Constitution Center is located at 525 Arch Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The address was specifically chosen because May 25 (5/25) was the date that the Constitutional Convention began in Philadelphia. The center is a non-profit institution devoted to the study of the Constitution of the United States. It is an interactive museum that serves as a national town hall, bringing together people of all ages and perspectives to learn about, debate, and celebrate the U.S. Constitution.
The center opened on July 4, 2003, joining other historic sites and attractions in what has been called "America's most historic square mile". The groundbreaking ceremony was held on September 17, 2000, the 213th anniversary of the signing of the Constitution. The center was created by the Constitution Heritage Act, which was approved on September 16, 1988, and signed by President Ronald Reagan.
The National Constitution Center is made of American products, including 85,000 square feet of Indiana limestone, 2.6 million pounds of steel, and a half-million cubic feet of concrete. The architectural firm of Pei Cobb Freed & Partners designed the center, and Leslie E. Robertson Associates were the structural engineers for the project.
The center offers civic learning resources onsite and online, including live virtual classes and other interactive online events. Visitors can also purchase tickets online, via phone, or in person. The museum features exhibits and artifacts, a 360-degree live theatrical production called Freedom Rising, and 42 life-size bronze statues of the Founding Fathers.
Texas Constitution: Impact of Political Culture
You may want to see also
The center is America's leading platform for constitutional education
The National Constitution Center is a non-profit institution devoted to the study and celebration of the US Constitution. It is located at 525 Arch Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, within the Independence National Historical Park. The address was chosen because May 25 (5/25) was the date the Constitutional Convention began in the city. The center was approved on September 16, 1988, and signed by President Ronald Reagan.
The center is a leading platform for constitutional education and debate, bringing together people of all ages and perspectives, across America and beyond. It serves as a museum, a town hall, and a headquarters for civic education. As a museum, it offers an interactive experience with rare artifacts, historic documents, and galleries. Visitors can also sign the Constitution alongside 42 life-size bronze statues of the Founding Fathers in the Signers' Hall.
The National Constitution Center also hosts government leaders, journalists, scholars, and celebrities for public discussions, debates, and events. It has hosted several notable debates, including a 2008 Democratic primary debate between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, and a 2024 Presidential debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. The center is also home to the Philadelphia Liberty Medal, an annual award recognising those who strive to secure liberty around the world.
The center provides a range of educational resources, including over 150 primary source documents that inspired the Founders, educational videos, and recorded sessions from live classes. It also offers online civic-education programs and a study centre that develops and distributes teaching tools, lesson plans, and resources.
Minimum Wage: Constitutional Rights and Protections
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The groundbreaking ceremony was held on September 17, 2000, and the center opened its doors on July 4, 2003.
The center has offered online civic education programs since its inception. Its online Interactive Constitution, launched in 2015, has made its website the third most visited museum website in the country.
The center offers online interactive programs, videos, blog posts, and weekly podcasts that provide a balanced debate on timely constitutional issues.
The National Constitution Center is a non-profit, interactive museum, national town hall, and civic education headquarters dedicated to the U.S. Constitution and its legacy of freedom.
The center's mission is to "disseminate information about the U.S. Constitution on a nonpartisan basis in order to increase awareness and understanding of the Constitution among the American people."
