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Interpretation: The Free Exercise Clause | Constitution Center

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National Constitution Center @constitutionctr.bsky.social · 2d

#OnThisDay in 1635, Roger Williams is banished from Massachusetts Bay Colony due to his religious beliefs.

Explore how the #FreeExercise clause, protecting freedom of religion, became a part of the #USConstitution:

Interpretations of The Free Exercise Clause by constitutional scholars

Franklin Pierce’s murky legacy as President

National Constitution Center @constitutionctr.bsky.social · 4d

#OnThisDay in 1869, former President Franklin Pierce dies. He struggled as a leader when he openly advocated for pro-slavery states in the 1850s.

Learn more about Pierce’s murky legacy as president:

On this day in 1869, former President Franklin Pierce passed away in New Hampshire. Pierce was regarded as an ethical hard worker, but he struggled as a national leader when he openly advocated for pro-slavery states as a Northerner in the 1850s.

On this day: “No taxation without representation!”

National Constitution Center @constitutionctr.bsky.social · 5d

The Stamp Act Congress meets on this day in 1765, leading the nine Colonies to declare the English crown had no right to tax Americans who lacked representation in British Parliament.

The Stamp Act Congress met on this day in New York in 1765, a meeting that led nine Colonies to declare the English Crown had no right to tax Americans who lacked representation in British Parliament.

A new Supreme Court term with high stakes for the nation and the Roberts Court

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National Constitution Center @constitutionctr.bsky.social · 6d

Every year, #SCOTUS starts its new term on the first Monday in October, an annual event dating back to 1917.

Marcia Coyle previews significant cases the Court will hear during the 2025-2026 term for #ConstitutionDaily:

President Donald Trump’s legal battles will dominate the new term of the U.S. Supreme Court even as the justices once again wade into culture war issues such as gun regulations, LGBTQ rights, and money in elections.

Why the Supreme Court starts on the first Monday in October

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National Constitution Center @constitutionctr.bsky.social · 6d

Every year, #SCOTUS starts its new term on the first Monday in October, an annual event dating back to 1917.

Learn what happens on the first day back for the justices:

Each year, the Supreme Court starts its new term on the first Monday of the month of October, an annual event that goes back to 1917. Why is that day so special and when did the Justices start their annual sessions before then?

Chester Alan Arthur: Obscure or underrated?

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National Constitution Center @constitutionctr.bsky.social · 7d

One of the more obscure presidents in American history, Chester Alan Arthur, is born #OnThisDay in 1829.

After assuming the presidency, Arthur set his own independent course for his remaining three years in office.

If you are a presidential historian or a fan of facial hair, you probably know a little about Chester Alan Arthur. For the rest of us, he’s one of the more obscure leaders in American history.

Rutherford B. Hayes: Controversial and little remembered

National Constitution Center @constitutionctr.bsky.social · 8d

#OnThisDay in 1822, one of the most controversial presidents, Rutherford B. Hayes, who took office amid a constitutional crisis, is born.

Learn more about Hayes’ legacy with #ConstitutionDaily:

Today marks the birthday of the one of the most controversial U.S. presidents, Rutherford B. Hayes, who took office amid a constitutional crisis and left office defending his reputation.

Remarks on Taxation (1909)

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National Constitution Center @constitutionctr.bsky.social · 10d

#OnThisDay in 1871, Secretary Cordell Hull is born. Hull’s constitutional arguments on taxation still echo in modern-day debates around taxing the nation’s wealthy.

National Constitution Center Historic Documents Library record for Remarks on Taxation (1909)

10 fascinating facts about former President Jimmy Carter

National Constitution Center @constitutionctr.bsky.social · 11d

Today we remember former President Jimmy Carter, born #OnThisDay in 1924.

Explore his legacy with 10 fascinating facts about his life:

Today we remember former President Jimmy Carter. The Georgia native was certainly unique in comparison with other Presidents.

The 19th Amendment: Women Win the Vote (1917-1920) - Google Arts & Culture

National Constitution Center @constitutionctr.bsky.social · 11d

#OnThisDay in 1918, President Woodrow Wilson gives a speech to Congress in support of a constitutional amendment granting women the right to vote. Visit our online exhibit learn about the efforts that led to this moment:

This online exhibit—the final part in a three-part series—mirrors the third section of the National Constitution Center’s exhibit, “The 19th Amendment: How Women Won the Vote.”

How the Supreme Court ruled on press censorship cases after World War I

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National Constitution Center @constitutionctr.bsky.social · 12d

How did #SCOTUS rule on press censorship cases after World War I? #ConstitutionDaily unpacks controversies from that era that eventually expanded free speech.

Read now:

In a three-part series, Constitution Daily looks at a series of landmark cases that have defined First Amendment rights and free speech for the press. In part two, we review how controversies from the World War I era and its aftermath shaped laws that eventually expanded free speech.

On this day: Congress officially creates the U.S. Army

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National Constitution Center @constitutionctr.bsky.social · 12d

Today is #NationalPodcastDay! 🎙️🎧 Celebrate by tuning in for @ConstitutionCtr’s three podcasts: #WeThePeoplePodcast, #PursuitPodcast, and #LiveAtTheNCC.

Learn more: ow.ly/iS9J50X4o8i

National Constitution Center @constitutionctr.bsky.social · 13d

#OnThisDay in 1789, President George Washington succeeds in getting the First Congress to recognize the U.S. Army under the terms of the new Constitution.

Read #ConstitutionDaily to learn more:

To some it seemed like a technicality, but on this day in 1789, President George Washington succeeded in getting the First Congress to recognize the U.S. Army under the terms of our new Constitution.

The Struggle for Human Rights (1948)

National Constitution Center @constitutionctr.bsky.social · 14d

#OnThisDay in 1948, Eleanor Roosevelt, who redefined the role of First Lady, delivers a speech in support of the Declaration of Human Rights, connecting human rights to America’s constitutional tradition.

Read an excerpt in the #FoundersLibrary:

National Constitution Center Historic Documents Library record for The Struggle for Human Rights (1948)

On this day, the Confederation Congress agrees to a new Constitution

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National Constitution Center @constitutionctr.bsky.social · 14d

#OnThisDay in 1787, the congress under our first constitution, the Articles of Confederation, agrees to submit a new #Constitution to the states, an act that would render that legislative body obsolete.

On September 28, 1787, the congress under our first constitution, the Articles of Confederation, agreed to submit a new Constitution to the states, an act that would render that legislative body obsolete.

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

National Constitution Center @constitutionctr.bsky.social · 16d

On #PursuitPodcast, Lindsay M. Chervinsky talks about John Adams’ critique of oligarchy with Jeffrey Rosen.

Watch and listen to #PursuitPodcast:

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

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National Constitution Center @constitutionctr.bsky.social · 16d

#OnThisDay in 1789, George Washington appoints Thomas Jefferson as the first U.S. Secretary of State.

Learn more about the first Secretary of State and third U.S. president from this past episode of #AmericasTownHall:

- YouTube

American Treasures: Documenting the Nation's Founding - Google Arts & Culture

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National Constitution Center @constitutionctr.bsky.social · 17d

#OnThisDay in 1789, Congress passes amendments that will become the Bill of Rights. Explore how the first 10 amendments became a part of the U.S. Constitution on our online exhibit:

Explore rare documents that trace the drafting and ratification of the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

On this day, Congress proposes the Bill of Rights to the states

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National Constitution Center @constitutionctr.bsky.social · 17d

#OnThisDay in 1789, the First Congress makes a highly anticipated move in arguably the most important congressional session in history, when it agrees on a list of constitutional amendments known as the #BillOfRights.

On September 25, 1789, the First Congress made a highly-anticipated move in arguably the most important congressional session in history, when it agreed on a list of constitutional amendments known as the Bill of Rights.

A look at early landmark free press censorship cases

National Constitution Center @constitutionctr.bsky.social · 18d

In a new three-part series, #ConstitutionDaily recaps landmark cases that have defined free speech rights in the press and popular media, from the Colonial era until today. Part one covers controversies from the founding until the Civil War’s end.

Read now:

In the first part of a three-part series, <i>Constitution Daily</i> looks at a series of landmark cases that have defined free speech rights in the press and popular media, from the Colonial era until today. In part one, we look at controversies from the founding until the Civil War’s end.

The Man Who Made the Supreme Court

National Constitution Center @constitutionctr.bsky.social · 18d

#OnThisDay is 1755, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, John Marshall, is born in Germantown, VA.

Listen to a conversation with Marshall’s biographer, Richard Brookhiser, discussing Marshall’s legacy:

Podcast for The Man Who Made the Supreme Court from the National Constitution Center

The Emancipation Proclamation’s other anniversary

National Constitution Center @constitutionctr.bsky.social · 19d

#OnThisDay in 1862, in what became known as the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation, President Abraham Lincoln publicly states that if Confederate states didn’t return to the Union by January 1, 1863, slaves in those territories would be freed.

President Abraham Lincoln altered the course of the Civil War and American society when the Emancipation Proclamation was issued in 1863. But the Proclamation had its roots in a key announcement made on September 22, 1862.

National Constitution Center @constitutionctr.bsky.social · 20d

#SCOTUS Justice Amy Coney Barrett reflects on the importance of disagreeing with ideas rather than people and the ability of the #USConstitution to be amended.

Listen to #WeThePeoplePodcast: ow.ly/Gt0Z50WZyuE

National Constitution Center @constitutionctr.bsky.social · 21d

We've convened leading scholars to examine Article V of the Constitution—the mechanism for amending our nation’s founding charter.

Explore the project, featuring essays by Michael Rappaport, Stephen Sachs, Gerary Magliocca & Sanford Levinson: ow.ly/aG3550WZzmA