Explore our Constitution Day Resources and get access to our Live YouTube Show

This mini documentary tells the story of the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, where delegates debated fiercely over representation, executive power, and the protection of liberty. From the Virginia and New Jersey Plans to the Great Compromise and the creation of the presidency, discover how disagreement, debate, and compromise produced a Constitution built on natural rights, popular sovereignty, and the promise of limited government.

In this episode of Civics on the Street, Professor Matthew Green of the Catholic University of America answers real questions from students about the U.S. Constitution. From why it was written to the compromises made at the Constitutional Convention, the structure of government, the protection of rights, and the role of the Supreme Court. As part of our Constitution Day Live programming, celebrating “Democracy in Your Backyard”, this video dives into why the Constitution was written, the compromises that made it possible, and how its structure continues to shape our government.

In this episode of Primary Source Essentials, explore the constitutional amendment process and its connection to the founding principle of popular sovereignty. Learn how the framers designed Article V to balance stability with the ability to adapt, requiring broad consensus for change. Discover how amendments have shaped American history, from the Bill of Rights to the abolition of slavery, the expansion of voting rights, and limits on presidential terms. Understand why the framers made amending the Constitution difficult, how it ensures careful deliberation, and how “we the people” continue to exercise ultimate authority in shaping the nation’s fundamental law.

Democracy in Action explores how the Constitution has guided Americans from its writing in 1787 to pivotal moments in history. From the Supreme Court’s decision in Brown v. Board of Education to Elizabeth Eckford’s courageous walk as part of the Little Rock Nine, this story highlights how individuals have lived out the Constitution’s principles of equality and justice.

What does it mean to be a civic leader in your own community? In this story, four friends see a problem in their neighborhood and realize they can take action to help. By working together, they show how responsibility, good judgment, and cooperation can make their streets safer for everyone.

How do state governments, federal power, and the courts shape our constitutional rights? In this Constitution Day conversation, Bill of Rights Institute’s Kirk Higgins sits down with Anastasia Boden, Senior Attorney at the Pacific Legal Foundation, to discuss federalism, individual liberty, and the critical role of the judiciary in protecting our rights.

How is the U.S. Constitution structured? In the newest episode of our Close Reads: Explained series, Kirk tackles the Constitution and explains its biggest concepts to you. What does the Constitution of the United States teach us about the government it defines?

In this episode of Primary Source Essentials, explore the constitutional amendment process and its connection to the founding principle of popular sovereignty. Learn how the framers designed Article V to balance stability with the ability to adapt, requiring broad consensus for change. Discover how amendments have shaped American history, from the Bill of Rights to the abolition of slavery, the expansion of voting rights, and limits on presidential terms. Understand why the framers made amending the Constitution difficult, how it ensures careful deliberation, and how “we the people” continue to exercise ultimate authority in shaping the nation’s fundamental law.

This mini documentary tells the story of the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, where delegates debated fiercely over representation, executive power, and the protection of liberty. From the Virginia and New Jersey Plans to the Great Compromise and the creation of the presidency, discover how disagreement, debate, and compromise produced a Constitution built on natural rights, popular sovereignty, and the promise of limited government.

In the uncertain years after the American Revolution, the fate of the new republic hung in the balance. The Constitution—signed in Philadelphia after months of intense debate—was not yet the law of the land. Across the states, fierce battles erupted over its ratification. Would liberty be preserved or lost to centralized power? Federalists and Anti-Federalists clashed in newspapers, statehouses, and convention halls. From the impassioned arguments of Patrick Henry and George Mason to the razor-thin victories in Virginia and New York, this mini documentary captures the intensity and stakes of one of the most consequential debates in American history.

The 1st amendment protects freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, freedom of religion, and freedom of the press

The 2nd amendment protects the right to legally bear arms and possess weapons for protection for citizens of the United States

The 3rd amendment protects citizens from quartering soldiers or military service members in times of war or peace without consent.

The 4th amendment protects citizens against unlawful and unreasonable search and seizures from the government

The 5th amendment protects citizens against self-incrimination or testifying against oneself in court through due process of law

The 6th amendment protects citizens as criminal defendants to have a right to a speedy and public trial with a lawyer and jury of peers

The 7th amendment protects citizens rights to a trial by jury for civil cases or non-criminal cases like trials against businesses

The 8th amendment protects citizens against excessive bail and fines and protects against cruel and unusual punishment

The 10th amendment lists all powers not delegated in the Constitution to the states and the people of the states

The 11th amendment protects states from being sued by citizens of another state and foreign individuals or people from other countries

The 12th amendment separates Electoral College votes for President and Vice President, forcing members to cast a vote for each office

The 13th amendment is the first Reconstruction amendment. It ended slavery in the United States except for a crime.

The 14th amendment is the second Reconstruction amendment establishing citizenship for all persons born or naturalized in the United States.

The 15th amendment is the third Reconstruction amendment. It establishes enfranchisement for African American men

In simple terns, the 16th amendment grants Congress the power to lay and collect taxes from the citizens and states of the United States

The 17th amendment limits the members of the Senate for each state to only allow two Senators per state or U.S. territory

The 18th amendment prohibited the manufacturing, sale, and transportation of alcohol in the Progressive Era

The 19th amendment granted women the right to vote. The amendment was passed in June 1919 and ratified in August 1920

The 20th amendment sets congressional and presidential terms as January 3rd and January 20th at the completion of a term limit

The 21st amendment repealed the 18th amendment and ended prohibition allowing the sale and consumption of alcohol in the United States

The 22nd amendment limited presidential terms to two terms after Franklin D. Roosevelt ran and was elected to four presidential terms

The 23rd amendment grants Washington D.C. electors and voting power in the Electoral College

The 24th amendment prohibits states from instituting a poll tax for citizens during voting in federal elections

The 25th amendment details the line of succession if a President dies, resigns, is removed from office, or is disabled.

The 26th amendment grants citizens aged eighteen and older the right to vote in federal, state, and local elections

The 27th amendment limits Congressional pay increases during a congressional term until after an election and a new congressional term