Press/Journalists

The National Archives Celebrates Constitution Day September 17
Press Release · Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Washington, DC

The National Archives celebrates the 222nd anniversary of the signing of the United States Constitution on Thursday, September 17, 2009 at 7 p.m. with a special panel discussion focusing on constitutional issues of the next decade. The program is free and open to the public and will be held in the William G. McGowan Theater of the National Archives Building, which is fully accessible.

The National Archives has the original Constitution on permanent display in the Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom of the National Archives Building, located on Constitution Avenue between 7th and 9th Streets, NW, Washington, DC.

What will the Constitution look like over the next decade? What are the issues that will arise, and how should they be handled? Four Yale Law School scholars will discuss constitutional issues of the future, including the challenge of new technologies, Presidential power, voting, economic rights, and freedom of speech. Moderated by Linda Greenhouse, Distinguished Journalist-in-Residence and Senior Fellow in Law, the panel includes professors of law Jack M. Balkin and Reva B. Siegel, co-editors of The Constitution in 2020, and Robert C. Post, dean of Yale Law School. A book signing of The Constitution in 2020 will follow the program.

For more information on National Archives programs, the public should call the Public Programs Line at: (202) 357-5000, or view the Calendar of Events online.

Related programs and exhibits at the National Archives:

A New World Is at Hand

Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom
Flanking the permanent display of the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights is the exhibition, “A New World Is at Hand.” Featuring a selection of the National Archives’ most treasured documents, this exhibition reveals the drama, passion, and poignancy of the struggle for freedom that has defined much of U.S. history.

The Public Vaults

This permanent interactive exhibition – literally located behind the wall of the display of the Constitution – is organized according to the preamble to the U.S. Constitution. The Public Vaults creates the feeling of going into the stacks and vaults of the National Archives, and offers visitors a “hands on” examination of the workings of the three branches of government, as outlined in the Constitution.

Exhibition Hours and Contact Information:

Exhibit Hall hours are 10 a.m.–7 p.m. daily, through September 7.  Beginning Tuesday, September 8, Exhibit Hall hours are 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m. daily, but closed on Thanksgiving Day and December 25.

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For Press information, contact the National Archives Public Affairs Staff at (202) 357-5300.

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