Celebrating Constitution Day at Rockefeller Center

Today marks Constitution Day, a celebration of one of the most significant moments in American history—the ratification of the U.S. Constitution on September 17, 1787. This pivotal day, when delegates of the Constitutional Convention gathered to sign the groundbreaking document they created, is often regarded as the birthday of the U.S. government.

In honor of Constitution Day, Rockefeller Center continues its tradition of hosting distinguished speakers who provide thought-provoking insights into the Constitution's ongoing relevance. Past speakers have included renowned historians and legal scholars such as:

• William Hitchcock, James Madison Professor of History at the University of Virginia, with his talk: "Don't Join the Book Burners: Eisenhower at Dartmouth '53"
• Judge Laurence Silberman, Senior Circuit Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, who presented: "Free Political Speech Under Threat: Eisenhower Would Be Ashamed"
• Sonu Bedi, Joel Parker 1811 Professor of Law and Political Science at Dartmouth College, discussing: "The Science of the Constitution: The Supreme Court and a Practice of Disagreement."

This year, we are honored to welcome civil rights lawyer and former President and Director-Counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, Sherrilyn Ifill, as our featured speaker. Ifill will deliver an inspiring lecture titled "Reimagining a New American Democracy, Racial Equity, and the Constitution." This timely talk will explore the intersection of constitutional principles and racial equity as we envision a more inclusive democracy.

Event Details:

• Date: Tuesday, September 24, 2024
• Time: 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
• Location: Filene Auditorium
• Registration Link: http://dartgo.org/24Ifill
• Livestream Link: http://dartgo.org/IfillLive

In addition to the speaker series, Rockefeller Center will be engaging students on Constitution Day (September 17, 2024) through our 2024 Election course. This special session will emphasize the critical role the Constitution plays in shaping and sustaining American democracy.

Join us for these important conversations as we reflect on the Constitution's past, present, and future. For more details, visit our Constitution Day Lecture page here.