| At RealClear’s American Civics portal, we celebrated the 234th anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Constitution on Sept. 17 by highlighting a number of pieces, podcasts, and lectures that discuss that foundational charter of American freedom. The members of the 1776 Commission issued a statement, arguing, “The Constitution paved the way for the liberation of many millions, in the United States and around the world, from the shackles of poverty, despotism, and slavery.” They note that though “powerful forces today are seeking to smear America’s founding as essentially unjust for preserving slavery,” it was only “through the provisions of the Constitution – informed by the principles of the Declaration – that slavery in our nation was eradicated.” Wilfred McClay delivered a notable speech for the 10th annual Walter Berns Constitution Day Lecture at the American Enterprise Institute. McClay argued that the Constitution is the cornerstone of our national life, not only serving as the blueprint for American government but also providing a safe path forward for our country in times of national strife. In an excerpt from her new book, “Debunking the 1619 Project: Exposing the Plan to Divide America,” Mary Grabar brings attention to Abraham Lincoln’s views and actions in regards to slavery. Contrary to the claims of the 1619 Project’s Nikole Hannah-Jones that Lincoln did not believe in black equality, she notes that in a series of debates with Sen. Stephen A. Douglas in 1858, Lincoln “made politic concessions to the racial prejudice of his day. But he refused to budge an inch on the fundamental rights of blacks.” As Lincoln then explained, “in the right to eat the bread, without leave of anybody else, which his own hand earns, he is my equal and the equal of Judge Douglas, and the equal of every living man.” Continuing our ongoing civic institutions series, Mike Sabo explores 1776 Unites’s curriculum, which “offers authentic, motivating stories from American history that show what is best in our national character and what our freedom makes possible even in the most difficult circumstances.” At RealClearPolicy, Shawn P. Healy, the Senior Director of Policy and Advocacy for the CivXNow Coalition, a project of iCivics, highlights its inaugural Policy Summit on September 21-22nd. The virtual summit will update attendees on the “progress on both state and federal civic education” policy and the lay “groundwork . . . for further action in state sessions this fall and next spring.” Original Posts The 1776 Commission, RealClearPublicAffairs Sept. 17th is a day of celebration and pride.Two hundred and thirty-four years ago on this date, 39 delegates from throughout... Mike Sabo, RealClearWire Samuel J. Abrams, RealClearPublicAffairs Essential Reading Mary Grabar, RealClearPublicAffairs Within the context of the events taking place during his lifetime, Thomas Jefferson comes off as the prudent voice of reason and... In the News President Joe Biden Christopher Kendall, RealClearPublicAffairs Doug DeVos, The Hill Dan McLaughlin, National Review Wilfred M. McClay, Law & Liberty Adam Freedman, City Journal Karole Fedrick, National Association of Scholars Gary J. Schmitt, Inside Sources David E. Nahmias, Atlanta Journal-Constitution Larry Cothren, Independent Tribune John Malcolm & Angela Sailor, Washington Times David Kindy, Smithsonian Magazine Mike Huckabee, Newsweek Nathan W. Schlueter, Law & Liberty Peter Boghossian, National Association of Scholars Wilfred M. McClay, AEI In times of crisis, the Constitution acts as an anchor for our national life and a vital source of authority. On the 234th anniversary... Chris Flannery, American Story September 17th is Constitution Day in America because on that day in 1787, after 4 months of deliberations, the delegate... BRI Homework Help Why did the Founders see the need to create a Bill of Rights? What historical documents and events influenced them as they drafted... Peter Berkowitz, PolicyEd When writing the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson included the principle that everyone has certain unalienable rights... David Heidler, Robert Merry, John Pinheiro, & Michael Scott Van Wagenen, National Association of Scholars In 1845, the United States annexed Texas, a territory that rebelled against Mexico nine years earlier. The annexation of Mexican-claimed... Charles C.W. Cooke, Jennifer Selin, & Jeffrey Rosen, We the People Legal battles over masks in schools are being fought across the country—in states including Arkansas, California, Florida, Kentucky, Carl Cannon's Great American Stories "One hundred years ago today, the Helena Independent, a newspaper in Montana's capital city, ran a foreboding article. An influenza ... Good morning, it's Friday, Sept. 17, 2021, the day of the week I pass along quotations intended to be inspirational ... Six years ago today, a large field of Republican presidential contenders met in Southern California for a debate. It was ... | 