The Constitution and American Unity, with Yuval Levin

At a time when Americans seem more divided than ever, author Yuval Levin offers a compelling argument for how we can rebuild a shared national identity. Levin, the director of Social, Cultural, and Constitutional Studies at the American Enterprise Institute, joined the O’Connor Institute to discuss his latest book, American Covenant, which examines the Constitutional foundations…

The 18th Amendment: America’s Experiment with Prohibition

The 18th Amendment to the United States Constitution, ratified on January 16, 1919, marked the beginning of Prohibition, a nationwide ban on the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcoholic beverages. This amendment, along with the Volstead Act, which provided the legal framework for enforcement, represented one of the most ambitious and controversial social experiments in…

Alaska Becomes the 49th State: A Milestone in American History

On January 3, 1959, Alaska officially became the 49th state of the United States, marking the culmination of a long journey from a remote territory to statehood. Known as “The Last Frontier,” Alaska’s statehood was transformative for the U.S., symbolizing growth and a broader inclusion of its territories. The Path to Statehood Alaska’s history with…

Joseph Hayne Rainey: A Trailblazing Figure in American Politics

Joseph Hayne Rainey, born in 1832 in Georgetown, South Carolina, holds a significant place in American history as the first African American to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives. His life and career reflect the turbulent yet transformative era of Reconstruction, a period in which African Americans sought to assert their rights and reshape…

October 2, 1967: Thurgood Marshall’s Supreme Court Legacy Begins

On October 2, 1967, Thurgood Marshall made history by becoming the first African American Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court. His appointment by President Lyndon B. Johnson was a significant milestone in the nation’s ongoing struggle for racial equality. Marshall’s long career as a civil rights attorney, combined with his profound influence on…

What’s the Deal with the Electoral College?

Perhaps no extant product of the U.S. Constitution has received more bipartisan animus than the Electoral College. Since 1800 there have been more than 700 proposals introduced in Congress to amend or eliminate the way in which America chooses its presidents. Yet the Electoral College lives on. Why do we have this system? Why does…

Ratification of the 19th Amendment

The United States Constitution’s 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote, was ratified in 1920, marking an important turning point in American history. According to the amendment, “The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account…

Compromises in the Creation of the U.S. Constitution

The United States Constitution was created through a series of compromises among the delegates to the Constitutional Convention of 1787. The delegates, representing 12 of the 13 original states, met in Philadelphia to revise the Articles of Confederation, which had been the governing document of the United States since the American Revolution. However, the delegates…

How did the US Constitution Come About and Why Did it Succeed?

After the failed national response to Shays Rebellion, members of the unicameral congress realized that the Articles of Confederation needed to be amended. The Constitutional Convention was a gathering of delegates from 12 of the 13 colonies (except Rhode Island) in Philadelphia in the summer of 1787. The delegates were there to discuss the problems…