Email from National Constitution Center A timely lesson connecting headlines, history, and constitutional principles.   Constitution in the Headlines: The State of the Union Address The latest edition of Constitution in the Headlines helps educators connect a high-profile civic moment to enduring constitutional principles, including separation of powers, political norms, and Article II authority. This timely resource centers on a big constitutional question: Can Congress delay the president’s State of the Union address? Using a recent debate over the timing of the address, students explore what the Constitution requires, what it leaves undefined, and how tradition, procedure, and power shape one of the most visible events in American government. Students will explore the Declare War Clause, the president’s commander-in-chief authority, and competing scholarly perspectives from Michael Ramsey and Steve Vladeck on when presidential use of force may—or may not—violate the Constitution. What’s included: Headline story examining the constitutional foundations of the State of the Union and how the practice has evolved over time. Scholarly perspectives from William P. Marshall and Saikrishna B. Prakash on presidential power, agenda-setting, and information sharing with Congress. Article II, Section 3, with close reading of the president’s obligation to share information “from time to time.” Featured blog post from Constitution Daily asking whether the House can delay the State of the Union. Classroom activities that prompt discussion, debate, and creative engagement with constitutional texts and modern practice. Help your students see how the Constitution operates not just in theory, but in practice—through one of the most watched civic moments of the year. EXPLORE THE RESOURCE   Upcoming Professional Learning for Educators Explore Constitutional Thinking and Civic Virtue with NCC Scholars Join National Constitution Center scholars and educators for free, virtual interactive sessions that connect landmark Supreme Court cases, founding-era ideas, and classroom-ready strategies you can use right away. Constitutional Thinking Skills With Thin Slides Tuesday, January 27 | 7 p.m. ET Dive deep into Constitutional Thinking Skills using the Thin Slides NCC protocol. Using the landmark Supreme Court case, Tinker v. Des Moines Independent School District (1969), educators will synthesize the opinions of the case to enhance their understanding of the First Amendment. Register now Civic Virtue and the Founding Wednesday, January 28 | 6:30 p.m. ET Explore the concept of civic virtue as a foundational element of American constitutional democracy. This presentation will examine how early American thinkers understood civic virtue, why it was essential to the survival of the republic, and how ideas about civic responsibility, character, and participation have evolved over time. Through historical context and constitutional connections, participants will consider how civic virtue has shaped life in the U.S. Register now   Black History Month This February, honor Black History Month by exploring the central role Black Americans have played in shaping constitutional history—from the Revolution to Reconstruction and beyond. Students can extend their learning with America’s Founding, opening February 13 for America’s 250th, and Civil War & Reconstruction: The Battle for Freedom and Equality. Plan your visit to the Center today. Educators and students are also invited to join an upcoming America’s Town Hall program, The Declaration of Independence and the Push for Racial Equality, for a timely conversation connecting founding ideals to ongoing struggles for equality. 🗓️ The Declaration of Independence and the Push for Racial Equality Monday, February 2 | 1–2 p.m. ET Free, online In celebration of Black History Month, scholars Lucas Morel and Melvin Rogers join to discuss how African American leaders and citizens, such as Prince Hall, Frederick Douglass, Ida B. Wells, and Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. have invoked the ideas and principles of the Declaration of Independence throughout American history to push for a more free and equal America. Thomas Donnelly, chief scholar of the National Constitution Center, moderates.     Connect With Us Constitution 101 | Professional Learning | Virtual Student Programs | Events Calendar About the National Constitution Center’s Educational Resources The National Constitution Center provides K-12 curriculum, professional learning, and student programs that make constitutional education engaging and relevant. Learn more at: constitutioncenter.org/education. Update your email preferences by clicking the Update Profile link below to subscribe to other National Constitution Center newsletters and manage how often you hear from us.   National Constitution Center | Independence Mall, 525 Arch St | Philadelphia, PA 19106 US Unsubscribe | Update Profile | Our Privacy Policy | Constant Contact Data Notice