The United States Constitution was ratified in 1789; however, the document’s meaning has not always been clear. This is because many debates over constitutional interpretation were settled during the Constitutional Convention. Sometimes our nation’s founders did not agree on constitutional meaning. Other ties, the Constitution’s ambiguity comes from our country facing contemporary issues that the founders never would have imagined.
In this series of presentations on American Constitutional History, Dr. Francene Engel, Scholar for the Maryland Council for Civics and History Education, will explore major events in history that shaped the document’s meaning and affected the trajectory of our constitutional democracy. The first program will discuss the development of judicial review through the landmark Supreme Court case of Marbury v. Madison (1803). We also examine the evolution of the due process clauses of the 5th and 14th Amendments.
Joining Dr. Engel will be our guest moderator, Dr. Marcie Taylor-Thoma, Director of Maryland Council for Civic & History Education; State Coordinator of We the People and Project Citizen; Instructor at American University; Chair of Annapolis Friends of Lafayette, and Historic Annapolis Trustee.
Can’t watch live? All lectures will be recorded. Please register and you’ll receive the link to watch the recording after the event.
Cost: FREE