Becoming America: How We Gained and Secured Freedom and Self-Government
An 18-part lecture series on the Constitution, freedom, and self-government, live-streamed from the Nixon Library.
Becoming America: How We Gained and Secured Freedom and Self-Government
Becoming America: How We Gained and Secured Freedom and Self Government is an eighteen-part lecture series delivered and live-streamed at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum. Hosted by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) and co-sponsored by the Center for Civics Education at Concordia University Irvine, the series covers the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, the Bill of Rights and remaining seventeen Amendments.
From British America to the United States of America
America’s story began more than 400 years ago with firm support from the King of England. Less than two centuries later, appeals to ancient English rights were actually used against English rule and a new country was born, free and independent. America’s story is your story, it is your inheritance.
| Date | Lecture | Time | Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tue, Sep 13, 2022 | “From London to Jamestown and the Roots of American Discontent”, Jo Ellen Chatham Ph. D. | 6:00PM | Watch Here |
| Tue, Sep 20, 2022 | “The Die is Cast: The Declaration of Independence”, Lisa Matthews | 6:00PM | Watch Here |
| Tue, Sep 27, 2022 | “The Articles of Confederation: Disunity in the Union”, Volker Janssen Ph. D. | 6:00PM | Watch Here |
| Tue, Oct 4, 2022 | “A New Constitution for a More Perfect Union”, Jo Ellen Chatham Ph. D. | 6:00PM | Watch Here |
| Tue, Oct 11, 2022 | “Ratifying the New Constitution: Why Did Patriot Pat Henry Oppose Ratification?”, Bryan Santin Ph. D. | 6:00PM | Watch Here |
| Tue, Oct 18, 2022 | “The First Congress: Inventing a New Government”, Jo Ellen Chatham Ph. D. | 6:00PM | Watch Here |
A More Perfect Union: The Constitution of the United States
The Constitution is more than a symbol, it is “the Supreme Law of the Land!” It puts “We the People” in charge. That’s us! Are you prepared to play your part?
| Date | Lecture | Time | Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tue, Nov 1, 2022 | “The Constitution is the Supreme Law of the Land…Until it Isn’t”, Lisa Matthews | 6:00PM | Watch Here |
| Tue, Nov 8, 2022 | “Congress: The ‘First Branch’ of Government”, Jo Ellen Chatham Ph. D. | 6:00PM | Watch Here |
| Tue, Nov 15, 2022 | “Congress: It Can Do This, But Not That!”, Jo Ellen Chatham Ph. D. | 6:00PM | Watch Here |
| Tue, Nov 22, 2022 | “The Presidency…and the President”, Robert Robinson Ph. D. | 6:00PM | Watch Here |
| Tue, Nov 29, 2022 | “The President and All the President’s Men”, Bryan Santin Ph. D. | 6:00PM | Watch Here |
| Tue, Dec 6, 2022 | “The Judges and the Constitution: Do They Really Have the Last Word?”, Volker Janssen Ph. D. | 6:00PM | Watch Here |
The Bill of Rights and Guarantees of Liberty
More than 11,500 amendments to the Constitution have been proposed, but only twenty-seven have been ratified. One was even rescinded! But they protect your freedoms of speech and religion, trial by a jury, voting rights and even how we elect the President. If they changed the Constitution, you need to know why.
| Date | Lecture | Time | Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tue, Jan 17, 2023 | “No Bill of Rights, No Constitution! Did It Matter?”, Jo Ellen Chatham Ph. D. | 6:00PM | Watch Here |
| Tue, Jan 24, 2023 | “The First Amendment: Our Freedoms to Speak, Assemble, Print and Petition the Government”, Robert Robinson Ph. D. | 6:00PM | Watch Here |
| Tue, Jan 31, 2023 | “The First Amendment: Our Freedom to Worship, or Not”, Bryan Santin Ph. D. | 6:00PM | Watch Here |
| Tue, Feb 7, 2023 | “A Bunch of Other Amendments, But They Count!”, Jo Ellen Chatham Ph. D. | 6:00PM | Watch Here |
| Tue, Feb 21, 2023 | “At Long Last and Great Sacrifice: The Civil War Amendments”, Volker Janssen Ph. D. | 6:00PM | Watch Here |
| Tue, Feb 28, 2023 | “Amendment Mania: Expansion of Rights (and One Repeal!)”, Jo Ellen Chatham Ph. D. | 6:00PM | Watch Here |
“A Bunch of Other Amendments, But They Count!”
Jo Ellen Chatham Ph. D. covers:
- Bearing Arms
- Quartering Soldiers
- Unreasonable Searches and Seizures
- Protections in Trials
- More Protections in Trials
- Even More Protections in Trials
Get in Touch
For more information about the Center for Civics Education, please contact the Director.
Center for Civics Education
Dr. Jo Ellen Chatham
Director, Center for Civics Education
Phone: 949-214-3200
Email: [email protected]