Our country is now celebrating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.  Everyone understands the urge to place special emphasis on anniversaries that are even multiples of ten, but July 4, 1776, was neither the beginning of the American revolution nor its end.  Arguably a more important date in our nation’s history was September 17, 1787, two hundred thirty-nine years ago – sadly, a prime number! – when the Constitution under which our country still operates was signed in Philadelphia and submitted to the thirteen states for ratification.

This lecture will inquire into the nature of a “constitution” in general, describe some of the intellectual, historical, and political currents that shaped the document produced by the Constitutional Convention in the summer of 1787, ask which of its features have proved especially valuable, and discuss whether some others might profit from reconsideration or amendment.