As you know, federal law requires that all high schools, colleges and universities that receive federal funds hold an educational event about the Constitution on September 17. Annenberg Classroom has created classroom-ready digital resources to help schools celebrate Constitution Day.

Supreme Court Justices Stephen Breyer, Anthony Kennedy, and Sandra Day O’Connor speak with high school students from California and Pennsylvania about the importance of an independent judiciary. Taped in May 2006 at the Supreme Court, the Justices answer students’ questions and discuss the significance of the judiciary in the federal government and the ways in which independence is protected by the Constitution. Length 32 minutes     

A Conversation with Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr. on the Origin, Nature, and Importance of the Supreme Court

The establishment of a federal judiciary was a top priority for this nation’s founding fathers. In December 2006, Chief Justice of the United States John G. Roberts, Jr. and a group of high school students participated in a conversation about the high court—from its history and evolution to the methods Justices use in selecting and hearing cases, to the role of an independent judiciary and other issues crucial to a healthy democracy today. Length 37 minutes  

A Conversation on the Constitution with Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the Fourteenth Amendment

Incorporating three integral constitutional tenets -- due process, equal protection, and privileges and immunities -- the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution was originally intended to secure rights for former slaves, but over the years it has been expanded to protect all persons. In December 2006, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and a group of students gathered at the Supreme Court to discuss the importance of the 14th Amendment and how it came to embody and protect the principle of "We the People." Length 42 minutes

The Constitution Project assembled a panel of constitutional scholars and legals experts to discuss issues raised by the Justices in our videos.  Here, presented, are a number of excerpts from Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Chief Justice John G. Roberts, each followed by an analysis and commentary from the panel.  You can also choose to view just the commentary.

The Constitution Project: An Independent Judiciary

This film chronicles two key moments that defined our understanding of the role of the judiciary: the Cherokee Nation’s struggles before the Supreme Court in the 1830s to preserve its homeland, and Cooper v. Aaron, the 1958 Supreme Court case that affirmed that states were bound to follow the Court’s order to integrate their schools. An Independent Judiciary features Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer and some of the nation’s leading Constitutional scholars. Length 34 minutes

Justice Talking Radio Programs:

Justice Talking, an award-winning radio program from the University of Pennsylvania’s Annenberg Public Policy Center and NPR, has selected two of its programs for use on Constitution Day. These programs, hosted by NPR’s Margot Adler, will be available on CD, on-line at www.justicetalking.org, or can be downloaded for use on an MP3 player.

Does Free Speech Stop at the Schoolhouse Door?

addresses the Supreme Court case Morse v. Frederick, which asked whether school administrators can limit student speech both in school buildings and outside at school-sponsored events. Should a high school student have the right to hang a banner saying “Bong Hits 4 Jesus” without fear of disciplinary action or should the right of school authorities to preserve order or ensure a singular message on the use of drugs take precedence? Listen here

This radio program is supported by the Justice Learning Free Speech Module, where you’ll find an interactive timeline on the issue, related New York Times Learning Network articles and more.

The Death Penalty: Is Justice Being Served?

addresses a variety of controversial issues surrounding the death penalty, including the recent botched execution in Florida that raised the question of whether lethal injection violates the Eighth Amendment’s prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment. Listen here

This radio program is supported by the Justice Learning Death Penalty Module, where you’ll find an interactive timeline on the issue, related New York Times Learning Network articles and more.