The Declaration’s Impact on American History, Law and the Constitution

250 years ago “the unanimous Declaration of the thirteen United States of America” announced separation from King George III, stating “we hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.” These truths — advocated by Americans including Elizabeth Cady Stanton (Seneca Falls, NY 1848), Frederick Douglas (Rochester, NY 1852), Abraham Lincoln (Gettysburg, PA 1863), and Martin Luther King, Jr. (“I Have a Dream” Speech, Washington, DC 1963) — have reverberated throughout our nation’s history, changing our laws and Constitution.

Professor Akhil Reed Amar’s brilliant scholarship includes extensive work on the Declaration’s impact, then and now. He is the author of numerous books, including two Constitutional histories, Born Equal (2025) and The Words that Made Us (2021).

This event is the first in a series on the Declaration of Independence. For information on the second program in the series being held on September 10, please click here.

Speaker:
Professor Akhil Reed Amar, Sterling Professor of Law and Political Science, Yale University

Moderator:
Harlan Levy, Foley Hoag

Sponsoring Committee:
Civic Education, Hon. Katharine Parker & Harlan Levy, Co-Chairs

Co-Sponsoring Committee:
Rule of Law Task Force, Susan J. Kohlmann, Chair