The Declaration of Independence helped launch a nation grounded in powerful ideals: equality, liberty, and self-government. At the same time, it reflected contradictions and exclusions that continue to shape American democracy today.
Was the Declaration justified when it was written? And how should we understand it now?
Join the Committee of Seventy, in partnership with The Free Library Foundation, on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, for The Declaration on Trial, a live, courtroom-style civic education program marking the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Framed as a moderated debate, the program places history “on trial,” with students serving as the jury.
The debate will feature Akhil Reed Amar, a constitutional scholar and professor at Yale University, defending the Declaration of Independence, and Andrew Jackson O’Shaughnessy, a historian and professor at the University of Virginia, presenting a counterargument that considers whether the American colonies might have been better served remaining within the British Empire.
What to Expect
- Courtroom-Style Debate: A structured, moderated format with timed arguments and rebuttals
- Student-Centered Engagement: Students serve as the “jury,” asking questions and participating in a live vote; participating classrooms will receive class sets of books by both featured authors
- Big Civic Questions: A close examination of the Declaration’s ideals, contradictions, and lasting impact on American democracy
- Civil Discourse in Practice: A model for engaging with complex and contested ideas using evidence, critical thinking, and mutual respect
Event Details
- Date: Tuesday, April 21, 2026
- Time: 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. – Students will be invited to stay for a book signing immediately following the program
- Location: Parkway Central Branch, Free Library of Philadelphia
1901 Vine Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103 - Format: Live, in-person debate with student Q&A and interactive voting
This program is designed for high school audiences, educators, and civic learners interested in American history, constitutional principles, and democratic debate.