Jill Lepore with Jenn White: We The People
  • Archived
Robert R. McCormick Foundation Program

Jill Lepore with Jenn White: We The People

A new history of the U.S. Constitution for a troubling new era

Event Information

This event is on sale to members Tuesday, July 22 at 10am CT.

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General Public tickets go on sale Thursday, July 24 at 10am CT.

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  • Open Captions
  • Assistive Listening Devices
  • Sign Language

About the Event:

At a time when many Americans believe the U.S. Constitution to be under threat — but disagree about the nature of that threat — bestselling author and Harvard professor Jill Lepore asks: Can this Constitution be saved? In We the People, her new history of the Constitution, Lepore argues that the Framers never intended for the Constitution to remain untouched, but rather expected that future generations would be forever tinkering with it and improving the machinery of government. Lepore examines the history of our Constitution, as written, as amended and unchanged, and as interpreted and misinterpreted. Are Americans trapped, enthralled, by a Constitution that no longer works? “We must disenthrall ourselves, and then we shall save our country,” Lincoln said, in the midst of the Civil War. What would it mean for Americans to disenthrall themselves today?


This program is generously underwritten by the Robert R. McCormick Foundation.

  • Chicago Humanities is pleased to partner with Chicago’s Seminary Co-op Bookstores, the country’s first not-for-profit bookstore. 
  • Pre-order We the People through the Chicago Humanities Box Office and save up to 20% while supporting local, independent bookselling. Add books to your cart when adding tickets. Your receipt will contain a book voucher, which you show to the bookseller on-site to pick up your book(s).
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Jill Lepore

Jill Lepore

Jill Lepore is the David Woods Kemper ’41 Professor of American History at Harvard University and Professor of Law at...

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Jenn White

Jenn White

An award-winning journalist and podcast host, Jenn White has worked in public radio since 1999. She joined WAMU and N...

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