Happy Hour: “From English Rights to American Constitutions:  Americans Transcribe Their Values and Aspirations in State Constitutions.” with A. E. Dick Howard (National Event)

The Charlottesville Branch will again host the Nation-wide ESU Happy Hour Podcast. The Branch is honored to have one of its own, internationally renowned Constitutional Law Professor Emeritus, A. E. Dick Howard, will speak to, in this America’s semi-quincentennial commemoration, this most relevant topic, “From English Rights to American Constitutions:  Americans Transcribe Their Values and Aspirations in State Constitutions.”  Professor Howard writes the following…

Americans invoke English rights in their complaints about British policies.  A leading example: the 1765 resolutions of the Continental Congress. Americans declare independence.  The several states immediately begin drafting declarations of rights and frames of government.  The most important example is the Virginia Declaration of Rights and frame of government, their principal architect being George Mason.  A period of experimentation in the drafting of state constitutions ensues – a period serving as an important backdrop to the drafting of the Federal Constitution in 1787. In the ensuing two and a half centuries, state constitutions have been rewritten or amended, reflecting the great social, economic, and political moments in American history.                        

The weblink for this broadcast will be sent out by National 2-3 weeks prior. Registration is free and the link may be sent to others, non-members, to register.