With the writing of the Constitution in 1787, the framers set out a young nation’s highest ideals. And ever since, we’ve been fighting over it — what is in it and what was left out. At the heart of these arguments is the story of America.
As a follow-up to the popular Washington Post podcast “Presidential,” reporter Lillian Cunningham returns with this series exploring the Constitution and the people who framed and reframed it — revolutionaries, abolitionists, suffragists, teetotalers, protesters, justices, presidents – in the ongoing struggle to form a more perfect union across a vast and diverse land.
21 Available Episodes (21 Total)Average duration: 00:39:22
Apr 27, 2022
Introducing "Broken Doors"
00:04:23
No-knock warrants allow police to force their way into people’s homes without warning. What happens when this aggressive police tactic becomes the rule, rather than the exception?
"Broken Doors" is a new investigative podcast series from the Washington Post about how no-knock warrants are deployed in the American justice system - and the consequences for communities when accountability is flawed at every level. Hosted by Jenn Abelson and Nicole Dungca.
Jul 19, 2019
Introducing Moonrise
00:04:55
Host Lillian Cunningham's next podcast explores the real story of why we went to the moon -- a darker, but truer story than the one you've heard before. Listen to this trailer, and subscribe on your favorite podcast app or at washingtonpost.com/moonrise.
Feb 12, 2018
Ourselves and our posterity
00:54:30
In the "Constitutional" finale, we address listener questions about the history--and future--of the nation's governing document.
Jan 29, 2018
The First Amendment
00:52:05
Why do First Amendment rights trump nearly every other right in America? Thank Jehovah's Witnesses.
Jan 15, 2018
Privacy
00:45:12
How should the Constitution's privacy protections be translated for a new era? This is a question before the Supreme Court today, but it was also a question that captivated a justice appointed to the Supreme Court 100 years ago — Louis Brandeis.
Jan 01, 2018
Prohibition
00:53:02
The passage and then repeal of the 18th Amendment, banning alcohol in America, highlighted the pitfalls of trying to legislate against vice.
Dec 18, 2017
Taxes
00:42:04
Congress today faces the same question it faced a century ago when creating the modern tax system: What kind of society should America be?
Dec 04, 2017
The common defense
00:49:29
One intention the framers had when creating the U.S. Constitution was to “provide for the common defense.” But who shoulders that duty has not always been so clear.
Nov 20, 2017
War
00:41:15
What was the original point of the Second Amendment? We examine its colonial and revolutionary roots—plus its quiet companion, the Third Amendment—with renowned American history scholar Gordon Wood.
Nov 06, 2017
Love
00:38:42
The words "marriage" and "love" appear nowhere in the U.S. Constitution. Yet 50 years ago, the Supreme Court issued a decision that would embed those concepts in the heart of the document itself.
Apr 27 | 00:04:23
Introducing "Broken Doors"
Jul 19 | 00:04:55
Introducing Moonrise
Feb 12 | 00:54:30
Ourselves and our posterity
Jan 29 | 00:52:05
The First Amendment
Jan 15 | 00:45:12
Privacy
Jan 01 | 00:53:02
Prohibition
Dec 18 | 00:42:04
Taxes
Dec 04 | 00:49:29
The common defense
Nov 20 | 00:41:15
War
Nov 06 | 00:38:42
Love
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