Sunnylands Seminars - The Judicial Branch

In the Summer of 1787, delegates to the Constitutional Convention gathered in Philadelphia to create a document that would establish the government of the United States. On September 17, that landmark document - our Constitution - was signed into law. This conversation on the Constitution, taped in 2005, is the first in a series produced by the Annenberg Foundation Trust at Sunnylands for use in classrooms on Constitution Day.

In the Summer of 1787, delegates to the Constitutional Convention gathered in Philadelphia to create a document that would establish the government of the United States. On September 17, that landmark document - our Constitution - was signed into law. This conversation on the Constitution, taped in 2005, is the first in a series produced by the Annenberg Foundation Trust at Sunnylands for use in classrooms on Constitution Day.

Three 20-minute videos examine key contitutional concepts. The first explains why the nation's farmers created the Constitution. The second describes the protection of individual rights by highlighting the Supreme Court case of Gideon v. Wainwright, affirming the right to an attorney. The last explores the separation of powers by examining the Supreme Court case of Youngstown v. Sawyer, a challenge to President Truman's decision to take over steel mills during the Korean War.

Justices Sandra Day O'Connor and Stephen Breyer discuss why we need a Constitution, federalism, separation of powers, and individual rights.

Justices Sandra Day O'Connor and Stephen Breyer discuss why we need a Constitution, federalism, separation of powers, and individual rights.

Justices Sandra Day O'Connor and Stephen Breyer discuss why we need a Constitution, federalism, separation of powers, and individual rights.

Justices Sandra Day O'Connor and Stephen Breyer discuss why we need a Constitution, federalism, separation of powers, and individual rights.