Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
While working at one of our sister newspapers years ago, I was excited to be sent to Virginia on an American Press Institute fellowship.
One of the best parts of my stay there was my introduction to the Freedom Forum, founded by Al Neuharth, who also founded USA TODAY, our flagship newspaper.
In its own words, the Freedom Forum’s mission is to serve as “one of the nation’s leading voices on the First Amendment and the five freedoms it protects. We strive to ensure that a diversity of voices and viewpoints are represented in our work.’’
The preamble to the Constitution is a prominent fixture at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia.
You don’t need me to tell you that we are living in a time where First Amendment rights are being tested frequently and debated hotly.
A nonpartisan nonprofit foundation, The Freedom Forum offers a wealth of information on its website for anyone wanting to learn more about these freedoms guaranteed under the U.S. Constitution as they make up their own minds about where they side in the biggest debates of 2025, from mass protests to school funding to which organizations will be included in the presidential press corps.
You don’t need to stop there to deepen your understanding.
The First Amendment exhibit was installed at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia in September 2023. The interactive display allows visitors to test their knowledge of their rights.
I recently paid a visit with my family to the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia and spent a lot of time exploring the First Amendment permanent installation there, which was unveiled in 2023. The exhibit offers guests an opportunity to check out 20 artifacts, which highlight the five freedoms outlined above.
“Combined, these items capture how these rights have been defended over time, and the lengths some have gone to in order to ensure their protection,’’ according to the museum.
If you go, expect to see publication of the classified “Pentagon Papers,’’ an artifact from the 1963 March on Washington, and much more.
More: Same-sex marriage amendment to Delaware’s constitution passes state Senate
Many displays are interactive, which means you can test yourself as you learn.
I was moved by much of what I took in during my three-hour visit to the museum, from the “We the People” live performance to an exhibit about women’s voting rights to the Founders Hall.
But as a lifelong journalist, the First Amendment exhibit moved me the most.
The National Constitution Center displays the front pages of daily newspapers. Here is The News Journal edition of April 12, 2025.
The day I was there – April 12 — that day’s copy of The News Journal hung prominently on the wall. It featured Gov. Matt Meyer offering his inaugural State of the State address.
If it’s been a while since you have spent time with actual print newspapers, this section will serve as a reminder of front-page designs’ impact throughout our country’s history.
Journalism is the only career protected by the First Amendment, but the freedoms outlined within it should matter to every American regardless of age, background, occupation, religion or political affiliation.
Our freedoms are precious. Many gave their lives in the fight to establish them. Many more have died in the fight to protect them.
It’s worth a few hours of your time to understand them more fully, and Fourth of July weekend seems as good a time as any to offer a reminder.
More: Why Delaware lawmakers are pushing to protect expanded voting rights in state constitution
You can read the U.S. Constitution in its entirety on the museum’s website.
If you visit the National Constitution Center soon and aim to go back, you can look forward to a new exhibit coming in 2026 focused on the Separation of Powers, another aspect of our form of government much in the news and hotly debated this year.
Tammy Paolino
The National Constitution Center is located at 525 Arch St., Philadelphia. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday to Sunday. Tickets are $18 for adults; $11 for seniors, students and veterans; free for active military members and children 5 and under.
Call (215) 409.6600 or visit constitutioncenter.org.
Inside the Newsroom is an opportunity for our news team to share a look behind the scenes of how we do our jobs and live our lives.
Tammy Paolino is New Audience Editor of Delaware Online/The News Journal. She can be reached at tpaolino@gannett.com
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: National Constitution Center offers a closer look at First Amendment