Elizabeth M. Reese, author of “Marquis de Lafayette Returns: A Tour of America’s National Capital Region”, examines how Lafayette’s tour anticipated the nation’s 50th birthday and shaped American identity. 

Over the course of 57 years, Myra Clark Gaines of Louisiana brought 17 different cases before the Supreme Court trying to win her rightful inheritance. Learn more about the extraordinary twists and turns of this long legal battle.

On March 31, 1776, Abigail Adams wrote her husband John Adams a letter in which she famously said, "Remember the ladies." 250 years later, we take her advice. As we celebrate the anniversary of the nation, we will discuss the many contributions of women to the Revolution, including women depicted in John Trumbull's paintings in the Rotunda.

Pierre L'Enfant had a vision for the nation's capital city, but his plans remained unfinished until the 20th century. Learn more about how Senator James McMillan and the Senate Park Commission beautified Washington for a new century.

In 1880, Belva Lockwood became the first woman to argue a case before the Supreme Court, then meeting in the U.S. Capitol. Join us to learn more about her pioneering path towards women's equality, cases and cause she championed, and the role of Congress in allowing women to be accepted into the Supreme Court Bar Association.

Watch descendants of Frederick Douglass read excerpts of his famous speech. No reservations necessary. Please join us!