NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) will hold its 2026 Constitution Day Lecture on Thursday, Sept. 17, at 4 p.m., in Murdock Hall, Room 218.
The talk, "Debating Citizenship: A Historical Perspective on How the U.S. Has Defined Citizenship," is free and open to the public.
Dr. Ely Janis, professor of history at MCLA, will trace the contested history of American citizenship from the Naturalization Act of 1790 to the present, examining how immigration, race and national identity have shaped who counts as a citizen. The lecture will connect that history to current debates over immigration, birthright citizenship, and national belonging.
A question-and-answer session will follow.
Constitution Day was established as a federal holiday in 2004 and first celebrated in 2005, recognizing the signing of the U.S. Constitution on Sept. 17, 1787, in Philadelphia. The Constitution Day Lecture is made possible by MCLA’s Department of History and Political Science.
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Weekend Outlook: Get Outside This Holiday Weekend
iBerkshires Staff
Enjoy the peak of the fall season this weekend before the weather turns frosty!
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Mt. Greylock Ramble/RambleFest
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