To commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, AALS and organizers at Harvard Law School present five webinars on foundational themes explored in the book America Unfinished: 250 Years of Law and Governance (MIT Press, 2026). Edited by Alexandra Natapoff (Lee S. Kreindler Professor of Law) and Guy-Uriel Charles (Charles Ogletree, Jr. Professor of Law), the book assembles short essays from over 60 members of the Harvard Law School faculty, written from the perspectives of their many diverse fields, analyzing the issues facing our country’s bold experiment in democratic governance at this important milestone in American history.
Please note these programs will not be recorded.
Next Webinar: Citizenship, Identity and Race
November 4, 2026 | 1 – 2 PM Eastern/10 – 11 AM Pacific
Featuring Annette Gordon-Reed
American democracy has always been inextricably intertwined with questions of citizenship and belonging. This webinar is inspired by Annette Gordon-Reed’s essay “Making Americans: A History,” in which she charts the persistently warring visions of America: one based on ideals, the other based on blood and heritage. Webinar participants will explore the historic and legal trajectory of American identity, the current resurgence of “blood and soil” rhetoric, and the implications for the future of citizenship and equality in America.
Moderator
Jeremiah Chin, Chair of the Section on Civil Rights, University of Washington School of Law
Speakers
Annette Gordon-Reed, Harvard Law School
Jamal Greene, Columbia Law School