Ep 4. Built to Last?

In Constitution USA with Peter Sagal season 1 episode 4, titled "Built to Last," the host examines how the Constitution has been able to withstand the test of time. Sagal travels to Philadelphia to visit Independence Hall and the National Constitution Center, where he discusses the importance of the Constitution with experts, including Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Joseph Ellis. He also speaks with representatives from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) about the role the Constitution has played in protecting civil liberties.

Throughout the episode, Sagal looks at some of the challenges the Constitution has faced over the years, including debates over states' rights, the Civil War, and the suffrage movement. He also talks about some of the ways the Constitution has been amended to address changing social and political conditions, such as the addition of the Bill of Rights and the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote.

Sagal also examines some of the ways in which the Constitution has been interpreted over time, particularly when it comes to issues of civil liberties. He speaks with legal experts about landmark Supreme Court cases such as Roe v. Wade and the Heller decision, as well as some of the ongoing debates over issues like gun control and freedom of speech.

Throughout the episode, Sagal emphasizes the importance of the Constitution as a living document that must be constantly reinterpreted and adapted to new circumstances. He points out that while some may see the Constitution as a rigid set of rules that should never change, others view it as a flexible framework that must be able to respond to the needs of a rapidly changing world.

Ultimately, "Built to Last" is a thoughtful exploration of the enduring legacy of the Constitution and the many challenges it has faced throughout American history. With its combination of historical analysis and contemporary commentary, the episode offers a nuanced and compelling look at one of the defining documents in American history.