Join civic leaders, educators, and funders to shape the future of
American civic education and celebrate the Declaration of Independence
at the Jack Miller Center’s 2026 National Summit on Civic Education.
American civic education and celebrate the Declaration of Independence
at the Jack Miller Center’s 2026 National Summit on Civic Education.
May 18 - 19, 2026 | Independence Mall
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
You’re invited to join the Jack Miller Center for the 2026 National Summit on Civic Education, a two-day convening celebrating America’s founding ideals and their enduring power to unite us as citizens.
Held in historic Philadelphia—the birthplace of the Declaration of Independence—the Summit will bring together hundreds of educators, funders, and civil society leaders for timely conversations on the “Words That Changed the World.” Leading voices from across disciplines will explore bold reforms and practical actions participants can take back to their institutions.
Highlights include conversation with renowned columnist Peggy Noonan, dinner and keynote live recording of the Old School podcast with Shilo Brooks, a moving naturalization ceremony for thirteen new U.S. citizens, and shark-tank–style presentations showcasing some of the most catalytic projects in civic education. The National Constitution Center will serve as the primary host site, with breakout sessions at the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History, the Independence Visitor Center, and the Museum of the American Revolution.
Featured Speakers
Leaders across a variety of fields will discuss bold ideas and concrete actions attendees can bring to their own projects.




Visit our speaker page here to learn more about our Summit speakers! And check back for latest additions.
Thank You to Our Generous Sponsors

Interested in becoming a sponsor? Contact Tom Kelly at tkelly@gojmc.org
Agenda
| Sunday, May 17, 2026 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 5:30 PM - 6:00 PM | VIP Pre-Summit Dinner Reception (Invite Only) 5:30 PM - 6:00 PM | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM | VIP Pre-Summit Dinner (Invite Only) 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Monday, May 18, 2026 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM | Philadelphia Stakeholders Breakfast (Invite Only) 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM | Naturalization Ceremony 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 11:30 AM - 12:45 PM | Opening Lunch 11:30 AM - 12:45 PM | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12:45 PM - 1:30 PM | A Conversation with Peggy Noonan 12:45 PM - 1:30 PM | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM | Breakout Session: How Should We Tell the American Story? 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM | Breakout Session: Who Owns the Declaration? 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM | Breakout Session: Small-group discussion of the Declaration with DiSalvo & Montás 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM | Breakout Session: Small-group discussion of the Declaration with Morel & Shogan 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM | Breakout Session: Small-group discussion of the Declaration with Allen & Schaub 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM | VIP Cocktail Reception (Invite Only) 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM | Cocktail Reception 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM | Teach for Freedom Dinner with Old School live podcast 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tuesday, May 19, 2026 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 8:00 AM - 9:30 AM | Breakfast with Plenary Panel: The Civics Renaissance in Higher Education 8:00 AM - 9:30 AM | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10:00 AM - 11:15 AM | Breakout Sessions: Civics Innovators Competition 10:00 AM - 11:15 AM | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM | Civics Innovator Awards and Closing Lunch 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Questions
See our FAQ page or contact us at nationalsummit@gojmc.org.
Know someone interested in attending the Summit for the first time?

The Jack Miller Center is a nonpartisan nonprofit dedicated to the teaching of America's founding principles and history, an education vital to thoughtful and engaged citizenship. As we honor the nation’s 250th anniversary, our goal is to spark a renaissance of civic education in America. Visit jackmillercenter.org to learn more.
