The National Constitution Center is a nonprofit, nonpartisan institution devoted to explaining the United States Constitution. Located on Independence Mall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the center serves as an interactive museum and a national town hall for constitutional dialogue, regularly hosting government leaders, journalists, scholars, and celebrities for public discussions, including presidential debates. The center houses the Annenberg Center for Education and Outreach, which offers civic learning resources both onsite and online. It does not contain the original Constitution, which is stored at the National Archives Building in Washington, D.C.
The groundbreaking ceremony, attended by President Bill Clinton, was held on September 17, 2000, the 213th anniversary of the signing of the Constitution. The National Constitution Center opened on July 4, 2003, joining other historic sites and iconic attractions in what has been called "America's most historic square mile" because of the proximity to historic landmarks such as Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell.