Renowned Yale Law Scholar Explores American History and Constitutional Equality at Iona University
As the nation celebrates its 250th anniversary, Akhil Reed Amar encourages a deeper understanding of the founding principles that continue to shape American democracy
Amar's visit reflected the ongoing mission of Iona's Presidential Speaker Series, which brings distinguished scholars, authors and thought leaders to campus to foster meaningful dialogue on important issues shaping society.
New Rochelle, N.Y. – As the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary, renowned constitutional scholar Akhil Reed Amar recently visited Iona University to explore the nation's founding principles, the evolution of constitutional equality and the importance of understanding American history.
Amar, the Sterling professor of law and political science at Yale University, delivered his lecture, “Created Equal to Born Equal: Remaking America’s Constitution, 1840–1920,” as part of Iona's Presidential Speaker Series.
A leading voice in constitutional law and the author of more than 100 law review articles and several acclaimed books, Amar encouraged attendees to revisit the historical documents and defining moments that have shaped the nation.
“We don’t know some of the most basic things about our history,” Amar said. “And this isn’t a pedantic point.”
Amar emphasized that revisiting familiar historical narratives and challenging long-held assumptions was central to his discussion.
“My goal is to provoke you to rethink and relearn,” Amar said.
Throughout the lecture, Amar emphasized the role of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution in establishing a shared national identity.
Throughout the lecture, Amar emphasized the role of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution in establishing a shared national identity, noting that Americans are united not by a common background, religion or political perspective, but by the principles and history that underpin the country's founding.
He also emphasized the importance of recognizing these shared foundations, encouraging Americans to look beyond their differences and work together to address challenges facing the nation, just as the country's founders did.
Opening with an interactive question about whether American independence was declared on July 2 or July 4, 1776, Amar challenged the audience to consider how well they understood some of the nation's most familiar historical milestones. The room was fairly split.
He went on to explain that on July 2, the Continental Congress adopted Richard Henry Lee’s resolution declaring the colonies “free and independent,” while the longer text known today as the Declaration of Independence was adopted two days later. Signing took place later still, he noted.
“My goal is to provoke you to rethink and relearn,” Amar said.
Amar continued to explore the Declaration of Independence's enduring assertion that “all men are created equal,” drawing on Abraham Lincoln's interpretation of the phrase as a commitment to fundamental human rights and dignity.
He also traced the evolution of constitutional equality through the abolitionist movement and the constitutional amendments that followed the Civil War, highlighting the ways in which the nation's founding ideals have continued to shape American law and society.
Central to Amar's discussion was the importance of civic education and the responsibility of citizens to engage thoughtfully with the nation's history and democratic institutions.
“You need to know the story,” Amar said, emphasizing the importance of historical understanding in holding elected officials accountable to their constitutional responsibilities.
Amar's visit reflected the ongoing mission of Iona's Presidential Speaker Series, which brings distinguished scholars, authors and thought leaders to campus to foster meaningful dialogue on important issues shaping society.
ABOUT IONA
Founded in 1940, Iona University is a master's-granting private, Catholic, coeducational institution of learning in the tradition of the Edmund Rice Christian Brothers. Iona's 45-acre New Rochelle campus and 28-acre Bronxville campus are just 20 miles north of Midtown Manhattan. With a total enrollment of over 4,000 students and an alumni base of 55,000 around the world, Iona is a diverse community of learners and scholars dedicated to academic excellence and the values of justice, peace and service. Iona is highly accredited, offering undergraduate degrees in liberal arts, science and business administration, as well as Master of Arts, Master of Science and Master of Business Administration degrees and numerous advanced certificate programs. Iona students enjoy small class sizes, engaged professors and a wide array of academic programs across the School of Arts & Science; LaPenta School of Business; NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Nursing & Health Sciences; and Hynes Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation. Iona also continues to be recognized in prestigious national rankings. Most recently for 2026, Iona has been named one of the nation’s best colleges by The Princeton Review, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes and others. Additionally, U.S. News & World Report recognized Iona as one of top for social mobility in the country, while Georgetown University's Center on Education and the Workforce (CEW) ranked an Iona degree in the top 6 percent nationally for long-term return on investment. Iona’s LaPenta School of Business, meanwhile, is also accredited by AACSB International, a recognition awarded to just 6 percent of business schools worldwide. In addition, The Princeton Review once again named Iona to its “Best Business Schools for 2025,” recognizing both its on-campus and online MBA programs. Connecting to its Irish heritage, Iona also opened a new campus in County Mayo, Ireland, located on the historic 400-acre Westport House Estate. A school on the rise, Iona officially changed its status from College to University on July 1, 2022, reflecting the growth of its academic programs and the prestige of an Iona education.