MCLA Constitution Day Lecture Examines the History of American Citizenship

03:56PM / Thursday, September 10, 2026Print Story | Email Story

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) will hold its 2026 Constitution Day Lecture on Thursday, Sept. 17, at 4 p.m., in Murdock Hall, Room 218.

The talk, "Debating Citizenship: A Historical Perspective on How the U.S. Has Defined Citizenship," is free and open to the public.

Dr. Ely Janis, professor of history at MCLA, will trace the contested history of American citizenship from the Naturalization Act of 1790 to the present, examining how immigration, race and national identity have shaped who counts as a citizen. The lecture will connect that history to current debates over immigration, birthright citizenship, and national belonging.

A question-and-answer session will follow.

Constitution Day was established as a federal holiday in 2004 and first celebrated in 2005, recognizing the signing of the U.S. Constitution on Sept. 17, 1787, in Philadelphia. The Constitution Day Lecture is made possible by MCLA’s Department of History and Political Science.

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North Adams Council OKs New Sustainability Committee

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
05:13AM / Thursday, September 10, 2026

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The City Council on Tuesday night moved the establishment of a Sustainability & Tree Commission to a second reading and publication.

Mayor Jennifer Macksey back in February had presented the council with a list of objectives and how she thought a such a committee could support the administration. Councilor Andrew Fitch had raised the issue the year before, referred it to the mayor's office and pushed through the ordinance.

As the process moved forward, he recommended it merge with the Tree Commission, taking on that committee's objectives as part of the city's sustainability mission. It will make recommendations such as regarding climate change and impact on neighborhoods, and be able to seek grants, partnerships and other resources.

The language provided to the council on Tuesday had been reviewed by several committees and commissions and included changes advised by the city solicitor.

"It's been through a whole bunch of different reviews, and it took different tweaks from each of these committees," said Fitch, acting as president that night. "Each of these committees and commission provided excellent guidance of how to make this a little bit stronger, how to make this a little bit better."

Jenny Dunning, a member of the grassroots North Adams Sustainability Task Force, spoke at the beginning of the meeting to endorse the ordinance.

"I just want to say how much I appreciate that the council and the administration has moved forward to figure out a way to make this happen, and it's up for the vote tonight," said Dunning, who serves on the Windsor Lake Commission. "And we've got five of us who are here to support this change."

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