Final answer:
Meetings being open to the public depends on the entity involved. While the U.S. Supreme Court convenes in private, federal agencies are generally required to hold public meetings, with specific exceptions for sensitive information.
Step-by-step explanation:
Whether meetings are open to the public or not can vary greatly depending on the body that is convening. For instance, the Supreme Court holds conferences in private, as described, where the justices can freely discuss cases and potential decisions. This allows them to convene outside the public eye. On the other hand, the Government in Sunshine Act of 1976 mandates that federal agencies must hold their meetings in a public forum, with some exceptions for sensitive matters. Similarly, the Constitutional Convention of 1787 initially met in secrecy to create an environment where delegates could discuss freely, leading to the creation of the U.S. Constitution. Moreover, Congress is required to publish a journal of their proceedings and can keep certain discussions and votes secret only under specific circumstances.