America celebrates U.S. Constitution

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Constitution Week

To recognize Constitution Week, Sept. 17-23, the Daily Citizen is publishing educational pieces about the U.S. Constitution through Sept. 23 that were prepared by the Urbana Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution.

September 17, 2020, begins the national celebration of Constitution Week. The weeklong commemoration of America’s most important document is one of our country’s least known official observances. Our Constitution stands as a testament to the tenacity of Americans throughout history to maintain their liberties and freedom, and to ensure those inalienable rights to every American.

The tradition of celebrating the Constitution was started many years ago by the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). In 1955, the Daughters petitioned Congress to set aside September 17-23 annually to be dedicated for the observance of Constitution Week. The resolution was later adopted by the U.S. Congress and signed into Public Law #915 on August 2, 1956 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. The aims of the celebration are to (1) emphasize citizens’ responsibilities for protecting and defending the Constitution, preserving it for posterity; (2) inform the people that the Constitution is the basis for America’s great heritage and the foundation for our way of life; and (3) encourage the study of the historical events which led to the framing of the Constitution in September 1787.

The United States of America functions as a Republic under the Constitution, which is the oldest document still in active use that outlines the self-government of a people. This landmark idea that men had the inalienable right as individuals to be free and live their lives under their own governance was the impetus of the American Revolution. Today, the Constitution stands as an icon of freedom for people around the world. Constitution Week is the perfect opportunity to read and study this great document which is the safeguard of our American liberties. Imagine creating a document that governs your grandchildren’s grandchildren’s grandchildren! That’s what the men of the 1787 Constitution convention did.

Writing the U.S Constitution

The Constitution was written in the Pennsylvania State House where the Declaration of Independence was signed and where George Washington received his commission as Commander of the Army. It is now called Independence Hall.

Written in 1787, the Constitution was signed on September 17, but it wasn’t until 1788 that it was ratified by the necessary nine states.

The U.S. Constitution was prepared in secret, behind locked doors that were guarded by sentries.

Some framer-delegates in the state ratifying conventions were very troubled that the original Constitution lacked a description of individual rights. In 1791, a list of rights were added. The first ten amendments became known as The Bill of Rights

Of the 55 delegates attending the Constitutional Convention, 39 signed and 3 delegates dissented. Two of America’s “Founding Fathers” didn’t sign: Thomas Jefferson, ambassador to France; and John Adams, ambassador to Great Britain.

Established on November 26, 1789, the first national “Thanksgiving Day” was created by George Washington as a way of “giving thanks” for the Constitution.

The U.S. Constitution is the oldest & shortest of all the written Constitutions.

Ben Franklin (81) was the oldest delegate. Jonathon Dayton (26) was the youngest.

The original Constitution is on display at the National Archives in Washington, D.C. When the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, it was moved to Fort Knox for safekeeping.

More than 11,000 amendments have been introduced in Congress. Thirty three have gone to the states to be ratified and twenty seven have received the necessary approval from the states to actually become amendments to the Constitution.

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DAR promotes Constitution Week

By Judith Henson

Constitution Week

To recognize Constitution Week, Sept. 17-23, the Daily Citizen is publishing educational pieces about the U.S. Constitution through Sept. 23 that were prepared by the Urbana Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution.

Judith Henson chairs the Constitution Week Committee of Urbana Chapter, DAR.

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