Celebrate Constitution Day

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The United States Constitution was signed into law on September 17, 1787. (Photo: Virginia Museum of Fine Art via Soda)

by Karen Fanning

September 15, 2006

Thanksgiving has the Pilgrims. Independence Day has the flag. But as far as Senator Robert C. Byrd is concerned, Constitution Day celebrates America’s most enduring symbol of democracy.

“There’s nothing more important than the Constitution,” says the Senator from West Virginia. “Everything we do in everyday life is touched upon by the Constitution of the United States. It protects our liberties. It protects our religion. It protects the freedom of speech so the newspapers can tell us the news every day.”

People across the country will honor this historic document on September 17, Constitution Day. The day officially honors the ratification of the United States Constitution, which was signed into law on September 17, 1787.

While Constitution Day celebrates the world’s oldest written constitution, the holiday itself is quite new. Congress passed the law that makes it official in 2004. Because the holiday falls on Sunday this year, most schools will start their celebrations early on Friday.

A Remarkable Document

When the Founding Fathers wrote the Constitution, they laid out the rules for how the U.S. government was going to work. Most important, they divided the federal government into three separate branches—the executive, the legislative, and the judicial.

“By ensuring that no one in government has too much power, the Constitution helps protect ordinary Americans every day against abuse of power by those in authority,” Chief Justice of the United States John G. Roberts Jr. told Scholastic News.

With its 7 Articles and 27 Amendments, the U.S. Constitution also outlines the basic freedoms and rights of U.S. citizens. Although it was adopted more than two centuries ago, the document is as relevant today as it was in 1787.

“It’s so important to realize that the Constitution isn’t just history,” says Caroline Kennedy, daughter of President John F. Kennedy. “This is something that affects us every time we go to church, or read the paper, or talk on the telephone, or go on the computer.”

Celebrate and Participate

This weekend, the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, will host a four-day celebration. Festivities will include a reading of the entire Constitution, a citizenship oath ceremony, and a 219th birthday bash, complete with a giant Constitution cake.

Paying tribute to the Constitution shouldn’t just be a one-day-a-year event, says Chief Justice Roberts. America’s youngest citizens need to understand how the Constitution works.

“Our Constitution will only work if people learn about it and actively participate in our democratic form of government,” he says. “You can’t fight for your rights if you don’t know what they are. You can’t participate in our democracy if you don’t know how it works.”

Critical Thinking Question

Read today's news story, and then answer the following question.

Celebrate Constitution Day What does the Constitution mean to you?

Join a discussion of this question on our bulletin board.

 

RELATED WEB SITE

Celebrate Constitution Day

Check out what Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr. had to say to Scholastic News.

United States Government
The government of the United States is a massive and complex organization. Its purpose is to improve and protect the lives of American citizens, both at home and overseas.

Celebrate Constitution Day
The United States Constitution has 27 Amendments. The first 10 Amendments to the Constitution are called the Bill of Rights. The Bill of Rights was ratified, or approved, in 1791. It outlines the basic rights and freedoms of American citizens.

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