I believe that this day should be a more important holiday than any of our others….this is the day the new US Constitution was approved….the day that America became a functioning entity.
I shall start with my opinion–While I believe the DoI was an important document that set the whole thing in motion….I also think that this document was a rehash of what Paine wrote in Common Sense….the approval of the Constitution set up the framework of a new country….and the as they say the st is history.
A few facts about Constitution Day…..
Constitution Day celebrates the signing of the United States Constitution on September 17, 1787.
- The Signing: Delegates to the Constitutional Convention signed the foundational document in Philadelphia.
- The Birth of Government: While July 4th marks independence, September 17th marks the creation of the federal government and framework of laws.
- Citizenship: It is also known as Citizenship Day, recognizing all who have become U.S. citizens through birth or naturalization.
- Education: Federally funded schools and colleges must hold educational programs about the U.S. Constitution.
- Civic Reflection: Communities use the day to reflect on the rights, liberties, and responsibilities of American citizenship.
- Date: Celebrated on July 4th.
- Meaning: It marks the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, which stated that the American colonies were free from British rule.
- Celebration: It is a major federal holiday with paid time off, parades, fireworks, and public gatherings.
- Date: Celebrated on September 17th.
- Meaning: It marks the signing of the U.S. Constitution in 1787, which created the rules and system for the federal government.
- Celebration: It is a federal observance, also known as Citizenship Day, but it does not include a federal day off work. Schools and government agencies hold educational programs about the Constitution.
How many people know what the 4th of July signifies? How about the 17th of September?
This is an important day in the history of this country and should get much more attention than it does for without the Constitution Washington, after the war, would have returned to his plantation and oversaw his slaves and crops.
Another thing the debate around the Constitution was public….the Federalist Papers and the ‘Anti-Federalist Papers’ were printed for all to see and know what the delegates were doing….
(This is included for those that are interested enough to check it out)
https://guides.loc.gov/federalist-papers/full-text
The American public was privy to what both sides were aiming for with the new government.
When was the last time you got to see or read the real debate on an issue by the government…..today we get snippets from different sources that seldom tell the whole story.
These days the Constitution seems to mean very little to politicians and the population….it is used as some sort of dodge to action on some issue mostly not in the interest in the country or its people.
WE have ‘holidays’ for this person or that but the Constitution is not ever in the conversation and that is so sad that they people, especially students, are unaware of the importance of the document.
A few facts about the Constitution….
Constitution Day, also known as Citizenship Day, is an important federal observance in the United States. On September 17th each year, Americans commemorate the signing of the United States Constitution in 1787. This pivotal document laid the foundation for the nation’s democratic principles, rights, and freedoms. While Constitution Day primarily celebrates American history and citizenship, its significance transcends national borders and holds relevance in the international landscape.
Constitution Day’s historical roots can be traced back to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, where delegates from the 13 American colonies gathered to address the shortcomings of the Articles of Confederation. The convention, held from May 25 to September 17, 1787, resulted in the creation of the United States Constitution, a document designed to establish a more perfect union and safeguard individual rights.
The U.S. Constitution remains the oldest written national constitution still in use. It has withstood the test of time, serving as a beacon of democracy globally. It outlines the division of powers, ensuring that no single branch of government becomes too powerful, thereby preserving the democratic ideals upon which the nation was founded.
The Constitution’s Bill of Rights guarantees fundamental freedoms such as freedom of speech, religion, and the right to a fair trial. These rights have become a cornerstone of American society, shaping the nation’s identity and inspiring similar rights protections worldwide.
Constitution Day underscores the importance of the rule of law. It reinforces the notion that even the highest authorities in the land are bound by a set of rules and principles, fostering a culture of accountability and justice.
Now let me ask you….does any of that hold true today?
I say that the lack of the Constitution importance to America has been greatly ignored in all aspects of American life….and now we are paying for it.
We should be proud of the accomplishments of the Convention that gave birth to the Constitution instead we are too damn busy hating our neighbors because they do not adhere to some sick ideology.
I believe that this country will continue to sink further into chaos until we all embrace the tenets set forth by the Constitution and that will be a disaster.
I Read, I Write, You Know
“lego ergo scribo”