Friday, September 17, 2010

Constitution Day

Latest News Update About Constitution Day: September 17 is Constitution Day – - – or Constitution and Citizenship Day – - – as declared by Congress. The day commemorates the signing of the Constitution in 1787.

However, this is no mere resolution. The law, codified at 36 U.S.C. § 106, includes a provision that:
Each educational institution that receives Federal funds for a fiscal year shall hold an educational program on the United States Constitution on September 17 of such year for the students served by the educational institution.
So, here’s the question: What is your institution doing – - – and are you taking part in it? If you are, what are you doing? Focusing on the signers of the Constitution? Discussing the amendments to the Constitution, including the Fourteenth? Including “Citizenship”? Linking the commemoration of the Constitution to current controversies?

Constitution Day is the celebration of the act that consists in the very base of USA’s political and social organization. On September 17, 1787 the Constitutional Convention was signed and represents to date the highest expression of law and structural organization of the government. Constitution Day, as a celebration of this event was proclaimed in 1940 by the American Congress. The third Sunday in May was then designated to be the American Day. In 1952, the celebration was renamed as Citizenship Day and was set to be organized on September 17. It was in 2004 when the official name of this important day was changed again into Constitution Day.
The 223rd anniversary of the document signing is eventful. In Washington, the National Archives organize an entire day of celebration and offers to the first 223 curious visitors a piece of cake. There are also many trivia games that take place in school and universities, lesson plans that focus on this event and try to best explain it to the children. Poster making, plays staging, readings, are just some of the activities that mark this celebration.
Constitution Day is a celebration of life, freedom and unity. It is centered on patriotism and liberty and give people the opportunity to better understand early history of the USA. This day has a special importance to people in Delaware, as it was the first state to approve and ratify the Constitution. Regardless of the state they live in, Americans all over the nation are celebrating Constitution Day with enthusiasm and patriotic pride.

University students will gather today at the “Anniversary Plaza” behind the Illini Union to celebrate the 223 anniversary of the signing of the United States Constitution.
The celebration will take place between 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. A hand-written copy of the Constitution will also be available for students to sign, according to the press release.
“We are not writing the constitution but this is saying this is something that we stand by,” said Hannah Ihms, graduate student and organizer of this event.
There will be a public reading of the constitution. Ihms said students seem to be very interested in this. She said she believes it is important to know the history of the United States and how it came together.
“That document provides a way to pass on a stable government to the next generation,” Ihms said.

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