Once again, I drew strange looks as I yelled out "Happy Constitution Day!" to everyone who passed by me. Students and staff alike gave me a quizzical "What did he say?" sort of look through much of the morning. However, by the end of the day, I had a number of students not only saying it back to me, but preemptively saying "Happy Constitution Day!" before I had the chance to say anything. For those who asked "What is Constitution Day?" I would quickly explain that 234 years ago today the Constitution was officially signed in Philadelphia after a summer of debate between the delegates. It would then be ratified by the states. However, this point truly marks the birthday of the United States of America.
The Constitution is an amazing document that, despite certain flaws (I'm looking at you, Three-fifths Compromise), created a lasting governmental system that wisely allowed for Amendments which could keep our nation intact as it grew in geography and population, and as times and technology changed. Although some weaker attempts preceded (I'm looking at you, Articles of Confederation), our Constitution stands as one of the first times that the powers, rights, and responsibilities of a people and their government were codified. It has become the model upon which other such documents have been built.
It's on days like today that I remember that America is a land built of disparate ideas and people who somehow manage to come together to make the greatest nation that the world has ever seen.
The Constitution is an amazing document that, despite certain flaws (I'm looking at you, Three-fifths Compromise), created a lasting governmental system that wisely allowed for Amendments which could keep our nation intact as it grew in geography and population, and as times and technology changed. Although some weaker attempts preceded (I'm looking at you, Articles of Confederation), our Constitution stands as one of the first times that the powers, rights, and responsibilities of a people and their government were codified. It has become the model upon which other such documents have been built.
It's on days like today that I remember that America is a land built of disparate ideas and people who somehow manage to come together to make the greatest nation that the world has ever seen.
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