|
In the month of
September,
our SIRS solutions spotlight
several timely topics
from their unique perspectives.
SIRS Knowledge Source®
Promoting the education and awareness of the history and tenets of the U.S. Constitution.
Following the Revolutionary War, the United States of America was in need of a strong national government. The eight-year struggle for independence had weakened states' abilities to enforce laws, collect taxes, pay debts, negotiate power and regulate trade.
So in 1787, the new country's political leaders met at a constitutional convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to amend the Articles of Confederation, the nation's first governing document. But rather than revise the existing document, the delegates decided to draft a new one.
What emerged was the Constitution of the United States, a landmark text that outlines the fundamental principles of U.S. government at both the national and state levels.
On September 17, 1787, the U.S. Constitution was signed by 39 delegates from 12 states. That day is now celebrated each year as Constitution Day and Citizenship Day, and the week of September 17 is annually proclaimed as Constitution Week.
Explore the history, principles and impact of the U.S. Constitution and learn about the responsibilities of citizenship in the SKS Spotlight of the Month honoring Constitution Week. Articles include:
ARTICLES
1. Candor & Civility
2. The Invasion of America
3. New Type of War Brings New Interpretations of the Constitution
4. Citizenship Day/Constitution Week
5. 'Because I Said So'
WEB SITE
Constitution of the United States: A History
Read more articles from our Spotlights by logging on to our SIRS Knowledge Source® feature page. Note that the new month's content will not appear until the first of the new month.
SIRS Discoverer®
Constitution Week falls during the week of September 17, a very significant date in American history. On that day in 1787, the U.S. Constitution was signed by 39 delegates from 12 states.
This landmark document, which was ratified and became the "Law of the Land" on June 21, 1788, outlines the principles of American government. The U.S. Constitution created the Presidency, the Congress, and the Supreme Court. Amendments to the Constitution provide basic rights to U.S. citizens, such as the right of freedom of speech and the right of trial by jury.
Learn more about the U.S. Constitution, its history, and its impact on American life and government in such SIRS Discoverer articles and websites as:
ARTICLES
1. Could You Be President?
2. Getting to Know the Constitution
3. 1791: The Bill of Rights
4. Branching Out
5. Hooray for Constitution Day!
WEB SITE
Interactive Constitution
Read more
articles from the Spotlight of the Month by logging on to SIRS Discoverer®.
Monthly Events/Holidays
- The History of Labor Day
"Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers." (DOL) Read about the history and meaning of Labor Day on this page.
Spotlight of the Month topics are selected mainly from
Chase's Calendar of Events. Articles are also accessible within the main database and remain in our SIRS newsletter archives for one year.
|
