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Celebrate the Constitution in September
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SIRS Knowledge Source®
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.
Related SIRS articles and resources include:
ARTICLES
1. High Court Draws Line on School Strip-Search
2. Balancing Students' Constitutional Rights
3. The Founders' Great Mistake
4. The Constitution, Designed to Change, Rarely Does
5. Bedrock of the Constitution
6. The Revolution of 1800
WEB SITE
Constitution Day; National Constitution Center (NCC)
QUOTE
"The U.S. Constitution is America's most important export. From its very inception, its influence has been felt throughout the world. And even where that influence has not resulted in democracy and freedom, it has still brought hope--in President Abraham Lincoln's words--of government of, by, and for the people. The story of that influence is a tale worth telling. America's Founding Fathers fashioned a constitution that was a unique breakthrough in the continuing struggle for human freedom."
"The U.S. Constitution: America's Most Important Export," Democracy, March 2004
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 resources as:
ARTICLES
1. Seeking Change
2. Untouchable?
3. The Constitution of the United States
4. Happy Constitution Day!
5. We Vote!
WEB SITE
Test Your Knowledge of the U.S. Constitution
Read more
articles from the Spotlight of the Month by logging on to SIRS Discoverer®.
Monthly Events/Holidays
- Rosh Hashanah Basics
Source: Tracey R. Rich
"Rosh Hashanah occurs on the first and second days of Tishri. In Hebrew, Rosh Hashanah means, literally, head of the year or first of the year. Rosh Hashanah is commonly known as the Jewish New Year." (TRACEY R. RICH) Read about this important holiday of introspection.
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.
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