September 17 is Constitution Day, and most of our nation's students will be studying about the U.S. Constitution at school. This excites me, as it is so important that we as a nation (and as Christians) not lose the knowledge of what the constitution is all about and why it is important. Following are some fun facts, quizzes, and activities to remind us, as we celebrate the 220th anniversary of its 1787 signing. Enjoy them, and share them with your family!
Note: None of this is original, but just pieced together for your enjoyment. None is copyrighted. Most is available from www.constitutioncenter.org, where you can find other fun activites. DID YOU KNOW THAT . . .
The U. S Constitution was written in the same Pennsylvania State House where the Declaration of Independence was signed and where George Washington received his commission as Commander of the Continental Army. Now called Independence Hall, the building still stands today on Independence Mall in Philadelphia, directly across from the National Constitution Center.
Written in 1787, the Constitution was signed on September 17th. But it wasn't until 1788 that it was ratified by the necessary nine states.
The U.S. Constitution was prepared in secret, behind locked doors that were guarded by sentries.
Some of the original framers and many delegates in the state ratifying conventions were very troubled that the original Constitution lacked a description of individual rights. In 1791, Americans added a list of rights to the Constitution. The first ten amendments became known as The Bill of Rights (There's a quiz coming up up about this one! Want to read the Bill of Rights before you get there? Click here and scroll down to Amendments of the Constitution of the United States)
Of the 55 delegates attending the Constitutional Convention, 39 signed and 3 delegates dissented. Two of America's "founding fathers" didn't sign the Constitution. Thomas Jefferson was representing his country in France and John Adams was doing the same in Great Britain.
Established on November 26, 1789, the first national "Thanksgiving Day" was originally created by George Washington as a way of "giving thanks" for the Constitution. (Wow! Thanks for the turkey, George!)
Of the written national constitutions, the U.S. Constitution is the oldest and shortest.
At 81, Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania was the oldest delegate at the Constitutional Convention and at 26, Jonathon Dayton of New Jersey was the youngest.
The original Constitution is on display at the National Archives in Washington, D.C. When the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, it was moved to Fort Knox for safekeeping.
More than 11,000 amendments have been introduced in Congress. Thirty three have gone to the states to be ratified and twenty seven have received the necessary approval from the states to actually become amendments to the Constitution.
BILL OF RIGHTS QUIZ: HOW MANY CAN YOU ANSWER CORRECTLY?
Name three of the five rights in the first amendment.
The second amendment gives people the right to bear Arms. What else does it give?
What kind of person does the third amendment say can’t be quartered in any house?
The fourth amendment says there can be no unreasonable searches and seizures except under what conditions?
The fifth amendment says that a person who is accused of a crime must first be what?
True or false: The sixth amendment gives people the right to legal representation even if they can not afford it.
How much “value in controversy” does there have to be in order to have the right to a jury trial, according to the seventh amendment?
What kind of punishments are forbidden based on the eighth amendment?
True or false: Based on the ninth amendment, Americans are protected only by the rights listed in the Constitution.
According to the 10th amendment, who is given the powers that aren’t in the Constitution?
Scroll down for the answers.
THE CONSTITUTION FOR DUMMIES: JUST THE BASICS The basic governing principles: (Click on the topic if you want to know more.)
Rule of Law A government guided by a set of laws, rather than by any individual or group entity.
Separation of Powers and a System of Checks and Balances A separation of powers and distribution of functions and responsibilities among three separate government branches, and a system of checks and balances to calibrate those powers.
Federalism A federalist system whereby governing power is shared between the national government and the individual state governments.
Judicial Review The establishment of the Supreme Court as the judicial branch's authoritative institution, and the resulting power of judicial review.
Individual Rights Protection of individual rights and liberties against government encroachment.
SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK: THE PREAMBLE Remember? That's the first section of the Constitution. No, not Schoolhouse Rock! The Preamble! This is a great way to commit it to memory quickly! Watch it twice, and it'll be stuck in your head!
Answers to Bill of Rights Quiz:
Freedoms of religion, speech, press, peaceable assembly and petition of government.
The right to a well regulated Militia.
A soldier.
Only with probably cause and a warrant supported by oath, with a description of the place to be searched and the things to be seized.
Indicted by a grand jury.
True. It also gives people the right to a speedy trial in the state the crime was committed in.
Any dispute over $20 can be heard by a jury.
Cruel and unusual. Excessive bail is also forbidden.
False. The Constitution was written in a manner that it was clear people had additional rights.
The states, or the people, are given the powers.
How did you do? Try it again, and see and see if you can remember them all!
outstanding! Too many are too ill-informed or ignorant to what our founding documents actually say. Every American should own a pocket-size copy of these documents and should be familiar with their content. Then, the politicians would be held more accountable to the people...
Thanks for this excellant little constitutional lesson. I did not know there was such a day. It is always good to remember the principles our country was founded upon. I too enjoyed the Schoolhouse Rock! I am a little embarassed to say I did not know that Thanksgiving was originally to celebrate our constitution. Very interesting stuff and yes Happy Constitution Day!
Thanks, Voice! I didn't care for Schoolhouse Rock as a kid, but I love it now!
Thanks, Wyatt! I've missed you lately! I need to write more political blogs so I'll get to see more of you! :)
Glenn, I think it's a relatively new commemoration (I've only been aware of it since last year), and possibly specifically for the schools. I didn't know about Thanksgiving either!
Very good reminder Kathy! My boys enjoyed the YouTube video with me at breakfast.
Speaking of Thanksgiving, we had a history professor at a local Christian School who did some research on the people involved in the first Thanksgiving. He read the diaries and the public works of people like George Washington and was amazed at how much they attributed to their faith in Jesus Christ for their strength.
Another interesting note is the first Indian the people from the Mayflower met spoke perfect English and was a Christian. He had been taken to England and trained at Oxford prior to coming back to America. God has such a great plan and adventure plannned for each of us, how can we not follow him and trust him for our hope and our future?
Kathy, I very much appreciate your love for academics. Through your previous posts, I can really sense your passion for education.
I really enjoyed this post. The Constitution is a subject that every American should be familiar with because it outlines the supreme law of the land.
I once taught 7th grade social studies at a public school on the south side of chicago. I still remember teaching the Constitution. It was the part of social studies I enjoyed teaching the most.
Did you know that the constitution replaces the very one that we claim it was based upon? G-d. It was written by a room full of freemasons and if you compare it to the scriptures you will see that it not only replaced the truth of Yahweh but it became our god in His place. That is called idolitry and is a form of spiritual fornication and very serious. my kids are not allowed to pledge allegience to anything or anyone including a flag or america. They are only allowed to pledge allegience with G-d. Commadments 1 & 2 explain it very well. They are in fact commandments and not suggestions. I am not attacking you by no means so please do not take it that way. this is sad.. So sad... Our children are being trained to reject the Creator. Can you not see it? Why do we need something other than His constitution which we all have copies of in our scriptures? You cannot add to perfection and He is PERFECT! With our mouths we praise Him but our hearts are far from Him... Yahweh open the eyes of your children and bring them to your truth.
Hi Nathania. Welcome to MyChurch. Although I do not agree with your perspective on this issue, I appreciate your comments and invite you to an earlier blog where you can read of my respect for the separation of church and state: Let's Not Put Prayer Back into Our Schools May we both be open to being continually molded by the Spirit, as none but God Himself has a perfect grasp of the Truth.
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