The Three-Day Holiday Weekend

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Like many of you, I am looking forward to the upcoming three-day weekend for extra rest and relaxation. It is also the time of year when I like to remind myself of the reasons for Independence Day, and to take a walk down history lane before heading out to the beach.

When a friend of mine studied for her U.S. citizenship test several years ago, I realized she knew more about our country’s Constitution than I did. Since then, each year at this time I remind myself of the basis that formed the country.

On July 4, the United States will celebrate its 239^th birthday.

For many U.S. citizens, the Declaration of Independence is still one of the most revered documents, while there are others who never read it.

photo from hectortv.org circa. 1980-2001

After the revolutionary war (1775-1783), it took the newly formed country until 1787 to charter what became the Constitution of the United States. The first time I saw the actual document was on a family trip to Washington, D.C. in 1980. Not yet into double digits, I did not know much about it except from discussions with my parents who told me it was important.

During the nearly two and a half centuries since its inception, there have been many ups and downs, good and bad times, and plenty of challenges to the laws of the land. Even in just the first six months of this calendar year, the U.S. is experiencing turbulence and controversy generating incredible discussions, rallies, and changes to traditions. People can have an opinion and voice it.

In drafting the Constitution, which focuses on the government of the country (legislative, executive, and judicial), opponents charged that the document would open the way to tyranny by the central government. They wanted the immunities of the individual citizens acknowledged.

It was in September of 1789 when the First Congress of the U.S. proposed to the state legislatures 12 amendments to the Constitution that met arguments most frequently advanced against it. The first two proposed amendments were not ratified, but Articles 3 to 12 were. These first 10 amendments of the Constitution are known as the original Bill of Rights.

For the full text of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States, and the Bill of Rights, visit the Charters of Freedom site on the U.S. Archives website http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/.

Be safe and enjoy the Holiday weekend.

Opening of the Constitution of the United States

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

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Huzzah and Happy 4th!

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The original Constitution of the USA

It’s the 4^th of July weekend and like most Americans, we’re taking a couple days to enjoy the celebrations. We’re planning on a nice long, relaxing (hopefully) weekend. There are parades to watch, cookouts to attend, and travel to undertake. We’ll wear red, white and blue clothing, and proudly wave flags.

Lately, there seems to be a resurgence in acknowledging the reason for the holidays in the U.S., rather than just basking in a paid day off at the beach, park or backyard. As a collective whole, the citizens of our country do a better job celebrating the history and background. Memorial Day is to remember and honor our service men and women who serve(d) our country. Labor Day celebrates those who paved the way for the American labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of workers.

For the 4^th of July, the U.S. celebrates the oldest written national constitution in use and the formal establishment of the United States of America. Most people correlate it with freedom. The Constitution defines the principal organs of government and their jurisdictions, and the basic rights of citizens. It was signed by 55 men, commonly referred to as the “founding fathers.” Amendments were added and changed from 1791 through 1992.

While touring Boston this past May, I met Benjamin Franklin, one of the founding fathers. An agreeable man, he proudly spoke of the Constitution, its positives and its faults, and his belief in the people of our country. Two hundred and twenty-seven years after it was written, the Constitution still exemplifies the United States of America and the ingenuity, resourcefulness and dedication of its people. Huzzah!

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

For more information on the history of the United States, click here http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/134197/Constitution-of-the-United-States-of-America