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| "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." |
What is Constitution Day?
On September 17th, America celebrates the founding document that upholds the groundwork of the government and its laws. According to the United States Senate, "The U.S. Constitution is the world's longest surviving written character of government." Constitution Day is celebrated nationwide each year to remember the importance of this document to United States history. It commemorates the signing of the Constitution in 1787 in Philadelphia by the delegates to the Constitutional Convention. The Constitution has endured changes over time due to the changing needs of the people and the nation and it has served as a model for the constitutions of other countries. Dr. Robert Spurrier, Emeritus Faculty, Honors College, states that, “One of the reasons for the enduring significance of the Constitution is the power of judicial review first employed in federal courts by Chief Justice John Marshall in Marbury v. Madison (1803) to declare an Act of Congress unconstitutional. Although used sparingly over the years, this power has kept the courts in the forefront of struggles of how best to interpret the Constitution, and it is one of the factors in play in the debates surrounding the nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to succeed Justice Anthony Kennedy on the Supreme Court.” The Constitution has remained effective for centuries because the three branches of government have a checks and balance system that for the most part has ensured that power is not abused.
The journey to establish the Constitution was not an easy one. After the United States gained independence from Great Britain, the people feared that another monarchy would be established. Citizens worried that they escaped the tyranny of one monarch only to fall under the ruling of another one. This fear resulted in the Articles of Confederation, the first constitution of the United States. A weak national government was established with power centralized in the states. The Articles failed to carry out essential duties since it lacked power. The government could not raise funds for itself, so it would have to rely on the financial contributions of the states. In addition, it was difficult to make amendments because any decision had to receive an unanimous vote to pass. The Office of the Historian at the Department of State describes that the central government was weak because of "its inability to pass laws inhibited foreign policy, the Confederation Congress lacked the authority to regulate trade, and states were often deadlocked in decisions." These weaknesses demonstrated that change was needed for the country to survive. For more information about the Articles of Confederation and its involvement in the Constitution, refer back to a previous blog titled "The Federalist Papers."
The journey to establish the Constitution was not an easy one. After the United States gained independence from Great Britain, the people feared that another monarchy would be established. Citizens worried that they escaped the tyranny of one monarch only to fall under the ruling of another one. This fear resulted in the Articles of Confederation, the first constitution of the United States. A weak national government was established with power centralized in the states. The Articles failed to carry out essential duties since it lacked power. The government could not raise funds for itself, so it would have to rely on the financial contributions of the states. In addition, it was difficult to make amendments because any decision had to receive an unanimous vote to pass. The Office of the Historian at the Department of State describes that the central government was weak because of "its inability to pass laws inhibited foreign policy, the Confederation Congress lacked the authority to regulate trade, and states were often deadlocked in decisions." These weaknesses demonstrated that change was needed for the country to survive. For more information about the Articles of Confederation and its involvement in the Constitution, refer back to a previous blog titled "The Federalist Papers."
Why
is it important?
The weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation were detrimental to the health of the newly established United States. With the survival of the country in balance, delegates gathered at the Constitutional Convention to address the issues of the Articles of Confederation. With a desire to improve the form of government, 12 out of the 13 states attended the convention (Rhode Island did not send any participant). Whitehouse.gov states that the goal of the Constitution was "to create a government with enough power to act on a national level, but without so much power that fundamental rights would be at risk." In pursuit of a new government, two plans were supported at the Convention. The Virginia Plan asserted representation based on population. This plan favored large states because they would have more power in the government. In contrast, small states supported the New Jersey Plan. The New Jersey Plan called for equal representation so that all the states would have the same number of votes in congress. History.house.gov states that The Great Compromise (Connecticut Comprise) "created a bicameral legislature with a House, where membership was determined by state population, and a Senate, where each state had two seats regardless of population." This plan satisfied the needs of the large and small states and enabled the signing of the Constitution.
Danny Adkison, Associate Professor of Political Science, offers two famous quotes about the Constitution. He notes William Gladstone, the Liberal Prime Minister of Great Britain (1868-1874): "The American Constitution is, so far as I can see, the most wonderful work ever struckoff at a given time by the brain and purpose of man." He also emphasized the importance of this legal document by referencing George Bancroft, an American historian: "The Constitution is, to the American people, a possession for the ages." The signing of the Constitution was no easy feat. The states had to give up some power and compromise to ensure the success of the nation. Little did they know that the Constitution would still be in effect 200 years later.
Where can I read the Constitution and find out more information about it?
The National Archives website has America's founding documents, including the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights.
Danny Adkison, Associate Professor of Political Science, offers two famous quotes about the Constitution. He notes William Gladstone, the Liberal Prime Minister of Great Britain (1868-1874): "The American Constitution is, so far as I can see, the most wonderful work ever struckoff at a given time by the brain and purpose of man." He also emphasized the importance of this legal document by referencing George Bancroft, an American historian: "The Constitution is, to the American people, a possession for the ages." The signing of the Constitution was no easy feat. The states had to give up some power and compromise to ensure the success of the nation. Little did they know that the Constitution would still be in effect 200 years later.
Where can I read the Constitution and find out more information about it?
The National Archives website has America's founding documents, including the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights.
For more information:
National Archives
Provides educator resources for Constitution Day such as the Constitution Day Workshop, The Constitution Game, and the Biographical Index of the Framers of the Constitution.
National Archives
Provides educator resources for Constitution Day such as the Constitution Day Workshop, The Constitution Game, and the Biographical Index of the Framers of the Constitution.
ConstitutionFacts.com
You can read the Constitution, The Bill of Rights, take a Constitution quiz, and learn interesting facts about the Constitution.
The OSU Library has many books about the Constitution and Constitutional booklets on the 5th floor in the Government Documents Department. Stop by and pick one up to learn more about the framework of the government and your rights.
~Emily Hancz
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