Constitution Day Seeks National Recognition

Friday, Sept. 17, 2010, will mark one of the more forgotten holidays among the general population. As an undergraduate student, I can safely say that a holiday that does not result in a vacation from school is a holiday that is neglected. However, some of us are working to get a little recognition for Constitution Day 2010.

Constitution Day is also known as Citizenship Day, and it celebrates and recognizes the 1787 ratification of the Constitution by the US Constitutional Convention. Most of the organized activities around the country involve school groups visiting historic sites, such as Montpelier, home of one of the creators of the Constitution (James Madison). (Keen Observers)

Whether you are liberal or conservative (in terms of wanting or opposing change, not in terms of political affiliation), the Constitution is the law of the land. From my point of view, our Founding Fathers could not anticipate any and all social, economic, and technological changes that would occur from the ratification of the Constitution until subsequent generations have perished, but the foundation was put in place, and the means for making changes (amendments) was also put in place.

To me, as a student and a military brat, the Constitution is something that should be known and recognized beyond the instances where a nationally baffling case makes it to the Supreme Court. Sadly, not many bother to learn anything beyond what a high school civics teacher might ask them to know on a final exam. For example, I am challenging other students on my university campus to take the quiz found on ConstitutionFacts.com because the state and national averages given at the end are terrifyingly low. I live in Georgia, and the average score in this state is 6.216 out of 10. Nationally, the score is 5.953 out of 10. That's one reason why, for Constitution Day, I will challenge my fellow students to this very same 10-question quiz in the hopes that we can maybe raise the Georgia average. I will definitely be hitting the political science majors the hardest.

Students on my campus (Armstrong Atlantic State University) will also watch the inauguration of our president (Dr. Linda Bleicken). Supposedly, some acknowledgement of Constitution Day (or Citizenship Day) will occur. The following day (Sept. 18) will be a campus day of service around the community (known as Treasure Savannah Day of Service). (AASU)

In the end, this day is about knowing more than what the Constitution says. It is about that pride in your community and in the larger community as a whole. Regardless of political affiliation, this country is a work in progress because perfection does not exist, but the Constitution laid a great foundation.

AASU. Armstrong Atlantic State University. "Treasure Savannah."

Constitution Facts. "What's Your Constitution IQ?"

Rybczynski, Witold. "Constitution Day 2010 Today: US Constitution Day Activities and Opportunities." Keen Observers.