Constitution Day WHY is this an important day in HISTORY?

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, 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. These are the words that the Constitution of the United States begins with. This is called the Preamble! The constitution is turning 266 YEARS OLD this year!

There were two groups that met to discuss the Constitution; The Federalists (who) favored ratification (which means to formally approve something: usually an agreement negotiated by somebody else, in order that it can become valid or operative of the Constitution)and those that did not called the Anti-Federalists.

Antifederalists opposed the Constitution for a variety of reasons.  Some argued that the delegates in Philadelphia had exceeded their congressional authority by replacing the Articles of Confederation with an illegal new document.  Others complained that the delegates in Philadelphia represented only the well-born few and consequently had crafted a document that served their special interests and reserved the franchise for the propertied classes.  Another objection was that the Constitution gave too much power to the central government at the expense of the states and that a representative government could not manage a republic this large.  The most serious criticism was that the Constitutional Convention had failed to adopt a bill of rights proposed by George Mason.

Federalists were convinced that rejection of the Constitution would result in anarchy (absence of government: a state of lawlessness or political disorder due to the absence of governmental authority) and civil strife (civil disorder or unrest that could result in a civil war – a war between people who live in the same country).

On September 17, 1787, the delegates to the Constitutional Convention met for the last time to sign the document they had created. 1.Washington, George, VA 2.Franklin, Benjamin, PA 3.Madison, James, VA 4.Hamilton, Alexander, NY 5.Morris, Gouverneur, PA 6.Morris, Robert, PA 7.Wilson, James, PA 8.Pinckney, Chas. Cotesworth, SC 9.Pinckney, Chas, SC 10.Rutledge, John, SC 11.Butler, Pierce, SC 12.Sherman, Roger, CT 13.Johnson, William Samuel, CT 14.McHenry, James, MD 15.Read, George, DE 16.Bassett, Richard, DE 17.Spaight, Richard Dobbs, NC 18.Blount, William, NC 19.Williamson, Hugh, NC 20.Jenifer, Daniel of St. Thomas, MD Image courtesy of Office of the Curator, Architect of the Capitol

In May of 1787, outstanding citizens from 12 states (Virginia, Delaware, Maryland, N. Carolina, S. Carolina, Georgia, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, & Pennsylvania) gathered in Philadelphia. They planned to be there only a little while. They had come to improve the Articles of Confederation and try to create more unity and cooperation among the states. Rhode Island sent no representatives. StateDateOrderVotes For Votes Against Delaware December 7, Pennsylva nia December 12, New Jersey December 18, Georgia January 2, Connecticu t January 9, Massachus etts February 6, Maryland April 28, South Carolina May 23, New Hampshire June 21, Virginia June 25, New York July 26, North Carolina November 21, Rhode Island May 29,

The Bill Of Rights (first 10 amendments of Constitution) Amendment 1 Freedom of Religion, Speech, Press, Assembly, and Petition»Freedom of Religion, Speech, Press, Assembly, and Petition» Amendment 2 Right to Bear Arms»Right to Bear Arms» Amendment 3 Quartering of Soldiers»Quartering of Soldiers» Amendment 4 Search and Seizure»Search and Seizure» Amendment 5 Grand Jury, Double Jeopardy, Self-Incrimination, Due Process, Takings»Grand Jury, Double Jeopardy, Self-Incrimination, Due Process, Takings» Amendment 6 Right to Speedy Trial by Jury, Witnesses, Counsel»Right to Speedy Trial by Jury, Witnesses, Counsel» Amendment 7 Jury Trial in Civil Lawsuits»Jury Trial in Civil Lawsuits» Amendment 8 Excessive Fines, Cruel and Unusual Punishment»Excessive Fines, Cruel and Unusual Punishment» Amendment 9 Non-Enumerated Rights Retained by People»Non-Enumerated Rights Retained by People» Amendment 10 Rights Reserved to States or People»Rights Reserved to States or People»

Amendments 11 – 27 Amendment 11 Suits Against States»Suits Against States» Amendment 12 Election of President and Vice President»Election of President and Vice President» Amendment 13 Abolition of Slavery»Abolition of Slavery» Amendment 14 Citizenship Rights, Equal Protection, Apportionment, Civil War Debt»Citizenship Rights, Equal Protection, Apportionment, Civil War Debt» Amendment 15 Right to Vote Not Denied by Race»Right to Vote Not Denied by Race» Amendment 16 Income Tax»Income Tax» Amendment 17 Popular Election of Senators»Popular Election of Senators» Amendment 18 Prohibition of Liquor»Prohibition of Liquor» Amendment 19 Women’s Right to Vote»Women’s Right to Vote» Amendment 20 Presidential Term and Succession, Assembly of Congress»Presidential Term and Succession, Assembly of Congress» Amendment 21 Repeal of Prohibition»Repeal of Prohibition» Amendment 22 Two-Term Limit on Presidency»Two-Term Limit on Presidency» Amendment 23 Presidential Vote for D.C.»Presidential Vote for D.C.» Amendment 24 Abolition of Poll Taxes»Abolition of Poll Taxes» Amendment 25 Presidential Disability and Succession»Presidential Disability and Succession» Amendment 26 Right to Vote at Age 18»Right to Vote at Age 18» Amendment 27 Congressional Compensation»Congressional Compensation»

THINK ABOUT 1. What, to you, is the most important right for a citizen to have in a free country? What's the most important right for a student to have? 2. How do we know what our rights are? Have we always had the same rights? 3. Do you think all citizens should have the same rights? Why or why not? 4. Can your rights ever be limited? In what ways or for what reasons? 5. Are there any rights that we don't necessarily have that you believe we should? Why? Watch Video (20 minutes w/questions) day-2010/

Watch Video (20 minutes w/questions)

1.Where did the ideas for changes to the Constitution come from? What kinds of changes were being suggested? 2. How did the Bill of Rights become part of the Constitution? Were all of the proposed changes accepted? How long did it take for them to be approved? 3. Which freedoms are protected by the Bill of Rights? Which ones do you use regularly or rarely? 4. When did the Bill of Rights become a more central part of how the Constitution is interpreted? Why? 5. How do citizens-not the government-use the Bill of Rights to define their freedoms?

Which Founder Are You? The U.S. Constitution was written in 1787 by a group of 55 men with one purpose and many different personalities. Discover which Founding Father you're most like! URL: Grade: 12, 11, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, K K Standards: 5 - Individuals, Groups, and Institutions, 10 - Civic Ideals and Practices5 - Individuals, Groups, and Institutions10 - Civic Ideals and Practices

Create our own Classroom Constitution

Go to the website above and select one thing to read about: an article, an amendment, or an issue. In 400 words or more write what you choose to read, what it was about, and why you think it was important. YOUR response paper will be due Thursday, September 19 by the end of the day.