1. The Constitution of the United States The Supreme Law of the United States of America “In Celebration of Constitution Day”

2. When was it created? The writing of the Constitution was completed on September 17, 1787. The writing of the Constitution was completed on September 17, 1787. It took a long time for the states to ratify the Constitution as the law of the land. It took a long time for the states to ratify the Constitution as the law of the land. Not everyone agreed that the Constitution was a good thing. Not everyone agreed that the Constitution was a good thing.

3. How important is it? Nine of the Thirteen original colonies had to ratify (approve) the Constitution before it could become law. Nine of the Thirteen original colonies had to ratify (approve) the Constitution before it could become law. The US Constitution is the oldest one in use in the world today. The US Constitution is the oldest one in use in the world today. Several countries around the world have modeled our Constitution in their own. Several countries around the world have modeled our Constitution in their own.

4. It took a long time to discuss ideas and write such an important document.

5. Different Ideas… Some people wanted a strong central government in the nation’s capitol. Some people wanted a strong central government in the nation’s capitol. Some people wanted a weak central government in the nation’s capitol and stronger rights for the states. Some people wanted a weak central government in the nation’s capitol and stronger rights for the states. Some people wanted our rights to be listed in the Constitution and some did not. Some people wanted our rights to be listed in the Constitution and some did not.

6. So many ideas, a few problems… Eventually our nation’s forefathers were wise enough to compromise. A compromise is where each side gives up some of the things they want in order to reach agreement. Eventually our nation’s forefathers were wise enough to compromise. A compromise is where each side gives up some of the things they want in order to reach agreement. They gave some powers to the central government and some to the states. They gave some powers to the central government and some to the states. They listed the basic rights of Americans not in the Constitution but in the first ten amendments called The Bill of Rights. They listed the basic rights of Americans not in the Constitution but in the first ten amendments called The Bill of Rights.

7. Signing the Constitution took a very long time, but it was not official until nine states ratified it.

8. South Carolina’s Signers of the Constitution of the United States Charles Cotesworth Pinckney Charles Pinckney John Rutledge

9. South Carolina is Number Eight May 23, 1788, South Carolina ratified the Constitution of the United States in the Old Exchange Building in Charleston.

10. The Constitution of the United States became official on March 4, 1789

11. Independence Hall in Philadelphia where the Constitution of the United States was created

12. South Carolina ratifies – May 23, 1788 Commemorative Stamp – 200 th Anniversary

13. Some more things you need to know about the Constitution…

14. More about a Constitution A Constitution defines the relationship between the government and the governed. A Constitution defines the relationship between the government and the governed. People give up some of their rights in order to be protected by the government. People give up some of their rights in order to be protected by the government. The government must be responsive to the people or it can be replaced. The government must be responsive to the people or it can be replaced.

15. Still more… Some powers like taxation and protection of citizens can be shared by national, local, and state governments. Some powers like taxation and protection of citizens can be shared by national, local, and state governments. Some powers are reserved for the national government, like printing money and declaring war. Some powers are reserved for the national government, like printing money and declaring war. And some powers are reserved for state and local governments without national interference. And some powers are reserved for state and local governments without national interference.

16. A Delicate Balance… Sometimes the expectations of the government and the constitution seem almost impossible to meet. Sometimes the expectations of the government and the constitution seem almost impossible to meet. One such awesome task is to protect individual rights. Yet the Constitution must also promote the common good. One such awesome task is to protect individual rights. Yet the Constitution must also promote the common good. The Constitution is a living document that stands between the people and tyranny. No wonder we honor and respect it! The Constitution is a living document that stands between the people and tyranny. No wonder we honor and respect it!

17. The Constitution of the United States This document is one of the most important guardians of our freedom as Americans. This document is one of the most important guardians of our freedom as Americans. Politicians agree to uphold the Constitution and soldiers go into battle to support the Constitution and the nation it protects. Politicians agree to uphold the Constitution and soldiers go into battle to support the Constitution and the nation it protects. All Americans owe their freedom to this document and the people who uphold it. All Americans owe their freedom to this document and the people who uphold it.

18. Created by Carol Poole September 2006