National Constitution Day is Sep. 17. This important holiday reminds adults and the next generation about the unalienable rights of American citizens and the importance of voting.
National Constitution Day, also referred to as The Constitution and Citizenship Day, is a day dedicated to education. The main purpose of public education is to have a knowledgeable citizenry that is capable of making informed voting decisions.
Teachers are bound by federal decree to provide commemorative information about the Constitution. When the date falls on a weekend, schools receiving federal funds are mandated to observe the holiday on an adjacent weekday.
Teachers who need help preparing for the holiday can download and print free constitutional worksheets. See www.education.com/worksheets.
The Constitution was established so that, especially during times of crisis, government leaders cannot usurp the rights of “We the People.” In an effort to balance power, the U.S. Constitution establishes three branches of government.
Surprisingly, the first branch of government is not the President. Article 1, Section 1 states that, “All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of Senate and House of Representatives.” Briefly put, all federal laws are made by Congress.
The President, as head of the Executive Branch, has no power to make laws but “shall take care that the Laws [enacted by Congress] be faithfully executed.” The Constitution carefully defines the duties of the President; generally, the President’s actions regarding foreign affairs are to be done “by and with the consent of the Senate.”
Other Presidential actions are guided by Congress as a whole. The judicial branch, made up of judges and the Supreme Court, comes into play when there is a question about a law. The power of this third branch lies in determining which laws are constitutional.
The Constitution states that all powers that are not specifically defined as federal powers remain with the states, known as “States’ Rights.” The first ten amendments in the Constitution are called “The Bill of Rights.”
The writers of the Constitution wanted a provision to protect citizens as individuals. In the interest of time, they signed the basic Constitution but agreed to immediately create amendments to ensure the rights of the People.
During a recent health crisis, many public officials neglected their oath to the Constitution. Instead, many blindly followed mandates of officials and agencies that conflicted with the Constitution. The oath to uphold the Constitution is certainly challenging during uncertain times, but it is exactly because uncertain times come that constitutional mandates are necessary.
Constitution and Citizenship Day is a federal holiday that is recognized locally in our schools and in the greater community. Citizens should use the day to review the basics of the Constitution, post on social media or visit someone who has become a naturalized citizen. Those who have sworn an oath to the Constitution of the United States should review the document as well.
On Wednesday next week, teachers in class and citizens at large should prepare to talk about the importance of the United States Constitution.
(Janet Miller is a freelance writer specializing in family faith. She offers Family Prayers and Activities: Weekly Guides on compact disc for families to explore the Bible together. Email jmiller@dospalos.org.)
