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Constitution Day: More Fun!

The Constitution was signed on September 17th in 1787.

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OMG WTF Does the Constitution Actually Say?: A Non-Boring Guide to How Our Democracy Is Supposed to Work - Presented by US National Archives 

Previously recorded on September 17, 2020

In his book, OMG WTF Does the Constitution Actually Say?, political savant and entertainment veteran, Ben Sheehan, provides an entertaining and accessible guide that explains what the Constitution actually lays out while putting it in modern-day English so that it can be understood. Vetted for accuracy by experts in the field of constitutional law. Autographed copies of the book will be available for purchase via the National Archives book store.

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The national civic education initiative from the National Archives promotes civic literacy and engagement. They have interactive educational opportunities for teachers and students from National Archives educators located nationwide! Check out their calendar of events for this year's Constitution Day!

Fun Facts

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Facts about the Constitution and Constitution Day: 1. Thomas Jefferson never signed it: Some very important Founding Fathers never actually signed the Constitution. Thomas Jefferson, for example, was away in Paris serving as an ambassador to France. 2. “Pennsylvania” is spelled wrong at the top In the list of signatories: Pennsylvania is spelled with just one ‘N.’ 3. The right to vote isn’t defined: Because the Constitution did not set out rules for who gets to vote, minority groups have gained suffrage through subsequent amendments. 4. Less than 1% of constitutional amendments pass: Of 11,600 proposed amendments, only 27 have been ratified, making the chance of passing an amendment 0.23% — or, rounded down, 0. 5. Ben Franklin had to be carried: The aging statesman had to be carried to and from the Convention meetings due to his poor health, and needed assistance signing the document. 6. "I am an American Day"= Constitution Day: In 1940, Congress and the President passed a resolution creating “I Am an American Day." In 1952, the holiday was renamed to “Constitution Day” and moved to September 17, the day in 1787 that the Constitution was signed. Source: https://nationaltoday.com/constitution-day/

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