09.18.07

Constitution Signed 220 Years Ago Today

Posted in Education, Family at 1:33 am by <ADMINNICENAME>

Two hundred and twenty years ago today, the Constitution of the United States was signed by all eleven states that were in attendance at the Congressional Convention in 1787.

My nephew, Jordan, chose to educate some of his neighbors, associates, and relatives about his studies of the U.S. Constitution for his Eagle project.  This is such a unique idea  that it took months for the Eagle project to be approved, but I am glad that Jordan and his mother persevered because I have certainly been enlightened by the information my nephew shared with me. 

Did you know that this week is National Constitution Awareness Week?  Neither did I and most everyone I spoke to about Constitution Awareness Week had never heard of it before either.  Jordan provided me with a PBS documentary called “A More Perfect Union” along with a small study guide to enhance my learning experience of the circumstances that surrounded the drafting and ratification of the Constitution. 

Jordan challenged me to share my experience with others, and to consider passing it on to my children’s school teachers and administrators.  I didn’t hesitate this morning as I took this educational DVD to American Fork High and Jr. High Schools.  Both principals were receptive to the idea of showing the DVD in history classes.  It is not only legal to do so,  it is encouraged by George W. Bush to teach about the U.S. Constitution.  There is not a curriculum in place to teach about the Constitution so these five 30 minute presentations were welcomed as a possible teacher’s aids.

This documentary depicts  James Madison the author of the Constitution,  small in stature, but a brilliant, educated mind.  Thomas Jefferson, who was serving in France as an ambassador, supplied Madison with a continual flow of books about past governments, many of which failed.  James Madison devoured the information in these books prefatory to writing the Constitution.

Madison intended to amend the Articles of Confederation, but it didn’t take him long to realize that the Articles of Confederation needed to be abolished and so he began drafting  the Constitution that has so magnificently served our country for over two hundred years…………………..  For the rest of the details, consider purchasing or arranging to view this DVD.

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