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Constitution Day is Sept. 17

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Above / Remember to recognize Constitution Day on Sept. 17 with thoughts of the creation of the document that is the fundamental law of the American federal system. A copy of the Constitution is included in the Freedom Shrine, the collection of historic document replicas that has been presented to local schools from the Exchange Club of Naperville.


Updated Post, Sept. 16, 2021 / Constitution Day is Sept. 17

September 17 is the date set aside every year to celebrate Constitution Day in the United States. Since 1956, Constitution Week has been recognized annually from September 17-23 by resolution of the United States Congress as a result of a National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) petition. 

“For seven years prior to her death, Bettye Wehrli, a member of Naperville’s DAR Fort Payne Chapter, was an enthusiastic promoter of this annual celebration of our Constitution, partnering with the Naperville Public Library,” said Candice Peel for the Fort Payne Chapter. “Our Chapter wishes to continue to honor Bettye’s commitment to the Constitution with annual exhibits. During Constitution Week the Children’s sections of Naperville’s three branches will have informative displays about our Constitution, including books and an opportunity for children to sign their names to a scroll as did the original signers of the document.”  

The Positively Naperville website features numerous posts about the U.S, Constitution and the freedoms it provides. While you visiting this website, simply search “Constitution” or click here.

Original Post, Sept. 17, 2018 / To commemorate Constitution Day, photos from a previous display organized by the Daughters of the American Revolution at Nichols Library are presented here.

george-wash-constitutional-convention
General George Washington is depicted as a statesman at the Constitutional Convention when the Constitution of the United States was created in 1787.

September 17 is the date set aside every year to celebrate Constitution Day in the United States. 

In 1787, 39 of our nation’s founders gathered in the Pennsylvania State House to create the Constitution of the United States of America that later was ratified on June 21, 1788.

This document—carefully created 11 years after the Declaration of Independence was signed and almost six years after our fledgling nation defeated the British forces at Yorktown to win the Revolutionary War— changed the world.

For the first time in history, in what is often considered “America’s Great Experiment,” We The People ruled themselves by establishing a limited government based on law and consent of the governed. Power was with The People, not with a ruler.

Unalienable rights came from God, not from a king.

13-states
A 1783 map shows the original 13 States and their land claims.  On May 29, 1790, Rhode Island became the last of the 13 original states to ratify the Constitution.

13 original states eventually ratified the Constitution

A system of checks and balances was integral to the design of the new government, to prevent any one of the three branches—legislative, executive and judicial—of government from gaining too much control.

To preserve these fragile freedoms for future generations, the founders understood that an educated electorate needed to be informed about the issues that impacted their government and their lives.

The Constitution, which includes the Bill of Rights, has guaranteed individual freedom and liberty for more than 231 years, and it has inspired freedom throughout the world. Today there are 27 amendments to the Constitution.

Observing Constitution Day is one way to honor and better understand these important documents that are the foundation of freedoms in our constitutional republic.

The Cmdr. Dan Shanower September 11 Memorial is just steps from the Freedom Shrine.

Freedom is fragile and must be protected every day.  As folks are reminded every day when they visit the Cmdr. Dan Shanower September 11 Memorial along the Naperville Riverwalk, “Freedom isn’t free.”

freedom-isnt'-free-shrine
The Freedom Shrine features a display of copies of historic documents, including the Constitution of the United States. Every day of the year, find the Freedom Shrine on the exterior wall of the Naperville Municipal Center, near the location of the September 11 Memorial.

Preamble of The Constitution of the United States

WE THE PEOPLE of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish 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.


Amendments

The first Ten Amendments to the Constitution were passed by Congress on Sept. 25, 1789, and ratified by three/fourths of the States on Dec. 15, 1791.

Those ten Articles, ie. amendments, proposed by Congress are provided for in the fifth article of the original Constitution.

To all Americans who respect the free press and personal freedom, Article I particularly resonates:

Article I / Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abriding the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

Link to the Constitution of the United States / Individuals interested in reading the entire document will find it takes about one hour. However, considering all the volumes that have been written about the fundamental law of the American federal system—many available at Naperville Public Library— understanding the many ways it’s been interpreted could require a lifetime.


Vote for liberty and justice for all on Nov. 6, 2018

ARTICLE I establishes the legislative branch of the federal government, the United States Congress. The Congress is a bicameral legislature consisting of a House of Representatives and a Senate.

Though Illinois is not electing either of its two Senators in this election, Naperville voters will be electing Representatives to serve two-year terms in the 6th, 11th and 14th Congressional Districts.

Be prepared to vote in the General Election on Tues., Nov. 6, 2018. Check out all the hopefuls on the ballot who want to serve Naperville in DuPage and Will counties, Springfield and Washington, D.C.

Consolidated Election is April 2, 2019 

Municipal Election Petitions for City Council candidacy, including Mayor, are now available in the Naperville City Clerk’s office. Candidates could begin passing petitions on Tues., Aug. 28, 2018. Filing period for packets begins Mon., Nov. 19, 2018.

Petition packets for candidates aiming to serve local school boards in School District 203 or School District 204 are available at the DuPage County Administration Building in Wheaton.

Petition packets to run for Naperville Park District Board of Commissioners are available at the NPD Administration Building, Jackson Avenue at Mill Street.

A Consolidated Primary Election will be held on Tues., February 26, 2019, if more than four candidates file for any one office, or if there are more than 16 candidates for Council or four candidates for Mayor.

The Consolidated Election, including Naperville City Council, boards for Naperville Park District (petitions at NPD) and School Districts 203 and 204 (petition packets via DuPage County) will take place on Tues., April 2, 2019. 

Thanks for reading the Constitution. Thanks, too, to all candidates for reading the supreme law of the land in order to serve the city, county, state or United States.

 

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PN Editor
PN Editor
An editor is someone who prepares content for publishing. It entered English, the American Language, via French. Its modern sense for newspapers has been around since about 1800.

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