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, the City of Naperville, and the Judd Kendall VFW Post 3873 as a gift from the Exchange Club of Naperville.
To commemorate Constitution Day, two photos from a previous display organized by the Daughters of the American Revolution at Nichols Library are presented in this post. For 2019, the Fort Payne DAR chapter’s Constitution Week displays are featured at all three Naperville libraries and the Lisle Library.
September 17 is the date set aside every year to celebrate Constitution Day in the United States, though every day we find we appreciate the value of this document written not only to serve the 18th century but generations to come well into the future.
It’s often reported that the broad language of the Constitution is enhanced by the principles set forth in the Declaration of Independence. Indeed, for more than 243 years, the Declaration, later complemented by the Constitution, has inspired countless millions around the world.
On Sept. 17, 1787, 39 of our nation’s founders gathered in the Pennsylvania State House in Philadelphia 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 were recognized as coming from God, not from a king.
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 (10 amendments) has guaranteed individual freedom and liberty for more than 232 years, and it has inspired freedom throughout the world.
Since 1791, 27 amendments ( including the Bill of Rights) have been ratified and added to the Constitution. The 27th Amendment, ratified in 1992, requires that any change to the rate of compensation for members of the U.S. Congress to take effect only after the subsequent election in the House of Representatives.
Taking time to observe Constitution Day is one way to honor and better understand these important documents that are the foundation of freedoms in our constitutional republic.
Find copies of the original documents online or encased in the Freedom Shrine. A visit to the Freedom Shine provides an opportunity to compare and contrast the historic documents all at the same time.
Freedom is fragile and must be protected every day. As folks are reminded whenever they visit the Cdr. Dan Shanower September 11 Memorial along the Naperville Riverwalk, “Freedom isn’t free.”
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.
The First Amendment in the Bill of Rights
The first Ten Amendments to the Constitution, also known as the Bill of Rights, 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 Article 5 of the original Constitution.
To all Americans who respect the free press and personal freedom, Article I of the Bill of Rights particularly resonates:
Article I / Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging 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 the Constitution has been interpreted could require a lifetime.
Vote for liberty and justice for all in local, state & federal elections
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.
The Legislative Branch writes the laws.
Naperville voters elect U.S. Representatives to serve two-year terms in the 6th, 11th and 14th Congressional Districts.
Naperville voters elect two U.S. Senators for six-year terms.
The next General Election, when voters will nominate/elect Federal, State, and County Officials as well as Precinct Committeemen will be Nov. 3, 2020.
The General Presidential Election is Nov. 3, 2020
General Elections typically attract the most voters.
(Note also that the Constitution also created two other branches of the federal government: ARTICLE II created the Executive Branch to enforce the laws and ARTICLE III created the Judicial Branch to interpret the laws.
Looking to change the Constitution of the United States? ARTICLE V details how to amend it.)
The next Consolidated Primary Election is Feb. 23, 2021
Municipal Election Petitions for City Council candidacy, (Not the Mayor in 2021), will become available in late 2020.
Petition packets for candidates aiming to serve local school boards in School District 203 or School District 204 will be available at the DuPage County Administration Building in Wheaton.
Petition packets to run for Naperville Park District Board of Commissioners will be available at the NPD Administration Building, Jackson Avenue at Mill Street.
The next Consolidated Election is April 6, 2021
This Consolidated Election is for City Council, Park District Board of Commissioners, School District 203 and 204 Boards of Education and College of DuPage Board of Trustees.
Thanks for reading the supreme law of the land!
Thanks for reading the Charters of Freedom and the Constitution. Thanks, too, to all candidates for reading the supreme law of the land in advance and in order to serve Naperville, DuPage County, Will County, Illinois or United States.
And thanks to the City of Naperville for providing a place to pause and reflect about freedom and all who have served to protect it.
