Sept. 17 is the day we annually celebrate Constitution Day as a reminder of the importance of our constitution and the foundation it provides for the enduring magnitude of the United States.
Constitution Day is a federal observance that recognizes the signing of the U.S. Constitution in Philadelphia on this day in 1787.
Here are some interesting facts about our United States Constitution:
•The Constitution has 4,400 words. It is the oldest and shortest Constitution of any major government in the world.
•Perhaps the most glaring error in the original Constitution is the misspelling of Pennsylvania as “Pensylvania.”
•Thomas Jefferson did not sign the Constitution because he was serving as a U.S. minister in France at the time of its signing. John Adams also was not present because he was serving as U.S. minister to Great Britain at the time.
•James Madison is considered the “father of the Constitution” and arrived in Philadelphia with a blueprint for the Constitution approximately three months before the convention began.
•Forty-two delegates attended the meetings. Only three of the delegates refused to sign the Constitution because it did not include a Bill of Rights: Edmund Randolph, George Mason and Elbridge Gerry.
•Benjamin Franklin, at age 81, was the oldest person to sign the Constitution and needed help signing. It was reported that tears streamed down his face as he did so.
•George Washington and James Madison were the only presidents to sign the Constitution.
•The word “democracy” does not appear in the Constitution.
•As Benjamin Franklin was leaving the statehouse following the last meeting of the convention, he was asked by a woman passerby what the new government would be. His response: “a republic, madam. If you can keep it.”
A Constitution Day celebration will occur at the Minnesota History Center on Sept. 17. Gov. Mark Dayton and Chief Justice Lorie Gildea will be present during the celebration which is formally titled, “Magna Carta: Enduring Legacy.” You may learn more about this celebration at www.mncourts.gov/magnacarta.
Happy Constitution and Citizenship Day!