In middle school I remember spending a week on memorizing the preamble to the Constitution, it was at this time that I also learned the preamble, the Constitution, and the meaning behind most of the words. In today's climate we need to get back to our inner middle school selves and revisit this historic document and what all the words are and why they hold as much weight and importance today as they did on September 17th 1787 when penned and signed. While our Declaration of Independence was a world shattering document, the Constitution has much more significance and weight in our everyday lives. I will take this opportunity to paraphrase a line from Oliver North: Who gives you the rights you and I enjoy as Americans? God, for the Constitution only protects our God given rights from the actions of the government.  With that said, the Preamble to the Constitution:

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, 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.

National Constitution Center: Constitution Day:  National Constitution Center - 525 Arch Street, Independence Mall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19106
215.409.6600

America Reads the Constitution

September 17, 2009, at 8:30 a.m.
This year, our America Reads the Constitution event will focus on Americans in Service. Individuals who serve the nation in a variety of capacities will be asked to read the Preamble to the Constitution. Invited readers include embassy officials in Kabul, Afghanistan and students and teachers from Constitution High School.

Virtual Field Trip: Signing the Constitution

September 17, 2009, at 9 a.m.
Classrooms around the country can join the National Constitution Center via live webcast for a special demonstration in Signers’ Hall about the signing of the Constitution. Participants will also learn more about the Center’s new virtual field trip program. Educators can register to join the event on the Constitution Center’s website.

Click here on September 17 by 8:45 a.m. to join the virtual field trip of Signers' Hall.
Please sign in as a "Guest" simply by typing in a screen name or your real name.

Constitution Celebration

September 17, 2009, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Visitors can learn about the three branches of government through the Balance of Powers Demonstration and the Separation of Powers Show; learn about the Pennsylvania Packet printing of the Constitution during the Decoding the Document Workshop; participate in the Articles of the Confederation to Constitution Demonstration; join in the Preamble Scramble; and learn more about the leadership styles of the founding fathers in the Leadership Tour of Signers’ Hall.

Articles of Confederation to the Constitution Demonstration

September 17, 2009, at 10 a.m., 12 p.m., and 2 p.m.
Join in this interesting demonstration about the journey our country took from the Revolution to the Constitution. Find out more about this rocky road to a Democracy.

Separation of Powers Show

September 17, 2009, at 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 2:30 p.m.
This fun and energizing show teaches you about the branches of government and how our Constitution limits government by separating power—a revolutionary idea! Take part in an educational game of tug-of-war among the three branches of government while they learn about checks and balances.

Separation of Powers Workshop

September 17, 2009, at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Dive deeper into the formation of our national government as we examine primary sources of the three branches of government.

Balance of Powers Demonstration

September 17, 2009, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Learn more about the three branches of government as you explore giant models of the Capitol, White House and Supreme Court. Public Program demonstrators lead you through an entertaining look at the buildings, the people who work in them, and the checks and balances of our government.

Constitution Birthday Party  

September 17, 2009, at 12 p.m.
Visitors can join the Center as we celebrate the birthday of the Constitution, compete with cake! Guests will also get a chance to decide whether or not to sign a giant copy of the Constitution.