Tag: Constitution

March 16th Freedom of Information Day

March Holidays

Get ready to mark your calendars and celebrate because March 16th is Freedom of Information Day! This special day not only honors the birthday of James Madison, the “Father of the Constitution” and chief author of the “Bill of Rights”, but also recognizes the importance of transparency in government.

Thanks to the Freedom of Information Act, passed in 1966, citizens have the right to access government information in all areas except for a few exceptions such as national defense and criminal investigations. It’s a powerful tool for holding our government accountable and ensuring that they’re working for the benefit of the people they serve.

Of course, the idea of transparency in government is easier said than done. Many politicians talk the talk when it comes to open government, but few actually walk the walk. That’s why it’s up to us, the citizens, to learn our rights, stay informed, and hold our elected officials accountable for their actions.

So, how can you celebrate Freedom of Information Day? Start by educating yourself about your rights and the Freedom of Information Act. Take the time to read up on government policies and how they affect your life. And always, always fact-check what you hear from politicians and news sources. By doing these things, you’re doing your part to ensure that our government remains transparent and accountable to the people it serves.

So go ahead, celebrate Freedom of Information Day and let’s work together to keep our democracy strong and transparent!

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December 15th Bill of Rights Day

December holidays

The Constitution was ratified on March 7th, 1789 and Congress instantly started work on Amendments to the Constitution finding 12 items they wished to change. The hard work got started on September 25th, 1789 but only 10 Amendments were actually put in place on December 15th, 1791. Of course we know about the right to bear arms and to practice what religion we choose, the freedom of the press and the freedom of assembly. These are important rights to know… so how many do you know? All ten? Do you know which two did not pass? Check them out… it’s your duty to know.

How to celebrate – Learn YOUR Bill of Rights. Learn how your government works. Learn how Amendments are added to the Constitution.

September 17th Constitution Day

September Holidays

Of course we all know about the Declaration of Independence and we all talk about the Constitution we kind of mush the two things together. They are not the same documents. Constitutional Congress last met on September 17th, 1787 to sign the Constitution, a work long labored over that guides and protects citizens of the United States. It is not perfect, but strives to be as comprehensive as possible, including all as best as the forefathers could imagine at the time. The document went into effect on March 4th, 1789.

How to celebrate – Read the Constitution. Appreciate the efforts of those men far beyond their time. Try to come up with a better Constitution yourself.

September 17th Citizenship Day

September Holidays

To be a citizen of any country means holding both the benefits as well as the responsibilities of being a part of that country. Here in the US we hold these truths to be self evident on today, US Constitution Day. The day was created in 1952 by President Harry S. Truman and it was played around with over the years by Congress but wound back up on the day Truman set it because it falls on US Constitution Day. Good plan to start with, as most things seem to be until Congress gets a chance to mess with them.

How to celebrate – Take time to think about what being a citizen and the US Constitution means. Read the Constitution. Be proud of being an American.

December 15th Bill of Rights Day

December holidays

When the Constitution was written the founders realized that they had perhaps left out a few things. So on September 25, 1789 they began to consider some changes that might need to be added. They called them the Bill of Rights and proposed 12 changes. On December 15th, 1791 10 changes were made, 2 failed to pass. In all there have been 17 amendments to the constitution. Not bad considering the constitution is over 200 years old! Guess the Founding Fathers were pretty smart!

How to celebrate – How many of the original 10 amendments can you name without looking? Can you name the two original amendments that failed to pass? Can you name the 7 amendments that have passed since 1791?

December 15th Bill of Rights Day

December holidays

On March 9th, 1789 the Constitution of the United States was ratified by Congress. It seems like the day after, the Founding Fathers began to think about things they did not include in the Constitution that maybe they should have. So they began to make amendments to the constitution, considered the Bill of Rights, that applied to everyone in the country. The first amendments were made on September 25th, 1789. Originally there were twelve amendments proposed but only ten of the twelve were added to the constitution. There have been more and more amendments added since then, always with deep thought and consideration before being added. There will probably be more as time moves on. Today we celebrate that document, and those added later on, making us who we are.

How to celebrate – Read the Amendments to the Constitution. Read the Amendments that have been proposed but not added. Think up what Amendments you might add to the Constitution.

September 17th Constitution Day

September Holidays

We all know about the Declaration of Independence but one of the more important documents drawn up by the founding fathers is the Constitution, and most of us are less understanding of it. Today, in 1787 Congress began its drafting of the Constitution; finally completing it on March 4th 1789. Since then it has gone through many amendments, adjusting those original thoughts and laws as set up by the first vote. There have been 27 amendments and there will continue to be amendments as society changes. However, to think, that over 200 years only 27 original thoughts and regulations have been made is rather amazing. Guess our founding fathers really did know what they were doing!

How to celebrate – Throw a Constitution party! See how many of the amendments you can name. See how many of the founding fathers you can name.

December 15th Bill of Rights Day

December holidays, Unboxing the Bizarre

Today we celebrate the Bill of Rights, an addition to the Constitution that was ratified on March 4th, 1789 with the promise that the Bill of Rights would be added at a later date. Our Founders did not want a government that had no concern for it’s citizens, as was the norm across Europe.

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James Madison proposed 19 amendments to the Constitution that gave the public rights not found in other countries at the time. 12 of those 19 were considered. the first 2 were not accepted, concerning the number or representatives and the pay for those representatives. 10, however, were voted on and accepted, making them a part of the United States government.

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The process started on September 25, 1789 and added on December 15th, 1789.  The first was the freedom of speech, the press and religion. Second came the right to bear arms. Protection of homeowners from quartering troops, unless during war and unreasonable search and seizure became the 3rd and 4th. The 5th is the promise of the process of law and protection against double jeopardy and self-incrimination.

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6th was the right to a speedy trial by peers and the rights of the accused. A trial by jury in civil cases, the protection from cruel and unusual punishment with no excessive bail. The protection of rights not specified in the Bill of Rights and that the states maintained their rights over the Central Government followed.

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We may take these rights for granted today but they were totally new and untried before the forming of the government of the United States. I sometimes wonder at the brillance of our Founding Fathers. The Bill of rights has had numerous amendments since 1789 but the fact that they provided for such changes is amazing.

How to celebrate – Enjoy your rights and protect them. Study the United States foundations. Read about the additional amendments that have been added.

September 17th Constitution Day

September Holidays, Unboxing the Bizarre

We celebrate our Constitution today, a document that literally took years to draft. It was finally agreed upon on September 17th, 1787. It did not go into effect until March 4th, 1789. This is the document that makes us who we are. Whether you like it or not, believe in it or not, accept it or not… it is the law and moral fiber of those that formed this Union.

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This country has been through a lot, including a Civil War that tried desperately to divide the Union. So far, it has held together. Personally I believe the founders were brilliant men, of course they had suffered through and tried to avoid all the pitfalls they had seen from other forms of government.

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There have been changes, arranged for by those founding the document, in the forms of amendments. They knew their document would need to be adjusted over the years, they even planned for it.

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Now no one knows the future and if we are smart, we will learn from our past. Is the constitution perfect? Probably not, but it is as perfect as humans can ever be. Try and find a better written document, I don’t think you will. Anything that starts out, “We he People”, cannot be all bad.

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How to celebrate – Read the constitution. Read the amendments. Study our founding fathers.

December 15th Bill of Rights Day

December holidays, Unboxing the Bizarre

On March 4th, 1789 the Constitution was ratified. On September 25, 1789 12 Amendments were proposed to the Constitution. On December 15th, 1791 10 of those Amendments were ratified becoming a part of the Constitution.

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Among those 10 are: 1.) The Freedom of Speech, Press and Religion. 2.) The right to bear arms. 3.) Protection of homeowners from quartering troops, except during war. 4.) The right and protection against unreasonable search and seizure. 5.) The right of due process of law, protection against double jeopardy, self incrimination.

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6.) The right of a speedy trial by jury of peers and rights of the accused. 7.) The right to trail by jury in civil cases. 8.) Protection from cruel and unusual punishment, excessive bail. 9.) Protection of rights not specified in the Bill of Rights. 10.) States rights, power of the States.

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It is amazing how this group of men could write a document that has lasted so long and been right so many times. There have been many additional amendments but these first 10 cover so much of what we honor even today. (By the way, amendment 10 is the real cause of the Civil War and an issue we still deal with today.)

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Oh, and the two that were not adopted… well both had to do with how many Congressmen there would be and what they were to be paid. Had the amendment been accepted there would be over 6,000 Congressmen today!

How to celebrate – Read and understand what the Bill of Rights mean, don’t just assume you know because of what someone else has told you. Name one other country that has a better constitution and bill of rights. Salute the flag that stands for the constitution and bill of rights.