On Saturday, September 17, our country celebrates its 224th birthday. Constitution Day commemorates the drafting of the U.S. Constitution and the 39 statesmen who signed it that day in 1787. This year, since the anniversary falls on a Saturday, the holiday is observed on Friday, September 16.
John Adams said the Constitution was the result of "the greatest single effort of national deliberation that the world has ever seen." His praise was not exaggerated; by this document the Founding Fathers framed a republican form of government unique in history, restrained within strictly defined lawful bounds. It set up limited powers for the legislative, executive and judicial branches. Because its authors knew governments tend toward corruption, they added a Bill of Rights — the original 10 amendments to the Constitution — stipulating all the things the Federal government is not allowed to do.
Sadly, many Americans today undervalue the worth of our founding documents and the safeguards of freedom they provide. A Pew Poll taken in May found a minority of 45 percent of Americans believe the Supreme Court should base its rulings on the original intent of the U.S. Constitution. This number is made up largely of Republicans, Tea Party members, and older Americans. Fifty percent say the Court should interpret the document based on "current-day understanding." Democrats and younger Americans tend to hold this opinion.
http://thenewamerican.com/usnews/constitution/8995-celebrating-constitution-day-2011
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