We the People: Why the Constitution still matters
Every year, from September 17 to September 23, Americans observe Constitution Week – a time to remember the remarkable document that established the framework of our government and continues to shape our nation more than two centuries after it was written.
The United States Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, in Philadelphia. It was the result of months of difficult discussions, disagreements, and compromises among delegates who did not always agree about what the new nation should look like. Yet they shared an important goal: creating a government strong enough to serve the people while protecting their freedom.
After the American Revolution, the newly independent states were governed under the Articles of Confederation. The Articles created a national government, but that government was intentionally weak. It had difficulty raising money, regulating commerce and addressing problems that affected the country as a whole. By the 1780s, many American leaders believed a stronger national government was necessary. In 1787, delegates gathered in Philadelphia for what became known as the Constitutional Convention. Rather than simply revising the Articles, the delegates created an entirely new plan for government.
Constitution Week gives us an opportunity to look back at the remarkable achievement of the men who gathered in Philadelphia in 1787. But it is also an opportunity to look forward.
As we observe Constitution Week, we can take a moment to appreciate what those three words – “We the People” – really mean.
The Constitution belongs to all of us. It is a continuing promise that the government derives its power from the people, that individual liberty matters, and that our differences can be addressed through laws and institutions. More than 235 years after it was signed, that remains something worth remembering – and worth protecting.
The Botetourt County Chapter of the NSDAR encourages everyone to celebrate Constitution Week September 17 -23.
Botetourt County DAR
