Constitution DayConstitution Day

September 17thSeptember 17th

Play the GamePlay the GameIt’s time to play a little game.It’s time to play a little game.No two groups will play the same.No two groups will play the same.What and how is up to you.What and how is up to you.The group must choose what it will do.The group must choose what it will do.Use the things that you find here.Use the things that you find here.It won’t take long; you need not fear.It won’t take long; you need not fear.In six short minutes you’ll share your fameIn six short minutes you’ll share your fameBy telling how you played your game.By telling how you played your game.

How did it feel to play your How did it feel to play your game?game?

Were you confused?Were you confused? Did you like the game?Did you like the game? Did you know what to do?Did you know what to do? Were you excited?Were you excited?

How do you think it felt to write the How do you think it felt to write the Constitution?Constitution?

Writing the ConstitutionWriting the Constitution

The Framers of the The Framers of the Constitution met Constitution met from May to from May to September of 1787. September of 1787. The meeting was The meeting was called the called the Convention.Convention.

9 of the 13 states 9 of the 13 states had to agree to the had to agree to the Constitution. Constitution. Pennsylvania was Pennsylvania was the second state to the second state to ratify (agree to) the ratify (agree to) the Constitution.Constitution.

The Constitution The Constitution is the highest law is the highest law in the United in the United States. It States. It explains how our explains how our government government works.works.

The only way to The only way to change the change the Constitution is to Constitution is to make an make an amendment.amendment.

The first 10 The first 10 amendments are amendments are the the Bill of RightsBill of Rights..

The PreambleThe Preamble

Explains the purpose of our Explains the purpose of our governmentgovernment

Explains who created the Explains who created the Constitution.Constitution.

Establish JusticeEstablish Justice

Insure Domestic TranquilityInsure Domestic Tranquility

Provide a Common DefenseProvide a Common Defense

Promote the General WelfarePromote the General Welfare

Secure the Blessing of LibertySecure the Blessing of Liberty

Did You Know……Did You Know…… The U.S. Constitution is the oldest and The U.S. Constitution is the oldest and

shortest of any government in the entire shortest of any government in the entire world.world.

It has 4,400 words.It has 4,400 words. Pennsylvania is misspelled above the Pennsylvania is misspelled above the

signers’ names.signers’ names. Jacob Shallus was paid $30 to “pen” the Jacob Shallus was paid $30 to “pen” the

constitution.constitution.

James Madison is named “The Father of James Madison is named “The Father of the Constitution.”the Constitution.”

Rhode Island was not at the Convention.Rhode Island was not at the Convention. Thomas Jefferson did not sign the Thomas Jefferson did not sign the

Constitution. He was in France at the Constitution. He was in France at the time.time.

Benjamin Franklin needed help to sign Benjamin Franklin needed help to sign the Constitution. Tears rolled down his the Constitution. Tears rolled down his face as he did so.face as he did so.

The oldest person to sign was Ben The oldest person to sign was Ben Franklin (81), the youngest was Jonathan Franklin (81), the youngest was Jonathan Dayton (26).Dayton (26).

The United States population was 4 The United States population was 4 million when the Constitution was million when the Constitution was signed. It is now 250 million.signed. It is now 250 million.