by Ambassador Callista L. Gingrich and Speaker Newt Gingrich
Almost 240 years ago in Philadelphia, 39 delegates to the Constitutional Convention signed the U.S. Constitution on Sept. 17, 1787. Eleven years after the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, this historic event marked an important milestone for our remarkable experiment in self-government.
Symbolically, the signing of the U.S. Constitution was the reward for years of toil and bloodshed in the Revolutionary War. It sent a signal to the world that the principles of freedom, liberty, and elected government would prevail. In a more practical sense, it was the official start of the United States government.
For more than two centuries, states and local governments recognized Constitution Day in various ways. Some named it “I am an American Day” or “Citizenship Day.” However, it was not federally recognized until 2004, when former Sen. Robert Byrd offered the Constitution Day amendment to the fiscal year 2005 Consolidated Appropriations Act.
- Is Tom Steyer the Craziest Democrat?Steyer’s craziness is illustrated by his immigration policy.
- Europe Must Face RealityThis growing gap between the United States and Europe has left Europe without the extra money to invest in defense and in space.
- Respecting Your EnemiesWe are a long way from this kind of strategic focus and yet it will be the key to an acceptable future.
- A Swiss Warning Bares the Implications of an Older, Greyer, and Smaller WestThe entire pattern of younger people having more children, who then had more children, is broken.
- If We Lose ChicagoLooking at the consequences of Iran acquiring destructive weapons.