Countdown to Constitution Day

Senator Robert C. Byrd, a West Virginia Democrat and the United States Congress' unofficial constitutional scholar, believed that the American primary, secondary, and post-secondary students lack significant knowledge regarding the United States Constitution. In December 2004, Senator Byrd offered an amendment that was passed by both the United States House of Representatives and the Unites States Senate in an attempt to increase students' knowledge about the constitution.

The legislation requires that all educational institutions that receive federal funds implement educational programs relating to the United States Constitution on September 17 of each year. September 17th was selected as the date for the celebration due to the fact that on September 17, 1787 the delegates to the Constitutional Convention met for the last time to sign the United States Constitution and present it to the American Public. 

Since 2012 is an election year, we have launched a "Countdown to Constitution Day" on August 17,2012 to enhance the information that we "push out" to the Loyola community using our Facebook , Twitter and Google+ accounts.

• August 17,2012 - Join us in "Counting Down to Constitution Day" as we also prepare to choose a President in November - link: http://www.constitutionday.com/
• August 18, 2012 - Before the Constitution, there was the Declaration of Independence. Our countdown to Constitution Day continues... The Declaration of Independence (You Tube)
• August 19, 2012 - Charters of Freedom -The First Constitution: The Articles of Confederation and Which Founding Father Are You?
• August 20. 2012 - Faithful Citizenship: A  Matter of Conscience
• August 21, 2012 - Charters of Freedom : The Constitutional Convention - Creating the Constitution
  • Three Branches of Government (video)
• August 22, 2012 - Constututional Priciples:representative Government
• August 23, 2012 -  VIDEO: The Bill of Rights (part One)
• August 24, 2012 -  VIDEO: The Bill of Rights (part two)
• August 25, 2012 - Faith and the Voting Booth
• August 26, 2012 - This is a warm up for the start of classes on Monday. Get ready for Constitution Day by taking this true or false quiz.
• August 27, 2012 - The 19th Amendment was ratified on August 26,  1920
  • August 28, 2012 -  The Fight for Women's Sufferage
  • August 29, 2012 -  Leaders in the U.S. Women's Sufferage  Movement
• August 30, 2012 - Life Without the Bill of Rights
• August 31, 2012  - Madison's Notes Are Missing
• September 1, 2012 - First Amendment: Freedom of the Press (1791)
• September 2, 2012 - Constitutional  Principles - the Separation of Powers
• September 3, 2012 - The Stafford Act -- when can the federal government intervene is a state's daily operations?
• September 4, 2012 -Which Civic Values are Reflected in the Constitution?
• September 5, 2012 -  1st Amendment - Freedom of Speech
• September 6, 2012 - 1st Amendment: Freedom of the Press
• September 7, 2012-  VIDEO: Consent of the Governed
• September 8, 2012 - The Bill of Rights (song) and 14th Amendment:Equal Protection Clause - What does it mean to you?
• September 9, 2012- VIDEO: The Rule of Law
• September 10, 2012 - Questions and Answers About the Constitution and VIDEO: The History of Voting by Rock the Vote
• September 11, 2012 - Fascinating Facts About the Founding Fathers
  
  • Women In the American Revolution
• September 12, 2012 - The 26th Amendment Lowers the Voting Age to 18
• September 13, 2012  - Is the United States a Republic or a Democracy ?
• September 14, 2012 - What would New Orleans be like if the 18th Amendment had NOT been repealed ?
• September 15, 2012 - Constitution Facts: Real or Fake?
  • VIDEO:The Constitutional Convention of 1787
• September 16, 2012 -Screencast on Responsibility to Vote
• September 17, 2012 --Happy Constitution Day!

Potential Topics and Resources:

• Catholics Care. Catholics Vote. - This simple handout educates about how Catholics can form their consciences and live out the call to participate in political life
• Famous Quotes  about the Constitution

Quizes, Games and Puzzles

• Take the Constitution IQ Quiz
• Which Founding Father Would You Vote For?
• Constitution Duel
• Landmark Supreme Court Cases

Videos:

• Constitution Day Playlist

PowerPoint Presentations:

• Free Presentations to Download
  • 10 Fast Facts About the Constitution
  • The Bill of Rights
  • The Founding Fathers (and a few mothers)

Updated September 16, 2012