Daily Archives: September 19, 2014

Happy Constitution Week Day #5

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Today is the final day of Constitution Week, but the Constitution is a document that deserves thought and attention every day!  So just because the week is over, don’t stop looking for ways that the Constitution can interact with your daily life!

Did you know that the Constitution of the United States is the shortest one in the world? The document drafted in 1787 totaled 4,400 words. The entire original document takes up four pages, each one measuring about 29 by 24 inches (73 by 60 centimeters). With the signature section, there are 4,543 words, and including all of the amendments brings the total up to 7,591.

And did you also know that nowhere in the Constitution is the word “democracy” used? The government established by the Founders is a republic, a system of government in which the people elect representatives to do the governing for them!

Speaking of the Constitution, there’s an essay competition out there for students to write about the Bill of Rights!

The process is easy: students should click this link. After registering, they simply provide basic information and answer this question in 800 words or less: “Since you were born, has America moved closer to or further away from the ideals outlined in the Declaration of Independence?”
The first prize winner will receive $5,000, second prize $3,000, and third prize $1,500! Students that submit essays by November 15, 2014 are also eligible for one of five $100 Early Bird cash prizes.
The competition is sponsored by the Bill of Rights Institute, and the entry deadline is December 5, 2014.
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