Freedom of speech, religion and the right to vote are all privileges U.S. citizens have as part of their Constitutional rights.
But how much do Americans actually know about the Constitution?
“Not just students, but most Americans period lack understanding . about this very important document that impacts and affects our lives,” said Dr. Elwood Watson, associate professor of history at ETSU.
Sophomore Lindsey Raines, however, disagrees. “It seems to me the government doesn’t even go by the Constitution anymore,” she said.
ETSU’s second annual Constitution Day celebration will be held in Room 102 of Rogers-Stout Hall Tuesday at 6 p.m.
The purpose of the event is to help Americans improve their knowledge of the U.S. Constitution, and Constitution Day was established by the U.S. Department of Education in order to recognize the impor-tance of the Constitution.
“That is a very precious document and we better not fiddle around with it,” Dr. Ronald Giles said to his English class.
James Madison, fourth U.S. president and the father of the Constitution, wrote, “Do not separate text from historical background. If you do, you will have perverted and subverted the Constitution, which can only end in a distorted, bastardized form of illegitimate government.”
The U.S. Constitution was signed by 39 delegates from the Constitutional Convention on Sept. 17, 1787, and was officially ratified in 1789. The Bill of Rights was not added until two years later. An original copy of the document is housed in the National Archives building in Washington, D.C.
According to www.constitutionday.com, retired U.S. Army Gen. Colin Powell will “lead the nationwide annual traditional recitation of the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution on Monday Sept. 18, 2006.” Powell’s recitation will take place at 2 p.m. EST. The Web site also noted that the recitation will be dedicated to and in honor of our military.
The ETSU event will include a professional panel of experts moderated by Watson. Panel speakers will include professors from the departments of philosophy, psychology, history, and communications, as well as the Rev. David Balzer.
“You will get to look at the Constitution from philosophical, psychological, historical, and rhetorical perspectives,” Watson said.
“We had about 50 people last year, so hopefully we’ll have even more come,” Watson said.
The event is open to the public. A question and answer session will follow.
Constitution Day is sponsored by the ETSU history department, Buctainment, the Center for Community Engagement, Learning, and Leadership and the Division of Student Affairs.

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