宪法日
September 17th is 宪法日
On September 17, 1787, our Founding Fathers met in Philadelphia and began drafting one of the most important documents of our nation’s 历史. 宪法是 written and signed in the Assembly Room of the Pennsylvania State House, now known 作为独立厅. It established America’s national government and fundamental laws, and guaranteed certain basic rights for its citizens. Since its adoption in 1789, the The Constitution has been the primary basis for our country’s government. In 2005, Congress officially established September 17th as 宪法日, as a way to celebrate this influential document.
▪ Sets up and defines the government
▪ Protects basic rights of Americans
宪法是 written to create a government with enough power to act on a national level, but would not be a risk to fundamental rights. This was accomplished by separating the power of government into three branches, and including checks and balances on those powers to assure that no one branch of government gained supremacy.
It also provides for representation in the U.S. House of Representatives based on 国家人口. Representation based on population in the House was one of the most important components of the Constitutional Convention of 1787.
▪ A change or an addition to the Constitution
An amendment may be proposed by a two-thirds vote of both Houses of Congress, or, if two-thirds of the States request one, by a convention called for that purpose. The amendment must then be ratified by three-fourths of the State legislatures, or three-fourths of conventions called in each State for ratification.
▪ the Bill of Rights, which includes:
▪ freedom of expression
▪言论自由
▪ freedom of assembly
▪ freedom to petition the government
▪ freedom of religion
▪ the right to bear arms
Becoming part of the Constitution in 1791, the Bill of Rights were 10 amendments guaranteeing basic individual protections in relation to their government. 它保证了民事 rights and liberties to the individual such as freedom of speech and religion. It sets rules for due process of law and reserves all powers not delegated to the Federal Government to the people or the States. And it specifies that “the enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.”
We invite you to browse the Marx Library’s many Constitution-related resources or for additional information on the U.S. 宪法,见:
宪法日 (National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) )
http://edsitement.neh.gov /Constitution Day
Commemorating 宪法日 and Citizenship Day (U.S. 部门. 的教育)
http://www2.ed.gov/policy/fund/guid/constitutionday.html
National 档案: The Constitution of the United States - A Transcription http://www.Archives.gov/founding-docs/constitution-transcript
The White House: Our Government - The Constitution
http://www.whitehouse.gov/about-the-white-house/our-government/the-constitution/
United States House of Representatives: History, Art, & 档案
http://history.house.gov/Institution/Origins-Development/Origins-Development/
History: The United States Constitution
http://www.history.com/topics/united-states-constitution/constitution
Civics (History and Government) Questions for the Naturalization Test
http://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/questions-and-answers/100q.pdf
This Congressional initiative is authorized by Section 111 of Division J of Pub. L. 108-447, the "Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2005,'' Dec. 8, 2004; 118 Stat. 2809, 3344-45 (Section 111). The Assistant Deputy Secretary for Innovation and Improvement (Assistant Deputy Secretary) takes this action in order to implement this provision as it applies to educational institutions receiving Federal funding from the Department. Section 111(b) states "each educational institution that receives Federal funds for a fiscal year shall hold an educational program on the United States Constitution on September 17 of such year for the students served by the educational institution.'' For purposes of the Department's implementation of this requirement, "educational institutions'' includes but is not limited to "local educational agencies'' and "institutions of higher education'' receiving Federal funding from the Department. 适用第111条 to all educational institutions receiving Federal funding, not only those receiving Federal funding from the Department. However, the Department's authority only extends to those educational institutions receiving funding from the Department, and consequently the Department can only regulate with regard to those institutions. 第111条规定 that 宪法日 be held on September 17 of each year, commemorating the September 17, 1787 signing of the Constitution. However, when September 17 falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday, 宪法日 shall be held during the preceding or following 周. Section 111 does not authorize funds to carry out this requirement, and Section 111(d) indicates that this section shall apply "without fiscal year limitation.'' Accordingly, the Assistant Deputy Secretary intends that this notice pertain to this fiscal year and all subsequent years.