HAPPY CONSTITUTION DAY!

Today, in 1787, the Constitution of the United States of America was ratified.

And it begins like this:

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

There are seven articles to the Constitution and they define:

• The legislative branch
• The executive branch
• The judicial branch
• The states' power
• How to amend the Constitution
• Federal authority
• Ratification

There are 27 amendments to the Constitution (you'll have to look all them up yourselves) but the first ten are called the Bill of Rights:

• The First Amendment guarantees freedom of speech, religion, the press, assembly and the right to petition the government for the redress of grievances
• The Second Amendment guarantees the rights of the States regarding militias and the right to keep and bear arms
• The Third Amendment guarantees the right not to have soldiers quartered in any citizen's homes, in time of peace
• The Fourth Amendment guarantees protection against unreasonable search and seizure
• The Fifth Amendment guarantees protection against self incrimination, double jeopardy, guarantees due process and eminent domain
• The Sixth Amendment guarantees us all a fair trial
• The Seventh Amendment guarantees the right to a Civil Trial
• The Eight Amendment guarantees protection against excessive bail and cruel and unusual punishment
• The Ninth Amendment states that there are other rights enjoyed by the people yet not listed in the first eight.
• The Tenth Amendment guarantees that the rights not spelled out in the Constitution and not prohibited by the states are, nevertheless still to be enjoyed by the people

HAPPY CONSTITUTION DAY, EVERYONE

Go read it for your self. Including the Bill of Rights. Aloud if necessary.

Yes, it's important.