September 17, 2011

Celebrate the 224^th birthday of the U.S. Constitution!

After months of debate, the final draft of the Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787.

Quiz: Which Founder Are You?

Local Events

In celebration of Constitution Day, the Library of Virginia will display one of only twelve original signed copies of the Bill of Rights. It will be on view in the lobby of the Library of Virginia from 10:00 AM-4:30 PM on September 16 and from 10:00 AM-3:00 PM on September 17. At noon on September 16, there will be a public reading of the Bill of Rights, as adopted, on the staircase landing of the Library, announced outside the building by an 18th century town crier. This piece of Virginia's and the nation's history is rarely on public display and was last exhibited on September 11, 2002. Take advantage of this opportunity to see an important piece of our nation's history!

A Few Facts...

• The U.S. Constitution has 4,440 words. It is the oldest and shortest written constitution of any major government in the world.


• The Constitution was "penned" by Jacob Shallus, a Pennsylvania General Assembly clerk, for $30 ($738 today).


• The word "democracy" does not appear once in the Constitution.


• Amendments to the Constitution proposed but never ratified: Abolish the US Senate (1876), Renaming the country "The United States of the Earth" (1893), All acts of war being put to a national vote, and anyone voting yes had to register for the US Army (1916), and Limit personal wealth to $1 million (1933).

Jordan, Terry L. The U.S. Constitution and Fascinating Facts About It. Naperville: Oak Hill Publishing Company, 2011.

Links for More Info...

• RBC Library Constitution Day Brochure


• DAR Constitution Hall - In 1929, the Daughters of the American Revolution dedicated this performance venue to the signing of the Constitution. Mrs. Calvin Coolidge laid the cornerstone, and every president since has attended events at Constitution Hall.


• Biographies of the Signers of the US Constitution


• Library of Congress: Primary Documents related to the US Constitution


• National Archives Experience: Constitution of the United States


• National Constitution Center: Interactive Constitution


• The White House: The Constitution