Two Reasons to Celebrate...

Constitution Day and Election Day!

by Susan Soltwedel

September 09, 2008

As many of us are preparing for the warm days of summer to come to an end, many social studies teachers like myself are preparing for the excitement of Constitution Day on September 17, 2008 and the upcoming Presidential elections in November. Both of these events, one celebrating the past and the other celebrating our nations future, are exciting because we are watching history take place. Never in the course of our country's history have we ever had such diversity within our presidential elections, let alone the chance to see it unfold before our eyes. As the fall progresses, your student will be seeing and hearing a lot more about the presidential election on television, radio and internet, but how many of you know that the origins of the election process really commences within our Constitution? That is the purpose of celebrating Constitution Day this month.

Concerned about lack of knowledge of the United States Constitution, West Virginia Senator Robert Byrd in December 2004, introduced an amendment intended to help U.S. students appreciate and learn more about the Constitution. The amendment, passed into law by both the House and Senate, requires that all teachers implement programs relating to the Constitution on September 17th every year. Senator Byrd's amendment was implemented in May 2005. As you may know, it was on September 17, 1787, that the Constitutional Convention delegates met for the last time, in Philadelphia, to sign the Constitution, and present it to the public.

We will be covering more regarding the presidential election and electoral college process as November draws closer, including a "mock presidential election," where I will be tallying and comparing results to students at EHS, as well as students nationwide. It will be quite interesting to see how our students vote in comparison to their peers.

This year has been off to a great start, and I am excited for the next few weeks in history as well as my classes!