Constitution DaySeptember 17th AdvisorySeptember, 2014

What is the US Constitution?

• Signed on Sept 17th, 1787.

• Establishes America’s national government and fundamental laws.

• Bill of Rights (guarantees basic individual protections) was added in 1791.

• To date there have been 27 constitutional amendments.

Bill of Rights

• I. Freedom of Speech, Press, Religion and Petition

• II. Right to keep and bear arms

• III. Quartering of soldiers

• IV. Right of search and seizure regulated

• V. Rights in criminal cases

• VI. Right to fair trial

• VII. Rights in civil cases

• VIII. Bail, fines, punishment

• IX. Rights retained by the People

• X. States’ rights

• http://www.ushistory.org/documents/amendments.htm

Interested in discussing democracy?

• There is a contest for a 3-5 minute essay recorded on a tape or CD.

• Topic – “Why Veterans are Important to our Nation’s History and Future”

• Open to students in grades 9-12

• You could win prizes and scholarships and state winners get an all expense paid trip to Washington D.C in March.

Interested in discussing democracy?

• Visit the VFW website for more details and contest rules http://www.vfw.org/Community/Voice-of-Democracy/

• You can also download the contest application from the FBHS Advisory Web page

• GOOD LUCK!!