Tag Archive for ‘Constitution’
Don’t Know Much About Mr. Madison
Today March 16, 2011, marks the 260th anniversary of the birth of America’s fourth President, James Madison, also known as “The Father of the Constitution.” While small in stature, and sometimes overshadowed by his more famous Virginian predecessors, George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, Madison must be considered one of the greatest of the Founding Fathers for the breadth and influence of his contributions.
Today in History: “We the People” (v 2.0)
On March 11, 1861, the delegates at the Congress of the Confederate States of America, meeting in Montgomery, Alabama, adopted a Constitution. Working under duress, they used the U.S. Constitution almost verbatim as their template. But they made some changes… What was the difference between the Confederate and U.S. Constitutions? One week after Lincoln’s inaugural address, [...]
“We are not enemies but friends.”
“That there are persons in one section or another who seek to destroy the Union at all events and are glad of any pretext to do it I will neither affirm nor deny; but if there be such, I need address no word to them. To those, however, who really love the Union may I [...]
“Sicko Ants on a Crucifix”
Censorship is riding high. It is once again as American as apple pie, assassinations and anti-immigrant vitriol.
Bill of Rights Day (December 15)
On December 15, 1791, Virginia ratified the first ten Amendments to the U.S. Constitution: The Bill of Rights took effect. In 1941, on the 150th anniversary of the ratification, President Franklin D. Roosevelt declared that December 15th would be Bill of Rights Day. Now it may not be circled red on your calendar, but few [...]
Cruel and Unusual- (Civics Primer Part 5)
No, learning about Civics and American History is not the Cruel and Unusual part. Actually, when done properly, this stuff can be fun and interesting. Following up on my earlier lessons about the Bill of Rights, today’s focus is on two more of the fundamental rights of the accused found in the Seventh and Eighth [...]
Pleading the Fifth (Civics Primer Part 4)
My Civics Primer has been focusing on the Bill of Rights and continues with two more Amendments that deal with the rights of the accused –including perhaps the most famous of all, the Fifth Amendment.
After the Veep, who comes next? (Civics Primer Part 3)
Someone asked me recently what Americans need to know about our history and government. The answer is easy. There’s a test for that. It’s called the Naturalization Test, given by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, and applicants for citizenship must pass it. Could most American-born citizens pass it? In my experience testing audiences with [...]
Don’t Know Much About the First Amendment: A Civics Primer
Who is the Vice President? How many Senators are there? How many Supreme Court Justices? A new online survey suggests many Americans can’t answer those Civics 101 questions. That is a point underscored in a New York Times Week in Review article yesterday that points out how many Americans don’t know what the First Amendment [...]
Highlights in the History of a Christian Nation
In a recent Fox News colloquy, former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin explained America’s religious traditions to Bill O’Reilly. Discussing the National Day of Prayer in May 2010, both underscored their belief that America is a “Christian Nation,” founded upon Judeo-Christian principles and the Ten Commandments. Speaking of the Founders and the nation’s founding documents, Palin [...]
