Constitution Day Celebration At Noon Thursday

  • Thursday, September 16, 2021

Hamilton County will celebrate Constitution Day at noon this Friday on the south lawn of the Hamilton County Courthouse. In the event of rain, the ceremony will move to the Courthouse Rotunda. The public is invited to join the celebration.

The 2021 Constitution Day Commemoration is hosted by the Chattanooga Area Regents Council, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, chaired by Jessica M. Dumitru. The Regents Council is comprised of the regents of the five area NSDAR Chapters: Gayle Burrows, regent, Chickamauga; Meegan Rogers Burton, regent, Judge David Campbell; Linda Crawford, regent, Nancy Ward Chapter; Linda Moss Mines, regent, Chief John Ross Chapter and Tina Statom, regent, Moccasin Bend Chapter.

Hamilton County Government, the Chattanooga Bar Association and the Chattanooga Area Veterans Council are participating co-sponsors.

Linda Moss Mines, Hamilton County historian, said, "Constitution Day commemorates the signing of the U. S. Constitution on Sept. 17, 1787 by the delegates to the Constitutional Convention, then meeting in Philadelphia. While the Articles of Confederation had been created to provide a governmental framework during the early days of revolution and the republic, by 1787, the union between the states was unraveling and the Articles of Confederation had become ineffectual in dealing with the rising conflicts.

"The writing of the Constitution is often referred as the ‘Miracle in Philadelphia’ because the blending of the ideas and concepts advocated by the delegates required skillful negotiations and a willingness to compromise for the success of the young nation. The Framers, the delegates, worked tirelessly in drafting a document that would, by 2021, become the shortest and the longest-continuously used constitution in the history of the world. While three-fourths of the Framers had served in the earlier Congress and most had been leaders during the American Revolution, delegations were chosen by states so that each of the thirteen states would potentially have its voice reflected in the new document. Rhode Island, concerned about the possible changes that might impact its “small state” status, refused to participate but would ultimately ratify the finished document. 

"Friday’s commemoration of Constitution Day celebrates the creation of the United States of America as a republic. In an eighteenth-century world dominated by absolutist monarchy and tyranny, with the lone excepts of constitutional monarchies in Great Britain and the Netherlands, the Framers chose to create a government based on the will of the people, using the model of the Roman Republic. Three fundamental factors guide a republic: 1) The people hold the power of government. 2) The people give power to the leaders they elect to represent them and to serve their interest. 3) The representatives are responsible for helping all citizens, not a selected few with wealth and influence. 

"Additionally, the Framers carefully crafted the mission of the new republic in writing the preamble, clarifying its purpose for existence. “We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, 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” is certainly the most recognizable excerpt from the U. S. Constitution. The seven articles and twenty-seven amendments each support one or more of the overlying missions identified in the preamble.

"The rule of law - - a division of power between three branches - - a checks and balances system - - the right to vote - - an amendment process allowing change. Constitution Day celebrates a governmental system that, while not perfect, inspires people and nations to push for liberty, equality and justice."

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