By Regina Stracqualursi
Today at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, we’re celebrating Constitution Day, a day signed into law by George W. Bush in 2004 to commemorate the signing of the U.S. Constitution each year. On Constitution Day, all federally funded institutions take the opportunity to educate their communities about our Founding Fathers and the document that guides our government and protects the rights of American citizens.
When the Founding Fathers signed the U.S. Constitution 233 years ago today, they had no idea that it would go on to be the most influential document in American history. Here are five facts about the U.S. Constitution that you might not know:
- The U.S. Constitution was written in the same Pennsylvania State House where the Declaration of Independence was signed. Now called Independence Hall, the building is directly across from the National Constitution Center. The original Constitution is on display at the National Archives in Washington, D.C.
- Written in 1787, the Constitution was signed on September 17. But it wasn’t until 1788 that it was ratified by the necessary nine states.
- Established on November 26, 1789, the first national “Thanksgiving Day” was originally created by George Washington as a way of “giving thanks” for the Constitution.
- Of the written national constitutions, the U.S. Constitution is the oldest and shortest.
- More than 11,000 amendments have been introduced in Congress.
