September 17 is Constitution Day! (It’s also known as Citizenship Day.) On this day in 1787, the US Constitution was ratified in Philadelphia, PA. The Constitution is the highest law in the US. It’s the framework for our government, outlining the powers and duties of the legislative, executive and judicial branches. It has been amended 27 times. The first ten amendments are known as the Bill of Rights. But here are some facts you may not know…
Constitutional Fun Facts:
• The original document was handwritten by Jacob Shallus for $30 ($728 today).
• The original is on display at the National Archives and Records Administration in Washington, DC., behind protective glass framed with titanium and filled. To preserve the document, the cases contain argon gas and are kept at 67° F with 40% humidity.
• The US Constitution is the oldest Constitution written in any major government in the world.
• The US Constitution is the shortest Constitution written in any major government in the world – it’s only 4,400 words!
• The US Constitution contains a few spelling errors – one being “Pensylvania” written above the signatures.
