The Constitution of theThe Constitution of the United States United States The Supreme Law of the The Supreme Law of the United States of AmericaUnited States of America

““In Celebration of Constitution In Celebration of Constitution Day”Day”

When was it created?When was it created? The writing of the Constitution was The writing of the Constitution was

completed on September 17, 1787.completed on September 17, 1787. It took a long time for the states to It took a long time for the states to

ratify the Constitution as the law of ratify the Constitution as the law of the land.the land.

Not everyone agreed that the Not everyone agreed that the Constitution was a good thing.Constitution was a good thing.

How important is it?How important is it? Nine of the Thirteen original colonies Nine of the Thirteen original colonies

had to ratify (approve) the Constitution had to ratify (approve) the Constitution before it could become law.before it could become law.

The US Constitution is the oldest one in The US Constitution is the oldest one in use in the world today.use in the world today.

Several countries around the world Several countries around the world have modeled our Constitution in their have modeled our Constitution in their own.own.

It took a long time to discuss ideas and write such an

important document.

Different Ideas…Different Ideas… Some people wanted a strong central Some people wanted a strong central

government in the nation’s capitol.government in the nation’s capitol. Some people wanted a weak central Some people wanted a weak central

government in the nation’s capitol government in the nation’s capitol and stronger rights for the states.and stronger rights for the states.

Some people wanted our rights to be Some people wanted our rights to be listed in the Constitution and some listed in the Constitution and some did not.did not.

So many ideas, a few problems…So many ideas, a few problems…

Eventually our nation’s forefathers Eventually our nation’s forefathers were wise enough to compromise. A were wise enough to compromise. A compromise is where each side gives compromise is where each side gives up some of the things they want in up some of the things they want in order to reach agreement.order to reach agreement.

They gave some powers to the central They gave some powers to the central government and some to the states.government and some to the states.

They listed the basic rights of They listed the basic rights of Americans not in the Constitution but in Americans not in the Constitution but in the first ten amendments called The the first ten amendments called The Bill of Rights.Bill of Rights.

Signing the Constitution took a very long time, but it was not official until nine states

ratified it.

South Carolina’s Signers of the South Carolina’s Signers of the Constitution of the United StatesConstitution of the United States

Charles Cotesworth Pinckney

Charles Pinckney

John Rutledge

South Carolina is Number EightSouth Carolina is Number Eight

May 23, 1788, South Carolina ratified the Constitution of the United States in the Old

Exchange Building in Charleston.

The Constitution of the United States The Constitution of the United States became official on March 4, 1789became official on March 4, 1789

Independence Hall in Philadelphia where the Constitution of the United States was created

South Carolina ratifies – May 23, South Carolina ratifies – May 23, 17881788

Commemorative Stamp – 200th Anniversary

Some more things you need to Some more things you need to know about the Constitution…know about the Constitution…

More about a ConstitutionMore about a Constitution

A Constitution defines the relationship A Constitution defines the relationship between the government and the between the government and the governed.governed.

People give up some of their rights in People give up some of their rights in order to be protected by the order to be protected by the government.government.

The government must be responsive The government must be responsive to the people or it can be replaced.to the people or it can be replaced.

Still more…Still more… Some powers like taxation and Some powers like taxation and

protection of citizens can be shared by protection of citizens can be shared by national, local, and state governments.national, local, and state governments.

Some powers are reserved for the Some powers are reserved for the national government, like printing national government, like printing money and declaring war.money and declaring war.

And some powers are reserved for state And some powers are reserved for state and local governments without national and local governments without national interference.interference.

A Delicate Balance…A Delicate Balance… Sometimes the expectations of the Sometimes the expectations of the

government and the constitution seem government and the constitution seem almost impossible to meet.almost impossible to meet.

One such awesome task is to protect One such awesome task is to protect individual rights. Yet the Constitution individual rights. Yet the Constitution must also promote the common good.must also promote the common good.

The Constitution is a living document The Constitution is a living document that stands between the people and that stands between the people and tyranny. No wonder we honor and tyranny. No wonder we honor and respect it!respect it!

The Constitution of The Constitution of the United Statesthe United States

This document is one of the most This document is one of the most important guardians of our freedom as important guardians of our freedom as Americans.Americans.

Politicians agree to uphold the Politicians agree to uphold the Constitution and soldiers go into battle Constitution and soldiers go into battle to support the Constitution and the to support the Constitution and the nation it protects.nation it protects.

All Americans owe their freedom to All Americans owe their freedom to this document and the people who this document and the people who uphold it.uphold it.

Created by Carol PooleSeptember 2006