Mission Moments Blog
Constitution Day
236 years ago this past September 17th, the United States Constitution was signed into law. What we need to remember and reflect upon is that their final product, the Supreme Law of our land, was the result of four long and difficult months in the heat of Philadelphia…months of disagreement, negotiation, compromise, and hard work.
Many valued participants in the process were convinced that the final outcome was truly excellent. Some even said miraculous.
George Washington penned the following to his friend Lafayette:
It appears to me, then, little short of a miracle, that the Delegates from so many different States (which States you know are also different from each other in their manners, circumstances and prejudieces) should unite in forming a system of national Government, so little liable to well founded objections.
James Madison, often referred to as the Father of the Constitution wrote:
The happy Union of these States is a wonder; their Construction a miracle; their example - the hope of Liberty throughout the world.
With this all in our minds and hearts, Brookfield Academy always takes time out to honor the anniversary of this important document. Last Friday, the Upper and Middle Schools had an assembly speaker, Bruce Rottman, talk about our responsibility to read and understand and defend the Constitution. He also pointed out how it can be misinterpreted. The Primary and Lower Schools met for a large assembly at the top of the hill packed with flags, songs, and recitations. It was a great celebration as well as an important teaching moment. It was impressive to see how well attended it was!
After assembly, Dr. Christopher Wolfe gave an important presentation to interested parents entitled, Basic Constitutional Principles, and How They Have Changed. Dr. Wolfe had been a BA parent for many years, with several of his children graduating from here. Dr. Wolfe is a Distinguished Research Scholar and former Affiliate Professor of Politics at the University of Dallas, specializing in Constitutional Law and Contemporary Liberal Theory. He is also an Emeritus Professor at Marquette University and Founder/Past President of the American Public Philosophy Institute, as well as author of several books and articles. You can view his entire talk here.
He also prepared a message for our Upper School students and I asked him to record it so we could share it with all our BA families and friends. You can listen to his message here. Enjoy and Happy Constitution Day to all!
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One final fun fact: Our Primary School building up at the top of the hill was completed and dedicated in September of 1987 - exactly 200 years after the signing of the Constitution which explains its name, Constitution Hall.
