From the start

Nation celebrates Constitution Day, Aggieland features debate and music

By: Jack Molitor

Posted: 9/17/08

America celebrates its independence as a country on July 4, in commemoration of its declaration of independence from Great Britain in 1776. But America celebrates the freedoms treasured by its citizens on Constitution Day, the day the final draft of the U.S. Constitution was signed by state delegates.

On Sept. 17, 1787, the Constitution was signed, but it did not take effect until ratified by New Hampshire, the ninth state to approve, on June 21, 1788. The Constitution was created because of the ineffective Articles of Confederation, which loosely linked the states through a weak central government.

The Constitution allowed a central government to raise taxes and build a stronger tie between the states. To offset the strengthening of the government and ease the fears of citizens who were just freed from tyranny, the first 10 amendments were made to the Constitution and called the Bill of Rights. These articles included the freedoms of free exercise of religion, to bear arms, to due process and to not face double jeopardy.

Celebrations
Albritton Tower Carillon, as part of "Bells Across America" will play patriotic music at 4 p.m Wednesday. At 7 p.m. Wednesday in Rudder Theatre, the MSC Wiley Lecture Series presents "Congressional Budget War: a Debate on Congressional Spending in Times of War."