On September 17, 1787 — 234 years ago today — the delegates to the constitutional convention who had approved the final document signed it and sent it on its way toward ratification. We now celebrate that date as Constitution Day, to acknowledge our debt to them and remind ourselves (as it’s plain we could use the reminding) of the extraordinary governing framework they created.
If you’re free and online at 11 a.m. Eastern today (or if you want to look in on the video later), you should check out the American Enterprise Institute’s annual Constitution Day lecture, which will be delivered this year by the great American historian Wilfred McClay. His subject is “The Constitution in American civic education,” which could hardly be more timely and important. You can sign up for free and find the live feed and subsequent video here.
I’ve also got an essay of my own over at the home page today on the future of conservative constitutionalism — given the complicated moment in which that crucial project finds itself now.
But above all, try to take some time to read the Constitution today. It never gets old.