If you’re a tad rusty on the U.S. Constitution – and really, who isn’t? – you might want to drop by the State Capitol on Thursday to celebrate Liberty Day.
According to a recent poll, only one in four Americans could name even one of the five freedoms guaranteed in the First Amendment, so a brush-up would be time well-spent. Only one in 1,000 adults surveyed could name all five: religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition to redress grievances.
But 22 percent could name all five “Simpsons” cartoon characters: Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie.
Congress has designated March 16 – the 255th anniversary of the birth of James Madison, our fourth president and one of the authors of the Constitution – as Liberty Day. The observance began nine years ago as a way to encourage youngsters ages 7 to 12 to study the Constitution. Students learn 24 questions and answers taken directly from the text of the Constitution in preparation for quizzing visitors, legislators and staff at their state capitols.
Twenty kids from across the state will be on hand at the Colorado statehouse, where they’ll pass out booklets with the text of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. They’ll be asking and answering questions from the public from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Similar events are scheduled in all 50 state capitols, according to Centennial-based LibertyDay.Org.
This is a great way to teach kids the Constitution and make sure Bart or Homer won’t be elected governor. D’oh!
