Elliot Tritto
Staff Writer
What would you think as the most significant document in American History? The Declaration of Independence? The Emancipation Proclamation? The Voting Rights Act of 1965?
To many Americans, the Constitution resides the most critical document by setting up laws that created the backbone of America.
According to www.whitehouse.gov, “The Constitutional Convention wanted to create a government with enough power to act on a national level, but without so much power that fundamental rights would be at risk.
One way this was accomplished was to separate the power of government into three branches, and then include checks and balances on those powers to assure that not one branch of government gained supremacy.”
In 1789, one of our founding fathers and former presidents, James Madison proposed the first 12 amendments to the Constitution Convention and a mere 10 were ratified to later become the Bill of Rights.
Such important amendments include the 1st which states “Congress makes no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting its free exercise, it protects freedom of speech, press, assembly, and the right to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
On Sept. 17, 2018, Broward College South Campus held Constitution Day to celebrate the importance of the Constitution and registration to vote.
By doing so, Student Life and the Student Government Association joined to provide many fun activities and goodies for all to enjoy.
Such activities include a reading of the Constitution by a Benjamin Franklin reenactor, a trivial game about how well one knows about the Constitution and a registration booth. Nonetheless, the goodies include a pocket-sized Constitution, American flags, and pens.
Katelynn Johnston, President of the Student Government and Casey Mintz, hopes that Constitution Day informed the students about the power of the Constitution and increased the number of students registered to vote.
“We have a very important election coming up in early November. We have a low number of young adults registered to vote. So that’s what today is about. By handing out pocked sized Constitutions and having a voter’s registration booth, we can promote the importance of voting and how your voice should be heard,” said Johnston.
Johnston believes the First Amendment is the most critical because it’s important for your voice to be heard, she said.
“By protesting, choosing what faith to follow, and publishing the freedom of press helps what Americans want accomplished,” she said.
Casey Mintz, Senator of Communications of Student Government, hoped the event promoted the Constitution and brought awareness to voting.
“I’m hoping to promote the knowledge of the Constitution which I feel every American should read at least once in their lifetime. By doing so, every American has a thorough understanding of oulife, liberties and the pursuit of happiness. Also, to bring awareness of how great voting is and how it’s great redeeming factor for any American at any age,” said Mintz.
Overall, this event served as a reminder for everyone to vote and understand how long it took for all of us to get here. Remember to vote on Nov. 6 and read your pocket-sized Constitution so we can remember the liberties we have and help those who don’t understand.
trite1@mail.broward.edu
photo caption: Student Life students hand out American flags on South Campus for Constitution Day. Jovan Subrath/The Observer