Electing a US President - In Plain English

We the People - Observing Constitution Day

The United States Constitution is the most important document in the country. It sets out our form of government and enumerates rights and protections for American citizens. It was ratified in 1787, and is arguably more relevant now than ever before. Not bad for a 224-year-old. Schools across the country dedicate one day a year to teaching and celebrating the Constitution. Officially, September 17 is Constitution Day. (The Constitution was ratified on September 17, 1787.) But this year, schools are observing Constitution Day on September 16. 

A great Constitution Day resource — for students, parents, and teachers - is the Scholastic News Kids Press Corps special report Know Your Constitution. The special report brings the Constitution alive through interviews with people charged with upholding the laws and rights of the Constitution.
One of the interviews in the collection is with President Barack Obama. When the Kid Reporters spoke with the President in July, they took the opportunity to ask him about the Constitution. After all, he was a Constitutional Law professor before becoming President — and his primary responsibility as President is to protect and uphold the Constitution. His insights on why the Constitution is relevant and cool in 2011 are sure to resonate with kids — they certainly made an impression on the Kid Reporters!
Some of the other interviews in the collection are with former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court John Roberts, and former Senator Robert Byrd. These are joined by stories from the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia and the Newseum in Washington, D.C., which put on an exhibit highlighting the First Amendment. Games and other resources for kids and adults alike round out the collection.
You can learn more about Constitution Day on the Constitution Center website. There, you can find information about the Constitution itself, the Amendments, and the Consitutition Hall webcast.
taken from the oomscholasticblog - by Dante  

September 11, 2001

Labor Day

Many people think of Labor Day as the end of summer. But what's today's holiday really about?

The first Monday in September is Labor Day, a special day to celebrate working people.

Who first came up with the idea of a workers' holiday? There is still some doubt. The idea may have come from Canada, where Labour Day parades have been held since 1872.

Some historians say a machinist named Matthew Maguire started the holiday. Maguire was a union leader in New York City. In 1882, Maguire called for the city's workforce to lead a "festive parade through the streets of the city." More than 10,000 workers marched through New York City.

Labor Day was later officially recognized by several states, beginning with Oregon in 1887. It became a national holiday for all workers across the U.S in 1894.

That year, President Grover Cleveland wanted to heal wounds from a conflict between workers and big companies that started with the Pullman Railroad Strike. During the strike, more than 250,000 railroad workers from 27 states fought with the country's biggest railroad companies for higher pay and shorter workdays. President Cleveland wanted Labor Day to recognize the contributions of workers to the American economy.

These days, Labor Day means many things to Americans. It heralds the start of the pro football season, and the start of a new school year for many students. It's also a time for parades and fireworks, and for enjoying the last days of summer.      from scholastic.com

 Hope you had a happy day!!

WATCH A SLIDESHOW

Check out these facts and figures about workers in America.

The Grand Rapids LipDub

When Newsweek magazine included Grand Rapids, Michigan, in a list of "America's Dying Cities" the people of Grand Rapids got together and created this response.  Filmed in one ten-minute continuous shot, this video has been called "the greatest music video ever made." There are appearances by the mayor, city councilmen and representatives of all sectors of the community. Without a doubt it is living proof of the American spirit and the refusal of Grand Rapids to be classified as a city with a "bleak future".
The people of Grand rapids were not afraid to enthusiastically disagree with the media when they considered that they had been wrongly labelled - after all, that's freedom of speech, and community loyalty all rolled into one! They fought back - not in anger and bitterness but with joy and pride,

Here we are. This is who we are and we are not dying.

4th of July

"Hallowed be the day, forever bright its memory in the heart of the Nation.
Sing to it, poets;
shout to it, freemen;
celebrate it with bonfires, parades, and triumphant assemblies"(Daily Alta California, 4 July 1855).

Independence Day honors the birthday of the United States of America and the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. It's a day of picnics and patriotic parades, a night of concerts and fireworks, and a reason to fly the American flag.
See much more about Independence Day on usa.gov.

Take a look at The History Channel,  the Boston Pops Spectacular, or the Fourth of July Celebrations Database.

You can also revisit some of our older posts on the 4th of July here at Cultural Access

• The History of Independence Day
• Declaration of Independence
• Fireworks
• Fourth of July Word Origins

The First Day of Summer

Welcome to summer, which officially begins today, June 21st, thanks to the summer solstice. This is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.

Summer is all about fun, relaxing, vacation and having a good time.  For those who don't have summer jobs it may take some imagination to fill up all those free hours every day. Here is a look at the summer of two non-working sisters.

Father's Day

Father's Day is a special day to honor fathers and grandfathers. It is on the third Sunday of June. Fathers receive cards and gifts on Father's Day. It is important to thank your father and grandfather for all the things they do.
Father's Day was started in 1910 by Mrs. John Dodd of Spokane, Washington. The custom spread throughout the United States and in 1936 a national Father's Day committee was formed. Headquartered in New York City, the committee annually selects a Father of the Year. Some of the fathers who have won this title are Douglas MacArthur, Dwight D. Eisenhower, and Harry S. Truman.

When is Father's Day? It is on the third Sunday of June. We celebrate it by giving cards and gifts to our fathers and grandfathers. We say "Happy Father's Day!"

Some Father's Day reflections from ABC