AFA of PA ACTION ALERT
September 10, 2025
Issue
Does Your School Know the Law?
Details Did you know: Federal law requires that every year on Constitution Day all public schools must hold a special program on the Constitution.
The United States Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787. This was our second attempt at a national governing document. The 1777 Articles of Confederation, which went into effect in 1781, quickly proved to be inadequate. In 1786 the Annapolis Convention called for a group to assemble to address the many weaknesses.
After months of sometimes contentious debate, the Constitution was introduced to the citizens of the new nation. Did you know that many of the delegates involved in the writing of the Constitution were trained in theology or ministry? Abraham Baldwin, James Wilson, Hugh Williamson, Oliver Ellsworth are a few examples. The Constitution was then sent to the states for ratification. Among the delegates selected, the states elected about four dozen clergymen to serve in the ratification process for the Constitution.
However, in recent years attacks on our Constitution have increased, as well as the idea that there is any Christian influence on the founding of this nation or the writing of the Constitution.
John Jay, who was later appointed by George Washington as the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, stated September 8, 1777:
“This glorious revolution…distinguished by so many marks of the Divine favor and interposition…in a manner so singular, and I may say miraculous, that when future ages shall read its history they will be tempted to consider a great part of it as fabulous…
Will it not appear extraordinary…like the emancipation of the Jews from Egyptian servitude.”
Can you imagine a US Supreme Court Chief Justice in today’s world saying such a thing?
On September 12, 1782, Congress approved of Robert Aitken’s printing of the Bible. Called “The Bible of the Revolution” it was the first English-language Bible printed in America and the only Bible ever authorized by an act of Congress.
Action Steps:
Did you know there’s only three dozen enumerated powers to Congress in the US Constitution? Is the federal government becoming too powerful?? Check them out here
Check with your local school and see what their plans are for Constitution Day, September 17th. Remind them what the law says! Here are some resources teachers can use.
I encourage you to read the Constitution on September 17th and take some time to talk to your children and/or grandchildren about its history and importance.
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