Reading the the U.S. Constitution

Watching fireworks last night, I wondered about the distance between modern July 4th celebrations and what we’re actually celebrating (more ranting on holidays here). In my lifetime I don’t remember any hint of recounting what happened or why at any July 4th event – it’s just a BBQ, beers and fireworks – that’s the entire substance of the day as far as I can recall. Which is great fun, for sure, but shallow in light of what happened and why.

I asked folks around me when the last time they read the Declaration of Independence or the U.S. Constitution. No one could remember. Few knew they’re so short – 1300 and 7600 words long respectively (about 15 pages) and can be read easily in 15 minutes.

I woke up this morning and read them both. They’re easy reads and I wish somehow reading these things would be part of the July 4th tradition. Can you rally a nation in 1300 words, or define a government in 8000? Now that’s writing.

References:

Decleration of Independence
U.S. Constitution
History of the 4th of July: on wikipedia, & U.S. History.org

Posted Thursday, July 5th, 2007 at 12:06 pm

in On writing | 7 Comments » |

jcopenha - July 5, 2007 at 1:38 pm

I had the exact same idea. I think with our current political climate people would be well served to read these two works and consider how they apply today. I have read the U.S. Constitution recently. I’ll probably read the Deceleration of Independence when I get home. I can’t recall having ever read the whole thing.

Wren Hunt - July 6, 2007 at 4:24 am

You have misspelled “Declaration” twice in your post; it’s not – “decleration”. Probably important to correct these slips for such an important document!

DennisDeery.com - July 8, 2007 at 4:15 pm

[...] his July 4th celebration, author Scott Berkun posted an interesting question on his blog (for my American readers) – when was the last time you [...]

Bryan - August 2, 2007 at 2:26 am

I have something called The Book of Great American Documents. Ironically, it’s a very slim little book. Anyhow, I try to remember to pull it out each July 4th, and read something from it to my wife. Wonder of wonders, she enjoys this.

This year, it was Thomas Jefferson’s inaugural speech. Great stuff, though honestly a bit tongue-twisting at times. Our forefathers really did enjoy long and twisty sentences. Even so, the directness and humility with which he stated his positions and his understanding of the office are still inspriational. I wish we had someoneone like him today.

http://www.bartleby.com/124/pres16.html