223d birthday party for the Constitution
The National Constitution Center celebrated the 223d anniversary of the signing of the Constitution on Friday by hosting 223 students from Philadelphia's Constitution High School, honoring a Connecticut woman for her groundbreaking legal effort against eminent domain, and granting American citizenship to about 100 immigrants.
The National Constitution Center celebrated the 223d anniversary of the signing of the Constitution on Friday by hosting 223 students from Philadelphia's Constitution High School, honoring a Connecticut woman for her groundbreaking legal effort against eminent domain, and granting American citizenship to about 100 immigrants.
"Every year, we find new and great ways to celebrate Constitution Day," said center president and chief executive officer David Eisner. "Our celebration gets bigger and bigger each year."
The day began on the center's rooftop terrace, with students from Constitution High reciting the preamble to the Constitution. The school, on South Seventh Street, is chartered by the center.
"It was good the way everybody came together," said freshman Kristian Thomas.
The center then inducted Susette Kelo of New London, Conn., into its American National Tree, which honors individuals whose actions have embodied the values imparted in the Constitution.
In 2000, New London used the right of eminent domain to force Kelo to sell her home. Her case was eventually heard by the U.S. Supreme Court, in 2005, and although she lost her appeal, the rest of the country took notice.
Kelo's attorney Scott Bullock said that an "unprecedented backlash" rapidly followed the Supreme Court's decision. "Forty-three states changed their [eminent domain] laws," Bullock said. "It is bittersweet," Kelo said Friday. "I'm pleased other people were able to get their homes back."
For his essay about Kelo's case, Nick Liu, a high school student from North Carolina, won the 2010 M.R. Robinson National Constitution Center American National Tree Award.
Liu ended up learning more than just the facts of the case, Kelo v. New London.
"If you want to make a difference," he said, "standing up for small things is important."
Kelo's induction was followed by a naturalization ceremony, where about 100 immigrants, including Liberian native Fred Boduo, were granted citizenship.
"I wanted to become an American citizen," Boduo said, "because of the freedom of religion, speech, and the better way of life that you can accomplish for yourself."
The center's free celebration was sponsored by Beneficial Bank.
"It's so exciting to see students feel how important the Constitution is for day-to-day life," Eisner said. "All the things they take for granted are guaranteed to them by the Constitution."
