Why Constitution Day?
Every September 17, people across the United States have a reason to look back at a meeting that helped shape their government. On that date in 1787, delegates signed the United States Constitution in Philadelphia. Constitution Day marks that signing and offers a chance to consider how the document still affects the country.
A plan for government
After the American Revolution, the states were joined under a plan called the Articles of Confederation. The national government had trouble carrying out important tasks, including raising money to pay its debts. In 1787, delegates from the states met to address problems with that plan. Instead, they created a new framework for the national government: the Constitution.
The delegates did not agree on everything. For example, they argued about how states should be represented in Congress. Some wanted representation based on population. Others wanted each state to have an equal voice. They reached an agreement that created two parts of Congress: the House of Representatives, where representation is based on population, and the Senate, where each state has two senators.
- delegates:
- People chosen to represent others at a meeting.
- debts:
- Money that is owed.
- framework:
- A basic structure or plan.
- representation:
- Having people speak or make decisions on behalf of others.
- compromise:
- An agreement reached when people with different views accept a solution.
- conviction:
- A court's finding that a person is guilty of a crime.
- observance:
- An event or day set aside to recognize something important.
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Preview questions from this passageShowHide
- 1Why did delegates meet in 1787, and what did they create?
- 2How did the agreement about Congress address different ideas about representation?
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About this explanatory article passage for Upper Elementary
“Why Constitution Day?” is a explanatory article reading passage about The United States Constitution, written for Upper Elementary. It takes about 4 minutes to read (548 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.