Constitution Week Spotlight
Coeur d'Alene Press | UPDATED 6 months, 3 weeks AGO
Sept. 19
On day three of Constitution Week, we focus on the Preamble.
The Preamble to the United States Constitution is the short but powerful introduction that sets the stage for the entire document. Written in just 52 words, it begins with the famous phrase, “We the People,” making it clear that the authority of government comes not from a king or a distant ruler, but from the citizens themselves. The Preamble outlines the broad purposes of the Constitution: To form a stronger union, establish justice, ensure peace within the nation, provide for defense, promote the well-being of citizens and protect liberty for current and future generations.
Although the Preamble does not grant specific powers or rights, it serves as a guiding statement of intent. It explains why the Constitution was written and what the framers hoped to achieve. In many ways, it’s like the mission statement of the United States — reminding Americans that the government exists to serve the people and safeguard the principles of justice, security and freedom.
The wording of the Preamble is credited primarily to Gouverneur Morris, a delegate from Pennsylvania who was part of the Constitution’s Committee of Style and Arrangement. While the ideas reflect the work of the entire Constitutional Convention, it was Morris’ eloquent language that gave the Preamble its enduring power and simplicity.
Today’s quiz:
The phrase “insure domestic tranquility” in the Preamble means what?
a) Guarantee peace within the United States b) Protect against foreign attacks c) Limit the power of the states d) Ensure freedom of speech
Answer: a) Guarantee peace within the United States
The Preamble ends with the goal of securing liberty for whom?
a) For wealthy landowners b) For Congress members only c) For ourselves and our posterity d) For the President and his advisers
Answer: c) For ourselves and our posterity
This Constitution Week Spotlight was provided by the Lt. George Farragut Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution.
Info: lgfdar.com