On Sept. 17, 1787 39 delegates signed the constitution of the United States. George Washington was named presiding officer and spearheaded the framework of the document known today. Originally there were 55 delegates, but only 41 were present to sign the document, three of which refused to do so.
To commemorate this historical date, the Panhandle Plains Historical Museum is hosting Constitution Day Friday, Sept. 19 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The event is sponsored by West Texas A&M University and is $3 per student. Teachers and chaperones receive free admission.
The event will contain a variety of activities for children grades 3-7, including Constitution Bingo, and other games. WTAMU History professors will host a mock town hall meeting that allows students to participate in a debate like setting. They will also discuss current immigration issues concerning a group of young, undocumented children who recently crossed the U.S. border into Texas illegally, without a parent or caregiver.
“We want to help these kids understand current topics that are relevant to them that are happening in our country, especially about the recent immigration debate since the kids that are being affected are around the same ages as they are,” Elaina Cunningham, Education Manager of the PPHM, said.
Constitution Day is a yearly event that the museum organizes.
“Last year our mock town hall meeting debated on the topic of cyber bullying,” Cunningham said. “We had about 300 attendees, we expect around the same amount again this year.”