Next week, schools across the country will celebrate the most important document in American history. The Constitution lays out the basic set of rules on which all of our laws are based. Two years ago, Congress passed a law saying that schools must teach lessons about the Constitution on Sept. 17. The Constitution was signed on that date.

Sen. Robert Byrd of West Virginia came up with the idea for Constitution Day. He is one of the Senate's biggest experts on the Constitution. He carries a copy with him, and often holds it up during debates when he feels that other senators are not following the rules. Senator Byrd was worried that many Americans, especially young people, do not know enough about the Constitution. He thinks that people do not know their rights and responsibilities as citizens. Do you think he is right? Will the Constitutional Day holiday change that?

Under this law, places that receive money from the U.S. government must teach about the Constitution on September 17. In years like this one, when September 17 falls on a Sunday, schools and agencies can celebrate during the week after September 17th. Have you heard anything about this? What are the plans to celebrate Constitution Day where you are?