Schools observe the birth of the Constitution.

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

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 learning about the Constitution will help make people better citizens by teaching them their rights and responsibilities as citizens. What do you think it means to be a good citizen? Do you agree with Sen. Byrd? Do you think Constitution Day activities help get people more interested in learning about the Constitution?

Under this law, places that receive money from the U.S. government must teach about the Constitution on September 17th. Have you heard anything about this? What are the plans to celebrate Constitution Day in your area?