Happy Constitution Day!

On September 17, 1787, the U.S. Constitution was adopted by the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and ratified by conventions in eleven states. Today, it remains the oldest written national constitution in continuous use and has influenced countless other countries in implementing representative democracy.

Today is Constitution Day -- an American observance that recognizes the historic implications and adoption of the U.S. Constitution and all those who have become citizens, swearing this oath to defend and protect it:

I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by the law; and that I take this obligation freely without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God.

Happy Constitution Day!