Where it all begins

We the People of the United States,
in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

These few words may be the most important sentence ever written. It was signed and presented to the public on September 17, 1787.

As a result, September 17 is now what I consider to be our most important, if also the least known, of all our holidays. In many ways, September 17, not July 4, is really America's birthday.

I have developed the habit of reading the document anew each September. Even after practicing and teaching law for 40 years, I find something new each time. I strongly recommend the practice.

to help you adopt the same habit, I will post the entire Constitution for your consideration over the next few days.

Keep it strong and it will keep us well.