Today, in 1787, one of the most important political
gatherings of all time took place. The
momentous decisions these handful of men took would lay the foundation for a
fundamental shift in the history of the world and establish the most powerful,
prosperous and free nation the world has ever known. On this date, the American Constitutional
Convention began.
It is not my intention to give even an overview of the
workings of the Convention or its distinguished participants, but merely to
remind us all that this is one of the most important milestones in the history
and culture of our country. In its
glorious hindsight, the success of the convention seems inevitable; but at the
time nothing was certain. Indeed, the
one man whose participation many believed the success of the endeavor depended,
was notably reluctant to attend – George Washington.
Yet among the delegates were two men, whose ideas would
shape the nation, and who would defend the new Constitution brilliantly in a
series of essays (along with John Jay, dubbed the Federalist Papers, James Madison and Alexander Hamilton.
The document that these men produced in the hot summer
of 1787, became the basis on which America rose to prominence, endured and
survived a bloody civil war, and became the most powerful and freest nation on
earth. In the 1930s, a
dubiously-influenced group of historians led by Charles Beard, attempted to
portray the convention as a group of privileged elites whose sole interest was
to protect their wealth and property.
But one only has to read the record of the convention, the Federalist Papers, and the Constitution itself, to realize that
there is a far nobler, a more sublime philosophy at work than just the
enshrinement of privilege. It is the
most complete and noble statement of the belief that man can govern himself in
justice. And although our actions and
politics severely strain the Constitution at times; in the end, it is the
bastion to which we all resort to defend our freedom.
There’s a Fourth of July, a Flag Day and a Memorial Day
(which are all wonderful and patriotic holidays), but there is no day to honor
the Constitution and that’s a shame. In
a unique and shining moment, a group of men gathered and deliberated how to
preserve the liberty for which many of their countrymen had given, and still
continue to give, their blood. The old
story of the aged Ben Franklin on the last day of the convention comes down to
us today as a prophecy of all that was to come.
On the day the delegates signed the document, the elderly Franklin
commented that during the whole of the convention he had observed a half-sun
painted on the back of the convention president’s (George Washington)
chair. During the many tense moments of
the convention, Franklin feared that it was a setting sun; but now that the
document was before them, it was clear to Franklin that it was a rising sun that
foretold a glorious future for America.
He was right.
And now a few history shorts for today:
On this day in 1927, the Ford Motor company ceased
production on the Model T and began producing the Model A. By the 1970s, they were producing something
like the model ZZzzzzzz; but they rebounded and became the only major car
company not to need a bailout.
Here’s a unique History Triple Play. On this date in 1659, Richard Cromwell
resigned as Lord Protector of England.
Richard was the son of Oliver Cromwell, whose parliamentary forces had
overthrown and beheaded King Charles I.
Cromwell assumed dictatorial powers, which he passed on to his son. Exactly one year later, on this date in 1660,
Charles II landed at Dover on his way to reclaiming the English throne. Fast forward a year, and on this date in
1661, Charles married a Portuguese princess.
It must have been easy for him to remember his anniversary.
Richard Cromwell and Charles II & His Queen
(Their fathers didn't get along)
On this date in 1721, John Copson became America’s
first insurance agent, insuring that the word premium went from a compliment to
a burden
On this date in 1977, the first Star Wars movie opened,
making George Lucas a multi-gazillionaire and ensuring that nerds who don’t
like Star Trek have somewhere to go.
And finally on this date in 2011, Oprah Winfrey hosted
her last regular television show. Now
you have to search all of over your TV to find her failing network and get your
fill of her shallow and self-obsessed drivel.
