THE CONSTITUTIONAL WALKING TOUR OFFERS A VARIETY OF EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES TO COMMEMORATE CONSTITUTION DAY ON SEPTEMBER 17
Celebrate “Back to School” by Taking an Actual Field Trip or a “Virtual Field Trip” to Historic Philadelphia to See Where The U.S. Constitution was Created
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – August 31, 2006 – The Constitutional Walking Tour of Philadelphia today announced the launch of its Constitution Day Resources to help celebrate Constitution Day, this year being celebrated on Monday, September 18th (because September 17th falls on a Sunday this year). September 17th is designated as Constitution Day because on that date in 1787, the delegates of the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia signed the United States Constitution at Independence Hall. In late 2004, Senator Robert Byrd, one of the United States Senate’s leading Constitutional scholars, introduced legislation that President George W. Bush signed into law on December 8, 2004 requiring that all schools, colleges and Federal agencies receiving Federal funds offer annual educational programming involving the Constitution of the United States on or around Constitution Day, September 17th.
“Walking in the Founding Fathers’ footsteps with The Constitutional Walking Tour of Philadelphia is a great way to commemorate Constitution Day. Along the tour, visitors see many important sites related to the U.S. Constitution including The First Bank of the United States which sparked the first great Constitutional debate between strict and loose constructionalists,” stated Jonathan Bari, Chairman of The Constitutional Walking Tour. “Whether you want to visit Historic Philadelphia in person, or take a “Virtual field trip,” we can assist in integrating The Constitutional’s educational programming into your Constitution Day curriculum.”
Constitution Day Offerings – Something for Everyone
The Constitutional Walking Tour offers a variety of resources to help Educational Institutions and Federal Agencies fulfill the annual requirement for Constitution Day programming. Below is a detailed list of the resources for Educators, Students, Government and Military and Community Leaders.
- The Constitutional Self-Guided Walking Tour – Exercise your right to explore the Constitution! The Constitutional Self-Guided Walking Tour takes you on a free self-guided walking journey through America's Most Historic Square Mile - the birthplace of our nation. Step back in time to see where The United States Constitution was created. The 3-mile outdoor journey features more than 30 historical sites in the Independence Park area, including many sites and topics related to the U.S. Constitution. Brochures can be printed at www.theconstitutional.com/tour.
- The Constitutional Guided Walking Tour – A great way to celebrate Constitution Day! The Constitutional Guided Walking Tour tells the dramatic story of the brave men and women who were responsible for creating America. Step back in time to see where The United States Constitution was created. See more than 15 of the most historic sites and attractions in 75 minutes on a 1.25-mile outdoor journey, including many sites and topics related to the U.S. Constitution such as Independence Hall and the National Constitution Center. Group rates and student discounts are available for groups of 25 or more. For more information, visit www.TheConstitutional.com/schools, or call our group sales department at 215.525.1776.
- Philly MP3 Audio Tour — Grab your iPod and step back in time to see where The United States Constitution was created. The Philly MP3 Audio Tour includes more than 20 of the most popular historical sites in 75 minutes on a 1.25 mile walking adventure, including many sites related to the U.S. Constitution such as Independence Hall and the National Constitution Center. For more information, visit www.PhillyMP3.com. Educational pricing is available.
- The Constitutional Cell Phone Tour - Explore Historic Philadelphia with The Constitutional Cell Phone Tour. It's Simple. Grab your cell phone and go! Choose a stop, call 215.229.TOUR, and enjoy an audio track about the site where you’re standing. See more than 15 historic sites and attractions in 75 minutes, including many sites related to the U.S. Constitution such as Independence Hall and the National Constitution Center. For more information, visit www.PhillyByPhone.com. Educational pricing is available.
- The Constitutional Virtual Field Trip — For those who cannot travel to Philadelphia, The Constitutional provides free “virtual field trips” through our interactive web site so that you can "walk" in the Founding Fathers' footsteps and learn about the birth of our Nation, including the creation of the U.S. Constitution, by taking The Constitutional's tour online. For more information, visit www.TheConstitutional.com/virtual.
- Educational Resources, Materials & Merchandise — The Constitutional’s one-stop-shopping Web site has organized the most popular Constitution-related resources for you. Educators will find a variety of resources available for purchase to fulfill their educational needs for Constitution Day, including various types of historical documents including pocket Constitutions with key facts and indices, as well as faux parchment scrolls the Constitution of the United States and the Bill of Rights - and we even offer sets with quill pens. We also provide recommended reading lists for students of all ages through our online store powered by Amazon.com. For more information, visit www.TheConstitutional.com/store.
For details on all of The Constitutional’s educational resources, please visit www.TheConstitutional.com/ConstitutionDay.
Constitution Day Partners
The Constitutional Walking Tour has partnered with key organizations which are providing complementary Constitution Day programming, including:
- National Constitution Center - To help celebrate Constitution Day, The Constitutional Walking Tour of Philadelphia is working with the National Constitution Center's “America Reads the Constitution” initiative and others. For more information, visit www.constitutionday.us .
- Constitution Day, Inc. - The Constitutional Walking Tour of Philadelphia has partnered with Constitution Day, Inc. to help facilitate the national simultaneous recitation of the Preamble of the Constitution of the United States. The “Preamble Across America” initiative has been designed to help educate each new generation about the oldest Constitution of any nation in the world, the birthday of the American government, and American ideals. General Colin Powell will lead the nationwide recitation of the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution on Monday, September 18, 2006 at 2PM Eastern Time (11AM Pacific Time). For more information, visit www.constitutionday.com .
“After taking a Constitutional course with the National Center for Constitutional Studies, I became acutely aware of the uniqueness, the greatness, and the miracle of our Constitution. I looked for Constitution Day on calendars, but it was not there,” said Louise Leigh, founder of Constitution Day. “The importance of setting a day aside to honor the Constitution is that it perpetuates the knowledge of and importance of the Constitution. To that end, we are thrilled to be working with The Constitutional Walking Tour of Philadelphia which is a wonderful organization that enhances our Constitution Day initiatives.”
About The Constitutional Walking Tour of Philadelphia
The Constitutional Walking Tour of Philadelphia takes visitors on a walking journey through America's Most Historic Square Mile, the birthplace of our nation – “Where Every Day is Independence Day!”™ Located in Center City Philadelphia, The Constitutional includes many sites within the Independence National Historical Park area, which is home to the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. The Constitutional guides visitors to walk through history where The Declaration of Independence and The United States Constitution were created. The Constitutional is one of “Philadelphia’s Top 25 Tourist Attractions” as ranked by the Philadelphia Business Journal. Visitors can experience The Constitutional: 1) on their own as a free, self-guided walking tour, 2) with a lively tour guide for a fee 3) with the Philly MP3 Audio Tour or 4) via the Constitutional Cell Phone Tour by calling 215-229-TOUR (8687). For more information on The Constitutional, please visit www.TheConstitutional.com. Guided and audio tours are offered by The Constitutional Guided Walking Tours, LLC which is a licensee of The Constitutional Foundation, Inc. d/b/a The Constitutional Walking Tour of Philadelphia; a portion of the proceeds from all guided and audio tour fees benefits The Constitutional Foundation and its free self-guided tour.
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