This blog courtesy of the U.S. Constitution

As everyone surely knows, Sept. 23 marks the official end of Constitution Week.

What? You’ve never heard of Constitution Week? Well, it’s time to become enlightened – even if it is the tail end of the event. I’ve learned some interesting trivia this past week, and I’m happy to share it.

Constitution Week is an annual observance that begins on Sept. 17 (the anniversary of the day the framers signed the document) through Sept. 23. It’s actually been around since President Dwight D. Eisenhower enacted the event in 1956, but President George W. Bush officially declared its inception in 2002. The purpose is to promote study and education about the United States Constitution, which, according to the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), is the oldest constitution still in active use in the world today.

The Activities Department and Student Government Association at AIB College of Business brought Constitution Week to life on campus by distributing free to students little books entitled “The U.S. Constitution and Fascinating Facts About It” (available through www.ConstitutionFacts.com).

Then Assistant Director of Activities Amy Vos administered a quiz based on information in the book. Students won prizes for being the first to answer each question, which she sent electronically throughout one day.

Here are the questions; answers are listed below:

1. Who was the first Chief Supreme Court Justice?
2. Who was the youngest Supreme Court Justice, and how old was he?
3. Which state didn’t send a delegate to the Constitutional Convention?
4. What happened on June 20, 1782?
5. How much was the salary for the Chief Justice in 1789? How much is it now?
6. Who were the two delegates from Georgia?
7. What was the highest political office Benjamin Franklin held?
8. What were George Washington’s last words?

 And here is some interesting trivia:

• Of the spelling errors in the Constitution, “Pensylvania” above the signers’ names is probably the most glaring.
• Presidents John Adams and Thomas Jefferson both died on July 4, 1826, the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. President James Monroe died five years later, on July 4, 1831.
• The oldest person to sign the Constitution was Benjamin Franklin, age 81, and because of his poor health, he needed help to sign it. As he did so, tears streamed down his face.
• The first time the formal term “The United States of America” was used was in the Declaration of Independence, not the Constitution.
• A quote from Thomas Jefferson: “A little rebellion now and then is a good thing.”
• And, of interest to anyone who continually is impressed and amazed at the energy and intelligence of young students, this quote from President John Adams, a former grammar school teacher: “I would rather sit in school and consider which of my pupils will turn out to be a hero, and which a rake, which a philosopher and which a parasite, than to have an income of a thousand pounds a year.”

 Quiz answers:

1. John Jays
2. Joseph Story, age 32
3. Rhode Island
4. The Great Seal of United States was officially adopted by congress of Confederation.
5. $4,000 in 1789; $223,500 in 2013
6. Abraham Baldwin and William Few                
7. Minister to France          
8. “I die hard, but I am not afraid to go.  … Let me go quietly. I cannot last long. … It is well.”