Owensboro Community & Technical College is celebrating Constitution Day today virtually with a presentation titled “Celebrating 100 Years: 19th Amendment” with Nicole Ralph.
Ralph is Director of OCTC’s Experiential Learning Center and is also an Adjunct Faculty member. Ralph is an OCTC alumnus, teaches Political Science, and previously worked in the OCTC Business Office for over ten years. Ralph earned a Bachelor’s in Business Administration and a Master’s in Public Administration from Western Kentucky University.
The program also includes information on voter registration and the importance of voting, presented by Antoine Smith-Rouse. Smith-Rouse is an Employer Liaison/Career Navigator for OCTC’s Workforce Solutions division.
On Constitution Day, we recognize the anniversary of the nation’s constitution and the efforts and responsibilities of all citizens in sustaining the constitution.
In the summer of 1787, delegates convened in Philadelphia to create “a more perfect union” and construct the country’s constitution. They worked to develop a framework that would provide balance and freedom, considering national and state interests, as well as individual human rights. The delegates signed the Constitution of the United States on September 17, 1787. By June 21, 1788, the Constitution was ratified, having been approved by nine of the 13 states.
In 1940 Congress created “I Am an American Day” to be celebrated on the third Sunday in May. On February 29, 1952, President Harry Truman signed into law “Citizenship Day.” It was established to replace “I Am an American Day.” On Aug. 2, 1956, Congress requested that the President proclaim the week beginning September 17 and ending September 23 of each year as “Constitution Week.” One additional change was made to the event when a federal law enacted in December 2004 designated September 17 as “Constitution Day and Citizenship Day.”
OCTC President Dr. Scott Williams commented, “We hope that the topic of this Constitution Day encourages discussion and deliberation among the students, faculty, and staff and that community members feel free to join us.”
In addition a limited number of free Constitution booklets will be available in OCTC’s Learning Resource Center, first come, cirst served. The event is free and open to faculty, staff, students and the general public, a link to the virtual meeting and a QR code is embedded in the graphic.