{cache}
Constitutional Self-Guided Walking Tour
Constitutional Walking Tour
http://www.theconstitutional.com/tour
» Printer friendly
A great way to celebrate Constitution Day! There's a revolutionary way to see historic Philadelphia - The Constitutional Walking Tour of Philadelphia. The Constitutional tells the dramatic story of the brave men and women who were responsible for creating America. The Constitutional takes visitors 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 Declaration of Independence and The United States Constitution were 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:
Independence Hall - Where the Constitutional Convention met in the Summer of 1787 to draft, debate and then sign The United States Constitution on September 17, 1787.
National Constitution Center - The first museum in the world devoted to dramatically telling the story of The United States Constitution.
The First Bank of the United States - The constitutionality of the First Bank of the United States sparked the first great Constitutional debate between "strict constructionalists" and "loose constructionalists" regarding the interpretation of The United States Constitution.
Congress Hall - Congress Hall served as the United States Capitol, the meeting place of the United States Congress, from 1790 to 1800, when Philadelphia was the Capital of the United States. Among the historic events that took place here was the inauguration of President John Adams, which was quite significant since it was the first peaceful transition of power in a modern democracy.
Separation of Powers/Checks and Balances - Our Constitution has been so successful because of the system of checks and balances system between the 3 branches of our government?the executive, judicial and legislative. These 3 branches were all located within a block of each other while Philadelphia was the Capital of the United States.
Ben Franklin Firsts & Facts - Benjamin Franklin, one of America's Founding Fathers, was a very accomplished author, diplomat, inventor, philanthropist, political pundit, printer, statesman and scientist during his 84-year life. During the proceedings of the Constitutional Convention, George Washington was seated in the only original piece of furniture still in Independence Hall today, the high-back chair that has a gilded sun carved at the top. Benjamin Franklin noticed this chair and the half-sun depicted on it. As Franklin saw the finished Constitution taking form, he stated "Now, at length, I have the happiness to know that it is a rising sun and not a setting sun." Franklin still resonates with 21st century Americans. Walter Isaacson, author of a best-selling Franklin biography, said: "The most important thing he brings to our time is his tolerance and respect for pluralism that he believed was the core of democracy. He was always looking for common ground."
The Constitutional's free, self-guided tour also features "My Constitutional" that enables educators to create a customized version of The Constitutional online based on their interests that they input by answering a series of questions on the web site. For example, the educator could indicate special interests such as U.S. Presidents, The Constitution or Commerce and Law. My Constitutional will then provide a suggested walking route and corresponding map.
{cache}
