Southern Illinois University Carbondale will honor Constitution Day with a series of events aimed at engaging students and the community in a discussion about the U.S. Constitution and its ongoing significance.
The celebration will take place on Tuesday, September 17, and will feature multiple activities throughout the day.
From 1-3 p.m., Walter Ray, the political papers archivist at Morris Library’s Special Collections Research Center, will be distributing free pocket-sized copies of the U.S. Constitution at Delyte’s in Morris Library.
Dressed as President Abraham Lincoln, Ray will be available to discuss significant historical moments, including the Civil War and Lincoln’s controversial suspension of habeas corpus in 1862, which allowed the government to detain individuals without trial.
Later in the day, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., the Simmons Law School will host a conversation with Stan Cox, an associate professor of constitutional law, in Room 164 of the Lesar Law Building.
The discussion will focus on the First Amendment, particularly how the U.S. Supreme Court has interpreted its religion clauses over time.
The informal session will encourage audience participation through a Q&A format.
Additionally, Constitution-themed trivia will be displayed on monitors in the law library, and more free pocket Constitutions will be available while supplies last.
These activities commemorate the signing of the U.S. Constitution on September 17, 1787, and are part of the nationwide observance on September 17, 2024.
