On Sept. 17, 1787, the final draft of the Constitution was signed in Philadelphia. To commemorate this important event, Lynne Cheney, wife of Vice President Dick Cheney, asked that Sept. 17 be designated as Constitution Day.
That was four years ago and she has stayed true to her pledge to commemorate this important day. This year, she came to George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate for the celebration.
Joining her were fourth graders from Garfield Elementary, Lynbrook Elementary and Woodley Hills Elementary Schools. Other guests included actors playing the roles of American Founding Fathers — George Washington, James Madison, John Adams, Ben Franklin and Patrick Henry, as well as notable American historical figures Susan B. Anthony and Harriet Tubman.
These actors mingled with the students before Cheney arrived, talking to them about their lives and answering questions. After Cheney spoke to the crowd about the importance of learning about America's Founding Fathers and documents, the founding fathers added some of their own historical background.
Students then participated in activities designed to teach them about 18th-Century living such as mastering writing with a quill pen and playing colonial games.