In Praise of Constitutions

We should celebrate September 17 because we developed and still live by a document that assures the rule of law and the possibilities of freedom to Americans.

John M. Grondelski | September 17, 2026

September 17 is Constitution Day, the 239th anniversary of the 1787 signing. Roughly nine months later, it became “the supreme law of the land,” a status it has enjoyed since. It is the oldest written national constitution still in effect.

We take that fact for granted. The idea of a national, written constitution is something we expect. It has, in fact, become so normative that even countries that generally ignore their constitutions (especially their rights guarantees) still feel an obligation to have one. In the 21st century, that’s taken as normal. In the 18th century, it was not something to be taken for granted.

Britain would, of course, say it had a constitution, and it did, of sorts. It was an uncodified one, based on custom, which means -- in the end -- that it is custom and respect for tradition, not necessarily the binding power of law, that limits what can be done. A written constitution avoids that temptation.

We ought to celebrate September 17, not just because we were “first” and now “oldest.” We should celebrate September 17 because we developed and still live by a document that assures the rule of law and the possibilities of freedom to Americans, even if the United States of 2026 is very different........

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