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- calendar_today October 9, 2026
Ohio State University Observes Constitution Day
In honor of the nation's 250th anniversary, The Ohio State University hosted an event titled "Remember Our Union" to discuss the origins and continued significance of the U.S. Constitution. The event took place on September 17 at the Wexner Center for the Arts, coinciding with the annual observance of Constitution Day.
Leaders Reflect on the Importance of Constitution Day
Interim Executive Vice President and Provost Trevor Brown opened the event, emphasizing the diverse attendance of academic leaders, faculty, staff, and students. He highlighted Constitution Day as an opportunity not only to celebrate but also to reflect upon one of history’s pivotal contributions to democracy and to encourage ongoing learning.
Keynote Address Explores the Constitution’s Origins
Jason Opal, dean and director of Ohio State Mansfield and professor of history, delivered the keynote address. Opal provided historical context by noting that the U.S. Constitution was drafted in the summer of 1787 and released on September 17 of that year. He explained that the Constitution was ratified the following summer and formally implemented in the spring of 1789 with the inauguration of President George Washington and the first convening of Congress. According to Opal, the document remains the nation’s foundational law and continues to guide modern legal and political processes.
Panel Discussion Highlights the Constitution’s Ongoing Role
The event’s panel discussion featured Benjamin McKean, associate professor of political science, and Margaret Newell, professor of history, with moderation by Christopher McKnight Nichols, Wayne Woodrow Hayes Chair in National Security Studies and professor of history at the Mershon Center for International Security Studies. The discussion centered on how the us constitution remains a focal point in recent social and political events across the political spectrum.
McKean pointed to movements such as Occupy Wall Street, which began on September 17, 2011, as demonstrating the Constitution’s continued relevance and the diversity of perspectives it inspires. He cautioned against viewing Constitution Day and its meaning through a single political lens, noting the varied interpretations and significances attributed to the document.
Viewing the U.S. Constitution as a Living Document
In the panel dialogue, Margaret Newell addressed the concept of the Constitution as a living document. She explained that the us founding fathers designed the Constitution with the expectation that it would be reviewed, amended, and updated in response to societal changes. Newell highlighted the document's flexibility and vulnerability to constitutional amendment as key factors in its ongoing relevance to contemporary American democracy. She argued that while the Constitution holds historic importance, its adaptability through amendment is what has allowed it to persist and maintain its impact into the 21st century.
Continued Relevance and Enduring Impact
Throughout the event, participants explored themes around constitutional history, constitutional impact, and the continuing dialogue over its relevance in America today. The panelists reiterated that the U.S. Constitution—rooted in the nation’s founding yet designed to evolve—remains a dynamic foundation for both legal structures and ongoing public debate.
Source: news.osu.edu.
