Bill of Rights Day 2007

Yesterday was the 216th anniversary of the ratification of the Bill of Rights. The first ten amendments to the Constitution had been proposed during the First Congress and by December 15, 1991, the requisite three-quarters of the states had approved them. (Two other amendments, proposed at the same time, failed to make the cut; one of those two was finally ratified in 1992.)

The downtown mall in Charlottesville was the site of a Bill of Rights Day commemoration. This annual event is sponsored by the Jefferson Area Libertarians.

This year, the speakers were John Munchmeyer, who introduced James Curtis (who led a recitation of the text of the Bill of Rights with the assembled citizens) and Jim Lark, and then later delivered some remarks of his own.

Here, in two parts, is a video of the 2007 Charlottesville Bill of Rights Day celebration.

Part I:



Part II:

Speaking of patriotic commemorations, today also marks the 234th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party.

For those who want to celebrate that historic event, visit the campaign web site of presidential candidate Ron Paul, whose supporters have organized a "moneybomb" to coincide with the anniversary. (The last such moneybomb, on November 5, raised a record $4.2 million in 24 hours.) Thousands of small-dollar contributions can add up quickly. Do your part to break another record!