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A collection of TCP's work celebrating our founding charter and the rights and liberties it enshrines, and a chance to take stock of the work that remains to ensure its protections extend to everyone in the country. More

Constitutional Principles

Join Our Celebration of the Constitution

By David Janovsky & Dylan Hedtler-Gaudette & Jake Laperruque & Sarah Turberville | Filed under analysis | September 17, 2018

September 17 is Constitution Day—the anniversary of the signing of the Constitution in Philadelphia in 1787. It’s an opportunity to celebrate our founding charter and the rights and liberties it enshrines, and a chance to take stock of the work that remains to ensure its protections extend to everyone in the country.

Above all, Constitution Day is an occasion for civic education. In fact, since 2004 Congress has mandated that all federal agencies and federally funded schools provide educational opportunities about the Constitution on the day.

Turn up the volume on our Constitution Day playlist! https://spoti.fi/2D5DXow

This year, The Constitution Project at the Project On Government Oversight (POGO) is taking a whole week to celebrate the Constitution. We’ll be posting a series of articles imagining life without key constitutional rights, and you can visit POGO’s Facebook page for an interactive adventure to see what could happen in a world without the Constitution. We’ll also be featuring interviews with experts who have dedicated their careers to defending the Constitution. As you explore our content, be sure to listen to our staff-curated Spotify playlist inspired by the 27 amendments—check it out below. Finally, on Friday, Constitution Project staff will hold a Twitter chat looking back at the week and previewing some of the work to come.

Listen: Constitution-Themed Playlist

In any event, we hope you enjoy this playlist on Constitution Day and any time you need a reminder of the individual rights and limits on government power found in our nation’s founding document (along with a handful of constitutional modifications to prevent repetition of past missteps…we’re looking at you, 12th Amendment!). 

We've included a table of the songs and corresponding amendments below.

SongArtistAmendment to the Constitution
Express YourselfNWA1st: Freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and to petition the government
Happiness is a Warm GunThe Beatles2nd: Right to keep and bear arms
No QuarterLed Zeppelin3rd: Prohibits quartering of troops without consent of homeowner
Searchin'The Coasters4th: Prohibits unreasonable search or seizure; warrants must be issued on probable cause
The Sound of SilenceSimon and Garfunkel5th: Guarantees rights to due process, against self-incrimination, against double jeopardy, and to just compensation
I Stand AccusedAl Green6th: Right to impartial jury, speedy trial, presentment of charges, confrontation of witnesses, subpoena, and counsel.
Ambulance ChaserClap Your Hands Say Yeah7th: Right to jury trial in civil cases over $20
It's Not UnusualTom Jones8th: Prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment
Things Left UnsaidPink Floyd9th: People have rights in addition to those explicitly listed in the Constitution
People Have the PowerPatti Smith10th: Rights not delegated in the Constitution are reserved for the states or the people.
U Can't Touch ThisMC Hammer11th: Sovereign immunity—states are immune to suits for money damages or equitable relief without their consent
The Election of 1800Hamilton (Daveed Diggs, Okieriete Onaodowan, Leslie Odom Jr., Lin-Manuel Miranda)12th: Amends the electoral college to prevent a tie for President (*like in the election of 1800 )
Oh Freedom!The Golden Gospel Singers13th: Prohibition of slavery (except in cases of imprisonment)
A Change is Gonna ComeSam Cooke14th: Defines citizenship, right to due process and equal protection in the states
Voice Your ChoiceThe Radiants15th: Right to vote can't be abridged on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude
TaxmanThe Beatles16th: Federal government power to collect income tax
PopularWicked (Kristin Chenoweth)17th: Provides for popular election of U.S. Senators
Drinkin' ProblemMidland18th: Prohibition of alcohol
Sisters are Doing It For ThemselvesAretha Franklin, Eurythmics19th: Right to vote can't be abridged on account of sex
Closing TimeSemisonic20th: Specifies end date of presidential term of office on Jan 20th; and end date for Senators' term on Jan. 3
Have a Drink on MeAC/DC21st: Repeal of Prohibition
Love Me Two TimesThe Doors22nd: Term limits for the president
Chocolate CityParliament23rd: DC as seat of government and DC residents can vote in presidential election (but otherwise have no representation in Congress)
Money, Money, MoneyABBA24th: Bans poll tax
CrazyPatsy Cline25th: Presidential succession in case of removal, death, resignation, or incapacitation (or inability)
I'm EighteenAlice Cooper26th: Right to vote at age 18
Rich GirlHall & Oates27th: A raise that Congress gives itself can't take effect until the after the next election

Check back throughout the week to join our celebration of the Constitution!

Help us shine a light on government waste, corruption, and abuse of power.

From exposing fraud in the use of COVID-19 relief funds to holding our elected officials accountable for getting resources to those who need them most, POGO fights day in and day out for a more effective government that better serves the people it’s supposed to serve—you. But we can only continue to do this with your help.

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The Constitution Project

The Constitution Project works to combat the increasing partisan divide regarding our constitutional rights and liberties.

Author

  • Author

    David Janovsky

    David Janovsky is an analyst for The Constitution Project at POGO.

  • Author

    Dylan Hedtler-Gaudette

    Dylan Hedtler-Gaudette is a Government Affairs Manager at POGO.

  • Author

    Jake Laperruque

    Jake Laperruque is Senior Counsel with The Constitution Project at POGO.

  • Author

    Sarah Turberville

    Sarah Turberville is the Director of the Constitution Project at POGO.

Related Tags

    Constitutional Principles Civil Liberties

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