Let freedom ring and fly, Idaho Falls celebrates 239th anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Constitution
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IDAHO FALLS — A small group of community members stood outside the Museum of Idaho and rang its bell 13 times to celebrate the 239th anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Constitution.
The Old Fort Hall Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution organized the event, and they and a few community members celebrated Constitution Day.
Constitution Day takes place every Sept. 17 and also marks the start of Constitution Week, where the Daughters of the American Revolution encourage every citizen to learn more about the Founding Fathers and the events leading up to its creation.
Melanie Mundt, regent for the chapter, said during the event that this tradition of ringing a bell started when the Constitution was signed; church bells rang out in Philadelphia.
“Today, we continue that tradition by ringing a bell in honor of our Constitution,” Mundt said.
Before the bells rang, a flyover took place, where two A-10 Warthogs and two World War II planes flew over the Museum and then across Idaho Falls and the surrounding communities to ring in the start of Constitution Day.
Idaho Falls City Councilman Jim Francis followed Mundt, highlighted the importance of the day, and wished more community members had been there to take part in the celebration.
He said the event remind residents that, 239 years ago, the founders instilled in every American the trust that we can govern ourselves and create the framework of our government.
“They knew that it wasn’t complete, but it was one step on the long road to make that Declaration of Independence (and) the principles of it a reality in this country,” Francis said. “We’re still on that road.”
As a former teacher in Idaho Falls, Francis discussed how the Constitution was changed or corrected. While the Constitution didn’t solve all the issues facing the framers in 1787, he said the same is true for us, and it’s on us to find solutions to the issues we face.
“It entrusted to the people of the United States, us, a system by which to solve problems. It gave themselves and us a process by which, step by step, to make the ideals of the Declaration reality for all,” Francis said.
Idaho Sen. Kevin Cook, R-Idaho Falls, said that, aside from the event itself, local high schools are participating in trivia questions about the Constitution to win prizes. This also runs alongside Jolyn Thomas on KID NewsRadio, where listeners can win prizes for answering those questions.
“This is such a beautiful moment, and you don’t have to look very far to see plenty of examples as to why it’s important that we do what we can right where we are to help people fall in love again with the American story,” Thomas said.
