Tuesday, we honored our Constitution, the foundation of our society.

Signed on Sept. 17, 1787, in Philadelphia, that document gave power, structure and form to the national system of government that began with the U.S. Declaration of Independence 11 years before.

There to reform the Articles of Confederation, this intelligent faction for the United States of America came up with what should be a familiar grouping of words: “We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish justice, insure domestic Tranquillity, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”

The Constitution is not a code. It is not a formula, and we thank God for that group of men who were present to create such a document.

It is the embodiment of a spirit, open to interpretation but inviolable so long as there are people with knowledge and an interest in free and open society still alive in the nation.

Though we continue in a period of division, right from left, Republican from Democrat, the United States of America was founded on principles that unite us in our hearts.

The Constitution enables our nation to be ruled without being subject to harsh dictatorship, guided without the use of force. It gave us the basic freedom to agree or disagree, to share ideas and ideals or reject them, without fear of reprisal, retaliation or imprisonment.

As we continue to go through a time of change nationally, it is important to remember the bedrock of the nation.

Locally, Lordstown High School commemorated the anniversary by presenting its annual event in which speakers from the local media — this year including our editor Brenda J. Linert, along with an on-air reporter from WFMJ TV in Youngstown — participated, speaking to students about the meaning of the First Amendment.

The lesson is an important one, and one which we all should be reminded. After all, the value of our Constitution and our First Amendment is not one that everyone in the world knows.

editorial@tribtoday.com