Constitution, document exploration continued

Heritage Days June 10-14, 2026 America’s 250th Celebration

Heritage Days 2026 celebrates the 250th birthday of America, Wednesday, June 10 through Sunday, June 14, Flag Day. The United States Constitution followed the Declaration of Independence and established the foundation for our system of Liberty. We continue to explore the document that was written to secure our freedoms.

Article 1, Section 7 states that all bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives; but the Senate may propose or concur with Amendments as on other Bills. Every Bill which shall have passed the House of Representatives and the Senate, shall, before it becomes a Law, be presented to the President of the United States; if he approves he shall sign it, but if not he shall return it, with his Objections to that House, in which it shall have originated. Section 7 further describes the further particulars of voting for or against a bill.

Article 1, Section 8 grants Congress the ability to execute necessary steps to maintain the nation within specific parameters: Clause 1 gives Congress the power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States. Clause 2 allows Congress to borrow money on the credit of the United States. Clause 3, Congress regulates commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and the Indian tribes. 4, Congress establishes a uniform Rule of Naturalization, and uniform Laws on the Subject of Bankruptcies throughout the United States. 5, Congress has the ability to coin money, regulates the value thereof and of foreign coin and fix the standard of weights and measures.

Article 1, Section 8, 6, Provides for the punishment of counterfeiting the securities and current coin of the United States. 7, Congress establishes Post Offices and Post Roads. 8, Congress secures the exclusive rights for authors and investors to their respective writings and discoveries. 9, Congress constitutes Tribunals inferior to the Supreme Court. 10, Congress defines and punishes piracies and felonies committed on the High Seas and offences against the Law of Nations. 11, Congress can declare war, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal and make Rules concerning captures on land and water. 12, Raise and support Armies. 13, Provide and maintain a Navy. 14, 15,16,17,18, all deal with military organizations, arming, militia and more.

Article 1, Section 9 says the Migration or Importation of such Persons as any of the States now existing shall think proper to admit, shall not be prohibited by the Congress prior to the Year one thousand eight hundred and eight, the Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus, Taxes, Regulation of Commerce, Treasury money, no Title of Nobility granted by the United States.

Article 1, Section 10 has 3 parts that all explain the lack of rights of a State concerning treaties, alliances, confederations, coining money, laying any imposts or duties on imports or exports, laying any duty of tonnage, keeping troops or ships or war in time of peace, engage in war unless actually invaded that will not admit of delay and more.

Next week will explore Article II, Sections 1,2,3,4.