Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

THE CONSTITUTIONAL WALKING TOUR OFFERS A VARIETY OF EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES TO COMMEMORATE CONSTITUTION DAY ON SEPTEMBER 17

Teachers are Invited to Have Their Students Enter the American Freedom Essay Contest to Win a Free Field Trip of Historic Philadelphia for Their Entire Class

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – September 10, 2007 – The Constitutional Walking Tour of Philadelphia today announced its 2007 Constitution Day Resources to help celebrate Constitution Day. September 17th is designated as Constitution Day because on that date in 1787, the delegates of the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia signed the United States Constitution at Independence Hall. The Constitutional Walking Tour is celebrating Constitution Day throughout the month of September, and teachers are encouraged to utilize The Constitutional's many free educational resources available at: www.TheConstitutional.com/1787 .

American Freedom Essay Contest

In honor of Constitution Day, The Constitutional Walking Tour wants students to give their views about American freedom. The American Freedom Essay Contest challenges educators to get their students to write a 100-300 word essay on the importance of freedom in their lives. Entries will be judged in Elementary School, Middle School and High School categories with the winner in each category earning a free field trip of Historic Philadelphia with The Constitutional Walking Tour for his/her class.* The deadline for entries is October 15, 2007. For more details, educators are encouraged to visit www.TheConstitutional.com/schools.

Background on Constitution Day

In late 2004, Senator Robert Byrd, one of the United States Senate’s leading Constitutional scholars, introduced legislation that President George W. Bush signed into law on December 8, 2004 requiring that all schools, colleges and Federal agencies receiving Federal funds offer annual educational programming involving the Constitution of the United States on or around Constitution Day, September 17th.

“Walking in the Founding Fathers’ footsteps with The Constitutional Walking Tour of Philadelphia is a great way to commemorate Constitution Day. Along the tour, visitors see many important sites related to the U.S. Constitution including The First Bank of the United States which sparked the first great Constitutional debate between strict and loose constructionalists,” stated Jonathan Bari, Chairman of The Constitutional Walking Tour. “Whether you want to visit Historic Philadelphia in person, or take a “virtual field trip,” we can assist in integrating The Constitutional’s educational programming into your Constitution Day curriculum.”

Constitution Day Offerings, Plus Field Trips and Group Tours Year-Round

The Constitutional Walking Tour offers a variety of resources to help Educational Institutions and Federal Agencies fulfill the annual requirement for Constitution Day programming. Below is a detailed list of the resources for Educators, Students, Government and Military and Community Leaders.

• The Constitutional Guided Walking Tour –The Constitutional Guided Walking Tour tells the dramatic story of the brave men and women who were responsible for creating America. Step back in time to see where The United States Constitution was created. See more than 20 of the most historic sites and attractions in 75 minutes on a 1.25-mile outdoor journey, including many sites and topics related to the U.S. Constitution such as Independence Hall and the National Constitution Center. Group tours and field trips are available year-round with advance reservations. Group rates and student discounts are available for groups of 25 or more. For more information, visit www.TheConstitutional.com/schools, or call our group sales department at 215.525.1776.
  
  
• The Constitutional Self-Guided Walking Tour – Exercise your right to explore the Constitution! The Constitutional Self-Guided Walking Tour takes you on a free self-guided walking journey through America's Most Historic Square Mile - the birthplace of our nation. Step back in time to see where The United States Constitution was created. The 3-mile outdoor journey features more than 30 historical sites in the Independence Park area, including many sites and topics related to the U.S. Constitution. Brochures can be printed at www.TheConstitutional.com/tour .
  
  
• The Constitutional Virtual Field Trip — For those who cannot travel to Philadelphia this September, The Constitutional provides free “virtual field trips” through our interactive web site so that you can "walk" in the Founding Fathers' footsteps and learn about the birth of our Nation, including the creation of the U.S. Constitution, by taking The Constitutional's tour online. For more information, visit www.TheConstitutional.com/1787 .
  
  
• Educational Resources, Materials & Merchandise — The Constitutional’s one-stop-shopping Web site has organized the most popular Constitution-related resources for you. Educators will find a variety of resources available for purchase to fulfill their educational needs for Constitution Day, including various types of historical documents including pocket Constitutions with key facts and indices, as well as faux parchment scrolls the Constitution of the United States and the Bill of Rights - and we even offer sets with quill pens. We also provide recommended reading lists for students of all ages through our online store powered by Amazon.com. For more information, visit www.TheConstitutional.com/store .

For details on all of The Constitutional’s educational resources, please visit www.TheConstitutional.com/1787 .

About The Constitutional Walking Tour of Philadelphia

The Constitutional Walking Tour of Philadelphia takes visitors on a walking journey through America's Most Historic Square Mile, the birthplace of our nation – “Where Every Day is Independence Day!”™ Located in Center City Philadelphia, The Constitutional includes many sites within the Independence National Historical Park area, which is home to the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. The Constitutional guides visitors on a walk through history where The Declaration of Independence and The United States Constitution were created. The Constitutional is one of Philadelphia’s “Top 25 Tourist Attractions” as ranked by the Philadelphia Business Journal and one of the leading providers of School Field Trips of Historic Philadelphia. Visitors can experience The Constitutional: 1) on their own as a free, self-guided walking tour, 2) with a lively tour guide for a fee, 3) with the Philly MP3 Audio Tour or 4) via the Constitutional Cell Phone Tour by calling 215-229-TOUR (8687). For more information on The Constitutional’s self-guided tours, guided tours, field trips, private tours, VIP tours and audio tours, please visit www.TheConstitutional.com .

*No purchase necessary. For complete contest rules, please see www.TheConstitutional.com/essayrules

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EDITOR’S NOTES - For Education media, please visit The Constitutional’s various online resources:

High-resolution Photographs of Historic Philadelphia are available for media usage at:
www.TheConstitutional.com/images .

Story Ideas on The Constitutional Walking Tour, Historic Philadelphia and Heritage Tourism are available for media usage at:
www.TheConstitutional.com/StoryIdeas .

By the Numbers statistics on The Constitutional Walking Tour and Historic Philadelphia are available for media usage at:
www.TheConstitutional.com/numbers .