Constitution Day and Citizenship Day

    On Thursday,  Sept. 17, we  should be observing  “Constitution Day and Citizenship Day” to commemorate the signing  of the Constitution on Sept. 17, 1787, and “recognize all who, by coming of age or by naturalization, have become citizens.”

This commemoration had its origin in 1940 and was known as “I Am An American Day,” but in 1952 Congress repealed it by passing a new law establishing Sept. 17 as the date to commemorate “the formation and signing on Sept. 17, 1787, of the Constitution of the United States.” The day was still designated as “Citizenship Day” to recognize all those who had attained American citizenship.

      It should be noted here that in many countries, constitution days are national holidays. Just to mention two countries of which numerous representatives live in our area: May 3 is the national and public holiday “Constitution Day” in Poland, and June 28 is the public holiday “Constitution Day” in Ukraine.

      The first Polish Constitution was adopted  May 3, 1971, by the Great Sejm (parliament) of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. The first Ukrainian constitution, known as “Pylyp Orlyk Constitution,” was written  in 1710 by Hetman Pylyp Orlyk, Kozak leader of Ukraine, then within the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. The current Ukrainian constitution  was adopted by parliament “Verkhovna Rada” (supreme council) June 28, 1996, to replace the worthless constitution  of the so-called Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, a puppet entity of the Russian Communist Soviet Union.

      I am not necessarily advocating making this day a national holiday, but there should be more attention devoted, especially in the schools, to it.

      The so-called “Stalin’s Constitution” of the former Soviet Union was also observed as a national holiday and presented to the public, especially to the school children (“Constitution” was one of the required subjects in schools), as the most democratic document in the world, while none of the provisions  of said constitution was observed by the Communist party and the Soviet government. 

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     The traditional and very popular Ukrainian American dinners at the Parish Center of the Presentation of the Most Holy Mother of God (St. Mary’s) Ukrainian Catholic Church, 1078 N. Biscayne Drive, will be served between 4:30 p.m. and 6 p.m., starting this Friday, Sept. 18. The menu will include, but not be limited to, the famous Ukrainian “varenyky” (perogies) and “holubtsi” (cabbage rolls). For more information, including cost, call St. Mary’s at 941-426-7931.

      Volunteers will gather at 8 a.m., Thursday at the Parish Center to make these delicacies. Individuals who would like to learn how to make these Ukrainian specialties  are welcome to join the regular volunteers. 

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     Members of Cpl. Roman G. Lazor Post 40 of the Ukrainian American Veterans, led by Post Commander Col. Roman Rondiak, USA (Ret.), met last Friday at St. Andrew’s Ukrainian Religious and Cultural Center, known as the “Oseredok.”     

    They elected delegates to the UAV 68th National Convention, confirmed the post’s participation  in the Nov. 11 North Port Veterans Day observances, and confirmed the traditional Veterans Day Luncheon at Heron Creek Golf &  Country Club on Nov. 12.

 

Atanas Kobryn covers the Ukrainian community for the North Port Sun. He can be emailed at atanask@aol.com.

 

Our Neighbors — The Ukrainians

by Atanas Kobryn