There are a couple of significant historical events that took place on this day many years ago. I know that I was never taught this in school, and I doubt much has changed. However, these events should not go unnoticed.
We know that we have the Declaration of Independence and we celebrate it every Fourth of July. But a new nation needs organization. Provisionally, the Continental Congress was formed in 1754 to provide government to the 13 colonies. As our nation was forming, though, something more solid and robust was needed.
From May 25 to September 17, 1787, members of the U.S. Constitutional Convention worked hard to produce a document outlining the reach and restrictions of government. Fifty-five delegates debated what government should look like. “They divided the government into three branches: the legislative branch to make the laws; the executive to execute the laws, and the judicial to interpret the laws. The delegates suffered through rough weather, heat, and illness. Despite the conditions, they formed a Bill of Rights enumerating the rights and freedoms of the people.”1 The first draft of the Constitution was approved on this day in 1787 with General George Washington leading the convention.
This was being taught in schools in 1911 because schools in Iowa became the first to declare this day as Constitution Day. In 1917, it became a nationwide celebration.
By 1940, Franklin D. Roosevelt proclaimed an “I Am An American Day.” By 1952, the day was changed to “Citizenship Day” and was moved to coincide with Constitution Day. By 2004, the day became officially Constitution and Citizenship Day.
Now, let’s go back to the founding of our country. On April 30, 1789, George Washington became the first United States president. And on this day in 1796, he wrote the final draft
of his farewell speech. “Two days later, the carefully crafted words appeared in Claypoole’s American Daily Advertiser, published in Philadelphia, officially notifying the American public that Washington would voluntarily step down as the nation’s first president. The decision was extraordinary: rarely, if ever, in the history of western civilization had a national leader voluntarily relinquished his title. The action set a model for successive U.S. administrations and future democracies…As Washington’s second term came to a close [on March 4,] 1797, he was in poor health, exhausted from years of internal squabbling amongst members of his cabinet and ready to retire to his beloved plantation in Virginia.”2
Two years later, our first president died. He was only 67.
My focus today is drawn to Washington’s farewell address. It was filled with hope and encouragement for a fledgling nation. He expressed gratitude to a nation that had bestowed so many honors and opportunities upon him. And in his retirement, he assured the nation that this was a normal and right passage of life.
The book of 2 Timothy has always held a bit of fascination and reverence to me. We are privileged to hear the final words of Paul. The book is filled with pertinent instructions as well as these almost final words.
“For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. (7) I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: (8) Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” (2 Timothy 4:6-8)
When we come to the end of our life’s journey, will we be able to say these words:
- I have fought a good fight.
- I have finished my course.
- I have kept the faith.
- I am loving and looking for His appearing.
- I am ready.
Besides thanking all three of his doctors, some of Washington’s last words were, “Doctor, I die hard; but I am not afraid to go; I believed from my first attack that I should not survive it; my breath can not last long.”3
To the church of Philippi, Paul wrote these words for our consideration in these final moments today. “For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, (20) According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.” (Philippians 1:19-20)
1https://nationaldaycalendar.com/celebrations/constitution-day-and-citizenship-day-september-17
2https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/september-17/washington-prepares-final-draft-of-farewell-address
3https://www.mountvernon.org/library/digitalhistory/digital-encyclopedia/article/the-death-of-george-washington
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