Happy Constitution Day! 219 years ago today, the Constitutional Convention wrapped up its business and presented the country with the new charter that it would take ten months to adopt, and another nine after that to get up and running with flesh to match the words. All these years later, it is appropriate to pause for a moment and breathe an exhalation of gratitude to the people of that generation and the leaders who made the finest political order in world history.

It is right and proper to celebrate Independence Day on July 4. But the neglect of Constitution Day has always struck me as unfortunate. Hey, can we trade in that silly Labor Day for a real holiday connected to something worth celebrating?