Sep 3rd, 2008
Jackson, Tenn. -- Diana Fordham, assistant professor of history, will present a Constitution Day lecture at noon on Wednesday, Sept. 17 in the Science Auditorium. The topic of the lecture will be the issue of separation of church and state.
Fordham will discuss the myths and misconceptions that will enable the individual to understand the complex issue of the roles that religion and the state play in our everyday lives.
'It has become apparent that there is a lot of misinformation, misunderstandings, and myths which distort people's perception of the fundamentals of this Constitutional principal,' said Fordham. 'It is imperative to understand the nature of how religion and government should interact.'
Constitution Day (or Citizenship Day) is an American federal holiday that recognizes the ratification of the United States Constitution, and also recognizes all who have become citizens due to either coming of age or naturalization. It is observed on September 17, the day the U.S. Constitutional Convention signed the Constitution in 1787. The law establishing the holiday was created in 2004 with the passage of an amendment by Senator Robert Byrd to the Omnibus spending bill of 2004. Before this law was enacted, the holiday was known as 'Citizenship Day'.
For more information on JSCC's Constitution Day activities, contact Fordham at 731-424-3520 x736 or dfordham@jscc.edu.