The Constitution was signed September 17, 1787, 222 years ago, by 39 very courageous men. Though not included in the federal holidays Americans love to celebrate and that receive the most attention, it is indeed the birthday of our form of government, the supreme law of the land.

The commemoration of the signing of the Constitution has been much neglected. In 1952 Congress designated the day as Citizenship Day and the focus was shifted to new citizens — as has the dictates of the Constitution itself. So it would seem imperative — given the present-day insidious abuse, disregard, and outright attacks the cherished document suffers — that today all of us re-dedicate ourselves to a serious affirmation and maintenance of the principles of the Constitution. For it is in upholding and defending this document that will allow us to secure the blessings of individual freedom and responsibility our Founding Fathers bequeathed to us.

There are planned activities for school-agers and college students across the land, some focusing on the reading of the Constitution itself, a laudable exercise, albeit a rather cursorial one unless it is accompanied by study of the original intent. Other planned exercises see college students dissecting Supreme Court cases wherein the law is to be constitutionally applied.

Here at the John Birch Society, we have a beginner-level quiz on the Constitution for you to take, or to administer to your co-workers and family members; even high schoolers should find it easy enough and profitable. The purpose of the quiz is just to get people thinking along Constitutional lines and ask themselves whether or not it’s still being followed the way the Founders intended. 

CONSTITUTION QUIZ

1. Who alone is authorized to make the laws of the land?  1) The president  2) Federal Agencies  3) Supreme Court  4) Congress  5) None of the above

2. Who alone is authorized to declare war, provide for the common defense, and raise and support armies?  1) House of Representatives  2) Congress  3) The President  4) Federal Reserve  5) None of the above

3. Where must all revenue bills originate?  1) The House  2) The President  3) The Senate  4) None of the above

4. Who is authorized to set America’s energy policy?  1) House  2) Senate  3) The President  4) Department of Energy  5) EPA  6) None of the above

5. Who is authorized to fund and control America’s medical system?  1) House  2) Senate  3) The President  4) Department of Health and Human Services  5) None of the above

6. Who is authorized to use tax money from citizens and give it to other citizens or foreign governments?  1) Congress  2) Federal Reserve  3) The President  4) The IRS  5) None of the above

7. Who is authorized to dictate rules and regulations for businesses?  1) House  2) Senate  3) The President  4) Ways and Means Committee  5) None of the above

8. Who is authorized to coin money?  1) Congress  2) U.S. Treasury  3) Federal Reserve  4) None of the above
(Three Bonus Points for knowing from which document and section grants this power.)

9. Who is authorized to prop up and monetarily support failing businesses?  1) House  2) Senate  3) The President  4) U.S. Treasure  5) Federal Reserve  6) none of the above

10. Who is authorized to issue paper money?  1) Federal Reserve  2) Treasury Dept.  3) State Department  4) Congress  5) none of the above

11. What is the classic definition of inflation?  1) Higher prices  2) Increase in the money supply  3) Excessive spending by consumers  4) devaluation of the dollar  5) none of the above

12. What is the single biggest cause of inflation?  1) consumer greed  2) corporate greed  3) government issuance of paper money  4) Out-of-control capitalism  5) none of the above

13. When was Income Tax instituted?  1) 1898  2) 1919  3) 1913  4) 1929  5) none of the above

14. What is the value of the dollar today compared to the dollar when the Federal Reserve was instituted in 1913?  1) 15 cents  2) 5 cents  3) 1 cent  4) 50 cents  5) none of the above

For the answers to this quiz, see bottom of this page.

We also strongly urge you to watch John McManus' “Overview” and share it with others.

Constitution Quiz Answer Key:  1. Congress;  2. Congress;  3. The House;  4. None of the above;  5. None of the above;  6. None of the above;  7. None of the above;  8. Congress; Three-point Bonus: Article I, Section 8;  9. None of the above;  10. None of the above;  11. Increase in the money supply;  12. Government issuance of paper money;  13. 1913;  14. 5 cents.

Rating Your Score: 14 correct answers plus the three-point bonus gives you 17, for September 17, 1787 — you are an excellent constitutionalist. Scores from 10 to 13 show you are a good constitutionalist.  If you are in the 5 to 9 category, you really need to beef up on your Constitution.  Below that, some serious study is in order; you can start by reading the Constitution, and move on to the writings of the Founding Fathers.

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danwhitehead1 said:

	I'm ashamed to say - - - - - - that I got numbers 10 and 14 wrong. My incorrect answer to number 10 was congress; my incorrect answer to number 14 was 1 cent.
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September 17, 2009
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Lee Gonzales said:

	Thought I had 'em all correct I really thought that the value of the so-called dollar actually had less purchasing power that 5 cents. I guess I answered wrong and I am feeling better knowing the "legal tender note" is worth more than the one penny value I thought it was worth!
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September 17, 2009
Votes: +1

Larry Brown said:

	... I got them all, but the correct answer to # 14 is 2.036 cents ( 20.67/1015).
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September 17, 2009 | url
Votes: +1

Pat Henry said:

Ought to have a Party It would be a good Constitution Day commemoration to look at how to OBEY IT IN ACTUAL POLICY today. Thankfully, we can do this by reading the platform at www.ConstitutionParty.com, which is indeed libertarian in economics as well as legal on the basis of true common law restraint of government in ordering society. In other wors, economically sound, with the proven jurisprudence that gave rise to our freedoms.

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September 17, 2009
Votes: +2

Peter Steele said:

	My patriotic father As a Valley Forge Freedoms Foundation winner, I have books on Thomas Jefferson, many books on George Washington and other great men of the founding era. Dad and I never betrayed America as Dad was Birch since 1964. R.I.P. RADM Steele
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September 17, 2009
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SCHNORCHEL said:

	Back to Basics It's always good to get back to basics, just like that given to US by The John Birch society.
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September 20, 2009
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