Some 238 years ago, a contingent representing the states of the newly independent United States of America gathered in Philadelphia.

There to reform the Articles of Confederation, they came up with this familiar grouping of words, “We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish justice, insure domestic Tranquillity, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”

That carefully worded document, the foundation of our society, has endured, and we celebrate the Constitution and its authors each year on Sept. 17.

The United States Constitution was signed on Sept. 17, 1787, giving power, structure and form to the national system of government that began with the U.S. Declaration of Independence 11 years before.

The Constitution is not a code. It is not a formula. It is the embodiment of a spirit, open to interpretation but inviolable so long as there are people with knowledge and an interest in free and open society still alive in the nation.

Though we’ve entered a period of deep division, right from left, Republican from Democrat, the United States of America was founded on principles that were meant to unite us.

The Constitution enables our nation to be ruled without subject to harsh dictatorship, and guided without the use of force. It has given us the basic freedom to agree or disagree, to share ideas and ideals or reject them, without fear of reprisal, retaliation or imprisonment.

Locally, Historic Fort Steuben, once again, has joined with the Fort Steuben Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution to commemorating that event by presenting the annual exhibit, “Celebrate the Constitution.” As part of the program, visitors will be able to dig deeper into the meaning of the Constitution, study the display “The Bill of Rights and You,” which has been created by the National Archives Traveling Exhibits Service and watch a video that offers interesting insights into the Constitutional Convention of 1787.

Visitors will have the chance to sign a replica of the document.

The annual presentation runs through Sunday.

As we go through a time of change nationally, it is important to remember the bedrock of the nation today, on Constitution Day.