Every weekend, a rotating group of writers offers some ideas on ways to relax and, in this case, learn with your kids.

Today, the folks over at the N.C. Museum of History remind us that this week is Constitution Day. I had no idea.

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union . . . .

— From the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution

In 2004 the U.S. Congress passed an amendment establishing Sept. 17 as Constitution Day. The legislation not only created Constitution Day, but it stipulated that all publicly funded educational institutions provide some type of activity to teach students about the U.S. Constitution. Sept. 17 was chosen because delegates to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia signed the historic document on Sept. 17, 1787.

Only three of North Carolina’s five delegates to the convention signed the Constitution: William Blount; Richard Dobbs Spaight and Hugh Williamson. Blount later served in the U.S. Senate, faced impeachment, and settled in Tennessee, where he became governor. Spaight was elected governor of North Carolina and later served in the U.S. House of Representatives. He was killed in New Bern during a duel with a political rival. Williamson was the most outspoken (some would say too outspoken) of the delegates. After serving two terms in Congress, he moved to New York City and pursued his interests in scientific works and publishing (which included a history of North Carolina). He was a founder of the Literary and Philosophical Society of New-York and the New-York Historical Society.

There are excellent books about the Constitution to share with your children. Here are a few titles.

We the Kids: The Preamble to the Constitution of the United States by David Catrow

Shh! We're Writing the Constitution by Jean Fritz

. . . If You Were There When They Signed the Constitution by Elizabeth Levy

A More Perfect Union: The Story of Our Constitution by Betsy and Giulio Maestro

Learn more about North Carolina colonial history on Saturday, Sept. 27, at the N.C. Museum of History in Raleigh during Family Day: Colonial North Carolina. During the free event from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., families can explore our state’s past, from colonization to the American Revolution. The fun-filled day will include games, hands-on activities, re-enactors dressed in period clothing, workshops and demonstrations.

Check out our other daily themes at TriangleMom2Mom:

MONDAY: Meet!
TUESDAY: Ask!
WEDNESDAY: Eat!
THURSDAY: Play!
FRIDAY: Out!

WEEKEND: Relax!