Constitution Day

Constitution Day is a public holiday in Libertas Omnium Maximus commemorating the creation of the Maximusian Constitution in 1840 and its codification of fundamental rights. The holiday, observed on August 3 each year, is marked by overt celebrations of patriotism, parades, general revelry, communal meals, and political activism.

Background

After the defeat of Provisionalist forces during the Iustitian Civil War, members of the revolutionary republican political leadership met in the spring of 1840 to permanently codify the values they had fought so hard to promote. Drafted by eleven of the movement's preeminent statesmen, the Constitution created the modern Maximusian Republic, outlined its political organs, and established certain fundamental rights for all Maximusians, including rights to human dignity, free speech and protest, universal male suffrage (later extended to all adult citizens in 1926), and freedoms from tyranny and unjust imposition of government, among other things. The constitution was ratified on August 3, 1840.

The early years of the Maximusian Republic were marked by numerous informal holidays commemorating various founding events, and Constitution Day began as just one of these celebrations, first observed in 1841. Over time, however, Constitution Day was elevated by popular interest and widespread participation to the most revered of these holidays, even as fanfare surrounding other founding events eroded. Early celebrations were marked by elaborate parades and political speeches, in addition to fairs. On August 3, 1858, President Jacob Ross delivered an address commemorating the anniversary and encouraging all Maximusians to use the day as an opportunity to "reflect on the sacrifices of their founding forefathers" and make good use of the opportunities afforded to them as a consequence of their heroic actions. This speech may have given rise to the tradition of "exercising liberties," a popular modern tradition. In 1922, during the Halifax administration, Constitution Day was made an official public holiday across the federation, and its status has not changed over the past century and a half.

Observation

Today, most businesses, including all federal and provincial institutions, outside of hospitality and essential services, are closed for the holiday. As a result, Constitution Day is celebrated in a rich variety of ways. Larger towns and cities often throw lengthy parades or festive gatherings, sometimes including pyrotechnics, celebrity appearances, and musical performances. Since 1858, the sitting President has always made a speech on Constitution Day, with the exception of 2003, during which President Roger Hall was hospitalized and undergoing liver surgery. Other politicians, particularly provincial governors, often also give addresses. The holiday also has a memorial dimension, and many Maximusian organizations engage in service work for veterans or clean monuments, memorials, and combatant cemeteries.

Many Maximusians choose to embrace Ross' sentiment and exercise their liberties protected by the Constitution. This often takes the form of protest or other forms of activism. Greene Park, a large communal space opposite the Maximusian capital complex in Litudinem, is usually reserved on August 3 of each year for demonstrators, though many cities have significantly reduced the number of demonstration permits they grant for Constitution Day in recent years in order to prevent further traffic congestion and to avoid exacerbating safety concerns.

In addition to public events, Constitution Day has many individual and family traditions. People often gather with loved ones, extended family, friends, or their community for large meals and gatherings. Customarily, these events are potlucks, and participants bring simple meals, reflecting the ingredients and culinary styles that would have been available to Maximusians during the Civil War. MeleCreme, a traditional Maximusian millet beer popular with the masses in the 1840s because of its ease of production, is frequently consumed at these gatherings, though, due to the drink's acquired taste, many settle for more conventional lager or wine. Consequently, Constitution Day is considered a drinking holiday and a significant revenue day for many bars, taverns, and restaurants. Evenings are often capped off by fireworks and/or athletic competitions, often rivalry matches.