Government Documents

Constitution Day and Voting Registration Day--Sept. 17th

On September 17, 1787, after months of debate, our Founding Fathers sat down at the Constitutional Convention and signed one of the most significant documents of our nation’s history: the U.S. Constitution. Since its ratification in 1789, the Constitution has been the primary basis for our country’s government and fundamental laws. But as our society has evolved, so have the perspectives on this founding document. Constitutional debates are ongoing as people continue to disagree on how the Constitution should be interpreted in modern circumstances, with opinions varying greatly in both Congress and the Supreme Court.

Constitutional amendments in particular have been at the core of some very hot button issues. For example, while the 15th and 19th amendments aim to protect a citizen’s right to vote, problems surrounding voter discrimination still exist today. This year, National Voter Registration Day shares its date with U.S. Constitution Day (Sept. 17th). This year is another big election year, and with the race to presidency finally ramping up. It’s important now, more than ever, to get registered and to stay informed.

We invite you to browse some of our department’s relevant resources and commemorative display as we celebrate U.S. Constitution Day and Voter Registration Day 2024. Our display can be found at Marx Library on 2nd Floor South with an 8-page bibliography for additional information.

Hurricane Preparedness

Hurricane season is upon us again! While anyone from down South knows the full capabilities of these super storms, those new to the area might find this annual surge in severe weather a little daunting. Tropical cyclones are capable of damaging winds, high levels of rainfall, and widespread community damage. Hurricane preparedness is essential for these very reasons. From building emergency kits to fortifying storm shelters, there is a lot that can be done to prepare and persist through these super storms. Hurricanes have always greatly impacted the southeast region of the United States, but with growing concerns of intensified weather patterns, it is imperative, now more than ever, to be aware, be prepared, and to take action.

We invite you now to browse some of our department’s hurricane preparedness resources and informative display as we approach the most active months of the Atlantic Hurricane Season. The display can be found at Marx Library on 2nd Floor South with additional handouts and a 7-page bibliography. For even more information, check out our newest LibGuide, Gov Docs: Hurricane Preparedness.

Wildfires: Tis the Season

Over the past several years, wildfires have been growing in size, duration, and destructivity. Overgrown forests, a warming climate, and a growing number of homes in the wildland-urban interface, following more than a century of rigorous fire suppression, have all contributed to what is now a full-blown wildfire and forest health crisis. A new display “Wildfires: Tis the Season” has gone up in the Marx Library on second floor South, highlighting some of the many federal government resources on the subject. A companion 11-page bibliography is available.

On a related topic, this month marks the 80th anniversary of the birth of Smokey Bear. Since 1944 he has been the face of the “Only you can prevent forest fires” campaign by the U.S. Forest Service.

80 Years of Smokey Bear [official web site]

Happy 80th Birthday, Smokey [article by National Archives]

Smokey Bear's 80th Birthday [Marx Library resource bibliography]