Read the full Constitution on the National Archives site >>

Still looking for ideas about how to spend your summer? How about with 54 other people in a hot room, wearing wigs and knickers, creating a form of government that lasts for centuries? That’s what our founding fathers did 225 years ago, starting on this very day – May 14, 1787 – in Philadelphia.

OK, we’re not going to recreate that experience. But we are going to spend the summer bringing the Constitution to life and showing you how it affects you every day. Don’t worry, there are no re-enactors or field trips. Just tidbits, anecdotes, explanations, quizzes and questions – and a reminder that you are living the Constitution and are as much a part of it as those 55 men were – hence, Be The People. We’ll culminate on September 17, the day the founders signed the final document.

Let’s start today… with the ending: the Constitution itself. Read it, tweet and share it. And if you find it hard to read – stay tuned. We’ll unravel the knotty bits and help you think about the document in ways you never have before.

We’ll be sharing more project information, tool kits and resources as well as event details in the coming months so please check back regularly. To stay on top of all the Be the People: A Constitution Conversation news, please follow us on Twitter, @92YC4AC and #BeThePeople, and on Facebook, http://facebok.com/AmericanConversation.

Be The People is a non-partisan, joint effort between 92nd Street Y’s Campaign for the American Conversation and Republic Square. 92nd Street Y is a world-class nonprofit community and cultural center that connects people at every stage of life to the worlds of education, the arts, health and wellness, and Jewish life. Republic Square is non-partisan, non-profit organization that promotes leadership and integrity in politics through the development of political and civic engagement programs.