Description
The Commission on the Bicentennial of the Constitution (the Commission), consisting of 23 members appointed by President
Ronald Reagan, was charged with promoting and coordinating activities to commemorate the 200 year anniversary of the Constitution.
This collection documents the work of the Commission, as well as activities planned by state and local organizations for the
Bicentennial. These records consist of the meeting materials, planning documents, and publications generated by the Commission,
as well as materials highlighting events that took place throughout the United States.
Background
The Commission on the Bicentennial of the Constitution was created by an Act of Congress (Public Law 98-101) in September
1983 in order to promote and coordinate the commemoration of the 200 year anniversary of the Constitution. In 1985, President
Ronald Reagan appointed the Commission's 23 members. Chief Justice Warren E. Burger, who resigned from the Supreme Court in
1986 to focus his attention on the Commission, served as the Chairman. Commission members included historians, professors,
judges, and businesspeople. Among the appointed members was Bernard H. Siegan, Professor of Law and Director of Law and Economics
Studies at the University of San Diego School of Law. At the time, Siegan was the author of seven books including
Economic Liberties and the Constitution
. Prior to his appointment, he served on President Ronald Reagan's Task Force on Housing (1980-1981) and Commission on Housing
(1981-1982), and served as a consultant to the Federal Trade Commission.