A celebration of the anniversary of America’s framework document began with a bell-ringing ceremony and speeches Wednesday on the lawn of the Old Court House Museum.

The event, celebrating the 227th anniversary of the drafting of the U.S. Constitution, drew about 100 people for a bell-ringing ceremony to celebrate Constitution Week.

“I think the Constitution Day program is great, and I’m glad we have a Constitution,” said 9-year-old Cub Scout Connor Johnston. “I’m happy we have freedom.”

The words echoed the message of a keynote address given by retired U.S. Army Col. Rick Martin, who is chief of operations at Vicksburg National Military Park.

“It is significant because at the Constitution’s creation it was an experiment. Basically, it still is,” Martin said.

The Constitution, which was written over a period of about four months in Philadelphia, Pa., was a radical idea in 1787, but because of the foresight of the delegates who drafted the document it is still relevant today.

“They did it, and it’s a miracle,” Martin said.

Before the Constitution, every attempt at a democratic republic had failed, which is why the framers included a system of checks and balances, Martin said.

“They had pondered long and hard over the lessons of history about why republics had failed and why governments over time had become tyrannical,” Martin said.

In addition to Martin’s address, the program included Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and members of Children of the American Revolution and the Ashmead Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution to participate in the program.

“This is our one big chance for DAR to get the kids together,” said Mary Landin of the Ashhmead Chapter.

North Ward Alderman Michael Mayfield acting as Mayor Pro Tempore presented Landin with a proclamation declaring Sept. 17-23 as Constitution Week in Vicksburg. Mayor George Flaggs Jr. was at Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative meeting in New Orleans.