September 17 is the birthday of the United States government, marking the date in 1787 when delegates to the Philadelphia Convention completed and signed the U.S. Constitution. The ideas on which America was founded -- commitments to rule of law, limited government and the ideals of liberty, equality and justice -- are embodied in the Constitution, the oldest written constitution of any nation.

Constitution Day is intended to celebrate not only the birthday of the federal government, but the ideas that make Americans.

The Constitution Project in Washington, D.C., is featuring a live Webcast, "How Flaws in the Criminal Justice System Result in Wrongful Convictions," on Thursday, Sept. 15 at 1:30 p.m., MDT. Pick up a free copy of the U.S. Constitution in the College of Arts & Sciences Dean's Office in Ortega Hall 201.

The Constitution Project brings together experts and practitioners from across the political spectrum to promote and safeguard America's founding charter. TCP is working to reform the nation's criminal justice system and to strengthen the rule of law through scholarship, consensus policy reforms, advocacy and public education.

Media Contact:Carolyn Gonzales (505) 277-5920; e-mail: cgonzal@unm.edu