San Diego to Salute the Bicentennial of the U.S. Constitution

It may be because of the strong Navy presence here.

Or it could come from the feelings stirred by the recent victory of Stars & Stripes in the America’s Cup sailing competition.

Whatever the reason, organizers of planned celebrations for the bicentennial of the U.S. Constitution are convinced that San Diego has the most patriotic citizens outside of Philadelphia, where the nation’s basic legal document was created.

That is why members of the San Diego County Commission of the Bicentennial have scheduled more events this month than any locale in the country except Philadelphia, spokeswoman Kathleen McCort said Monday.

Although San Diego was not a city or part of the confederation of states that produced the document 200 years ago, the feeling among the celebration planners is that this is no handicap to understanding the importance of the Constitution to the country. The subject of lack of interest is not a concern.

“If there is a problem, it’s a problem all over the country,” said Jamie Gold, a spokeswoman for the commission. “Being in California, away from the East Coast and the seat of our original country, if there’s a lack of patriotism it is from people’s ignorance, not because we’re 3,000 miles away.”

‘Blatant Ignorance’

Gold, originally from Washington, said people there may be more aware of government and its history, but she encountered the same “blatant ignorance” about the Constitution there that she has here in San Diego.

“Here, people aren’t driving past the White House every day,” Gold said of the difference.

Kathleen McCort of the Constitution commission said San Diego has the patriotic edge because Washington is more oriented to issues and politics. Having lived in both areas, McCort said she thinks there is more patriotism in San Diego because of the military and the Stars & Stripes, which won the America’s Cup in head-to-head competition with yachts of other nations.

Still, people will confuse Independence Day with the 200th birthday of the Constitution, she said, and many tend to take the U.S. Constitution for granted.

Sept. 17 will mark the 200th year since 39 Founding Fathers from 12 states ended a four-month Philadelphia convention with the signing of the Constitution. Later amendments to the original document contained such basic freedoms as speech and press.

Kicking off events this month are half-time fireworks Friday at San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium at the San Diego Chargers last pre-season football game against the New York Jets. Other scheduled celebrations around the county include:

- Dedication of the seventh race Sunday at the Del Mar Race Track to the U.S. Constitution. Betty Hubbard, co-chairman of the Bicentennial, presenting the winning flowers.

- A Constitution Cup Regatta at 11 a.m. Sept. 12, beginning at the B Street Pier.

- On Sept. 17, the formal Constitution Day, a 1 p.m. salute to more than 250 new San Diego citizens at the entrance to Horton Plaza on Broadway Circle as they sign a replica of the document; a prayer breakfast at 7 a.m. at the Scottish Rite Temple, and a 7:30 p.m. concert with the R.B. Chorale at the East County Performing Arts Center in El Cajon.

- On Sept. 19, a block party on Washington Street in Julian with Assemblyman Bill Bradley speaking, and a 10 a.m. parade in Balboa Park hosted by San Diego Masons.

- A Sept. 25 Seaport Village celebration starts at 5:30 p.m., including a chance to sign a copy of the Constitution.

- A Sept. 26 luncheon open to the first 500 people to arrive will be held at 11 a.m. on board the aircraft carrier Carl Vinson with the Marine Band and Drill Team. Tickets are $35 a person. That evening, the Sheraton Harbor Island East will be the site of a Bicentennial Ball to raise funds to put Constitution plaques in all San Diego schools. Tickets cost as much as $250 a person. U.S. Atty. Gen. Edwin Meese III and Sen. Pete Wilson (R-Calif.) are to attend.