After New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify the Constitution on June 21, 1788, making it effective under its terms, the Congress operating under the Articles of Confederation set March 4, 1789 as the date on which the Constitution would become effective. Although the first president was not sworn in until April, his first term ended at noon four years after March 4, 1789 and that became inauguration day until it was changed to January 20 after Franklin Roosevelt's first inauguration on March 4, 1933.


So that means that today is the anniversary both of our Constitution and of the inaugurations of most of our presidents through Franklin Roosevelt. The New York Times series "On this day" dutifully reports all of this, but sort of makes it look like a coincidence that so many presidents seemed to take office on March 4 through the years. That the one they highlight is FDR's (not even Lincoln, but they may not have existed when he was sworn in), makes me smile.

So, that means that today is the 76th anniversary of the day Franklin Roosevelt reformed our country's government to put it on the side of its people, and to take responsibility for its welfare.

Which makes it the anniversary of a great day on several occasions, but to my mind, most notably this.