2026 Essay Contest
The first sentence of the Constitution of the United States begins: “We the People” and continues “of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.” On July 4, 1776, the United States declared its independence from the British Empire. The Declaration of Independence included a list of grievances against King George III, explaining why the American colonies were separating from Great Britian. Please write an individual or class essay with the theme:
“Does the United States Constitution address the grievances listed in the Declaration of Independence? If so, explain how.”
This essay contest is open to all 5th and 6th grade students and classes in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and U.S. Virgin Islands schools. The essay contest is open to 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th grade students and classes in Delaware. The essay may be an individual essay or a class essay. If a class is submitting an essay, one essay must be submitted on behalf of the class. Individual and class essays must be submitted on or before Tuesday, March 31, 2026.
Students may include up to two (2) grievances in the list below from the Declaration of Independence per essay, ranked in importance to the writers:
1) Cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world
2) Imposing Taxes on us without our Consent
3) Depriving us of the benefits of Trial by Jury
4) Suspending our Representative Legislatures and dictating legislation for us in all cases.
5) Waging War against us and keeping Standing Armies among us harassing our people.
6) Transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences.
7) Making Judges dependent on the will of King George III alone for the tenure of their offices and the amount and payment of their salaries.
8) Plundering our seas, ravaging our Coasts, burning our towns, and destroying the lives of our people.
Teachers should feel free to contact the committee if they would like a lawyer or a judge to assist students or the class in the discussion or development of this topic.