An address last night at Indiana University of Pennsylvania about interpretations of the U.S. Constitution was one of thousands of events held this week across the country during the nation's celebration of the 220th anniversary of the document that is a bedrock of democracy.

At the IUP address, Florida International University law professor Stanley Fish discussed the various schools of constitutional interpretation. The fact that Americans have the right to varying points of view about how the nation's principles should be applied shows how well the document has served freedom, he said before his talk.

"Other countries recognized immediately this was a new kind of document," Dr. Fish said. "It was not produced by a monarchy or theocracy. The idea of having individual human rights at its center was a relatively new thing at the time.

"It has become a model for the Canadian and Israeli constitutions and others. It should be celebrated."

And it has been this week, all across the country, as required under a federal law. Passed in November 2004, the law written by U.S. Sen. Robert Byrd, D-W.Va., requires every school, college, government agency or Head Start program that receives federal funds to acknowledge the anniversary of the Constitution's birth and take time to teach about one of the most important documents in American history.

At IUP, for example, a Constitutional Celebration was held Monday, the anniversary of when the Constitution was signed. The celebration included displays, a game of "Constitutional Jeopardy" and a live reading of various passages.

On Tuesday, a panel of two professors and a retired rear admiral discussed "Torture: Where's the Line?" On Saturday, IUP Crimson Hawks fans attending the team's football game will take a moment to reflect on the document.

Political science professor Gwendolyn Torges, who coordinated IUP's observance this year, noted that the federal law does not mandate exactly what schools should do to acknowledge the Constitution, but her research shows most universities, like IUP, "are trying to do pretty comprehensive series of events."

"I'm impressed with the amount of effort and funds that have gone into creating panels and events," said Dr. Torges, a constitutional law instructor.

Reaction to Constitution Week among students has been "mixed," she said, although "I have been heartened that at least a significant number of students who were honestly interested came to the activities."

She said that interest likely will grow as time goes by and future university students have gained a deeper understanding and appreciation of the document from participating in Constitution Week events during their days in elementary and high school.

The tradition of celebrating Constitution Week began when the Daughters of the American Revolution petitioned Congress in 1955 to set aside Sept. 17-23 annually for such an observance. Congress adopted the resolution and President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed it into law on Aug. 2, 1956.

The celebration never really caught on, however, in the way of the Fourth of July, a national holiday honoring the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Mr. Byrd decided that something needed to be done to recognize the Constitution's role after he saw a study showing college students knew much more about pop culture than about one of America's most significant documents.