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| By G. Michael Dobbs Managing Editor SPRINGFIELD On Jan. 27, 1787, nearly 2,000 western Massachusetts residents, led by Pelham's Daniel Shay, attempted to attack the arsenal at Springfield as part of their protest of the state's taxes. Although they were unsuccessful, the effort known as "Shay's Rebellion" proved to be the catalyst for the framing of the Constitution, which was signed on Sept. 17, 1787. This often over-looked part of American history will now receive the attention it deserves. At a press conference at Springfield technical Community College (STCC) conducted on Wednesday, Congressman Richard Neal announced the college is a recipient of a $240,990 grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities(NEH) to underwrite a web site on Shay's Rebellion. STCC was one of 32 projects funded out of 155 applications. It was the only community college to receive a NEH grant in this funding in the Public Programs category. Neal said Shay's Rebellion "provides opportunities for 21st century Americans to better understand the Constitution." Lynne Spichiger is the project manager for the web site, which will be titled "Shay's Rebellion and the making of a Nation: From Revolution to Constitution." She said the site would be the work of eight scholars who will use the stories of a diverse group of real people to present what the fledgling nation was like at the time and why the rebellion came about. She said the site should be on-line on Aug. 1, 2008. Along with the web site, STCC is planning to partner with community colleges around the country to sponsor "Shay's Days" public programs. STCC President Ira Rubenzahl also announced the college would conduct a two-day symposium on the 220th anniversary of the rebellion on January 27 and 28, 2007. |