Eighth Annual Naturalization Ceremony

On Friday morning, September 16, 2005, 114 people from 41 countries became the newest United States citizens. Among the candidates were several active members of the military, including two former Iraqi citizens. This was the eighth annual naturalization ceremony at Charles Pinckney National Historic Site.
Charles Pinckney was a principal framer of the United States Constitution. He was one of four delegates to the Constitutional Convention from South Carolina. He spoke well and often, and submitted the only complete plan for a new government that was written by a single man. The "Pinckney Draught" included the provision for naturalization of citizens. Pinckney’s signature is among those of the other delegates who signed the Constitution on September 17, 1787.