It was first conceived and produced by Peter Paul as President of the California Bicentennial Foundation for the Constitution in 1987 to focus attention on the unique American success stories that personify the vitality of the rights and freedoms under the U.S. Constitution.
The award was first presented at the Governor's Constitution Ball, September 17, 1987, at the nation's only exact replica of Independence Hall, located in Buena Park, California. The first recipients included: Apollo XI Astronaut Buzz Aldrin, Olympian Rafer Johnson, Althea Irvine Clark, George Argyros. Paul produced four Spirit of America awards Balls and Galas and numerous special events presenting awards to celebrated Americans and icons including Bob Hope, Jimmy Stewart, Muhammad Ali, Jaime Escalante, Richard O. Anderson, Helen Hayes, Boris Yeltsin, Lech Walesa, Gene Autry and Lew Wasserman.
After the conclusion of the three year Bicentennial of the Consitution and Bill of Rights, the award was adopted by the American Spirit Foundation and was awarded through 1993 at special events produced by Peter Paul.
