Malcolm Rivera
Constitution Day, celebrated on September 17, commemorates the signing of the U.S. Constitution in 1787. The holiday was originally called I Am an American Day, established in 1940 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to honor those who had attained citizenship. The holiday was renamed Constitution Day and Citizenship Day in 2004, following a campaign by retired medical technologist Louise Leigh, who aimed to address the lack of constitutional literacy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 17th of September |
| Year started | 1911 (first recognised by Iowa schools) |
| Year made official | 2004 |
| Founder | Louise Leigh |
| Original name | "I Am an American Day" |
| Other names | Citizenship Day, Constitution and Citizenship Day |
| Purpose | To celebrate the signing of the U.S. Constitution and those who have become U.S. citizens |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- Constitution Day is celebrated on September 17
- The day commemorates the signing of the U.S. Constitution in 1787
- The holiday was originally called I Am an American Day
- Constitution Day activities were adopted at a grassroots level
- The holiday celebrates the connection between the Constitution and citizenship
Constitution Day is celebrated on September 17
Constitution Day is celebrated annually on September 17. The day commemorates the signing of the U.S. Constitution on September 17, 1787, in Philadelphia. Over the course of four months, 55 delegates from 12 of the original 13 states (Rhode Island did not send any delegates) debated, strategized, and compromised to create the U.S. Constitution, establishing the basic structures and powers of the national government.
Constitution Day celebrations were first observed by some fraternal organizations, including the National Security League, which advocated for a national Constitution Day holiday. In 1911, Iowa schools first recognized Constitution Day. In 1917, the Sons of the American Revolution formed a committee to promote Constitution Day, which included members such as Calvin Coolidge, John D. Rockefeller, and General John Pershing. In 1919, the National Security League urged school authorities in over 40 states to hold "suitable exercises" in classrooms on September 17 each year.
In 1940, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed a joint congressional resolution proclaiming "I Am an American Day," which was originally observed as the third Sunday in May. This day was promoted by publisher William Randolph Hearst after his newspapers covered several local observances. "I Am an American Day" celebrated those who had attained citizenship through naturalization.
In 1952, President Harry Truman signed Citizenship Day into law, and in 1955, President Dwight Eisenhower proclaimed the first Constitution Week, observed from September 17 to 23. On February 29, 1952, the United States Congress designated September 17 as Constitution Day and Citizenship Day by joint resolution (36 U.S.C. 106).
Constitution Day and Citizenship Day gained further traction in 1997 when Louise Leigh, a retired medical technologist in California, started a grassroots campaign for Congress to recognize Constitution Day as a national holiday. Leigh was concerned about the general lack of constitutional literacy. Senator Robert Byrd of West Virginia added an amendment to the omnibus spending bill of 2004, which established the present holiday. Constitution Day and Citizenship Day are now observed on September 17, unless it falls on a weekend, in which case it is held on an adjacent weekday. The law mandates that educational institutions receiving federal funds hold educational programs on the U.S. Constitution on this day.
Federal System's Philosophical Roots: Framers' Visionary Influence
You may want to see also
The day commemorates the signing of the U.S. Constitution in 1787
Constitution Day, also known as Citizenship Day, is an American federal observance that commemorates the signing of the U.S. Constitution in 1787. The day is observed annually on September 17, the date on which the delegates to the Constitutional Convention signed the document in Philadelphia in 1787.
The creation of the U.S. Constitution was a significant moment in the country's history. During the summer of 1787, 55 delegates from 12 of the original 13 states (Rhode Island did not send any delegates) gathered in Philadelphia to draft and debate the Constitution. They discussed important issues such as the relationship between the central government and the states, the relationship between the states themselves, and the rights of citizens in the new government. The process took four months, and the final document established the basic structure and powers of the national government.
The Constitution replaced the Articles of Confederation, which was the first governing document of the newly formed United States. However, it became clear that a completely new form of government was needed, rather than just revising the existing structure. The new Constitution addressed concerns and included a Bill of Rights to protect individual liberties.
The first presidential election under the new Constitution was held in February 1789, and George Washington was inaugurated as the first President in April of that year. One of the new Congress's first acts was to introduce the Bill of Rights, which was ratified by the states in 1791.
The observance of Constitution Day as a holiday has evolved over time. Early celebrations were initiated by organizations like the National Security League, and it gained traction at a grassroots level. In 1911, Iowa schools first recognized Constitution Day, and the movement spread to other states. In 1952, President Harry Truman signed Constitution Day into law, and President Dwight Eisenhower proclaimed the first Constitution Week in 1955. The holiday was originally known as "I Am an American Day" and was celebrated on the third Sunday in May. However, in 2004, Senator Robert Byrd successfully pushed for legislation to officially designate September 17 as Constitution Day. This amendment mandates educational institutions and federal agencies to hold programs about the Constitution on this day.
Madison's Age When Drafting the Constitution
You may want to see also
The holiday was originally called I Am an American Day
The holiday now known as Constitution Day and Citizenship Day was originally called "I Am an American Day" and was celebrated on the third Sunday in May. The day was meant to honour those who had become citizens of the United States.
The name and date of the holiday were changed in 2004 when former Senator Robert Byrd of West Virginia pushed for legislation to officially designate September 17 as Constitution Day. This date commemorates the signing of the United States Constitution on September 17, 1787, in Philadelphia.
The modern celebration of Constitution Day can be traced back to efforts in the early 20th century to establish a national holiday honouring the Constitution. The National Security League, a controversial World War I-era nationalist group, advocated for a national Constitution Day holiday and promoted the Alien and Sedition Acts supported by the Wilson administration. In 1919, a spokesperson for the League told the Allentown Morning Call that the goal of the holiday was "to strengthen the faith of the people of America in the constitution of the United States by means of a popular exposition of its essential doctrines."
In the late 1930s, publisher William Randolph Hearst promoted the idea of a new holiday called "I Am an American Day" after his newspapers covered several local observances. In 1940, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed a joint congressional resolution proclaiming the new holiday, which was celebrated on the third Sunday in May.
Today, Constitution Day is a federal observance that recognizes the adoption of the United States Constitution and those who have become U.S. citizens. It is celebrated annually on September 17, with special naturalization ceremonies held across the country. Constitution Day is also used as an opportunity to educate people about the naturalization process and the benefits of citizenship.
Lifetime Appointments: Supreme Court Justices and the Constitution
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Constitution Day activities were adopted at a grassroots level
Constitution Day, also known as Citizenship Day, is an American federal observance that recognizes the adoption of the United States Constitution and those who have become U.S. citizens. It is observed annually on September 17, commemorating the signing of the U.S. Constitution on September 17, 1787.
While early Constitution Day celebrations were led by fraternal organizations like the National Security League, the holiday's activities gradually spread and were adopted at a grassroots level. This shift occurred as the National Security League's influence diminished over time.
A notable example of grassroots adoption is seen through the efforts of Louise Leigh, a retired medical technologist in California. In 1997, Leigh initiated a grassroots campaign advocating for Congress to recognize Constitution Day as a distinct national holiday. Driven by concerns about the lack of constitutional literacy, she promoted the importance of educating school children, overseas military personnel, and governors about the Constitution. Leigh's vision included having these groups recite the Preamble to the Constitution simultaneously across the nation on September 17.
Constitution Day observances varied, but a common example from an 8th-grade classroom in 1934 was reported in the Biddeford Daily Journal in Maine. The day began with a salute and the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag, followed by a class reading of the Constitution's Preamble. Subsequently, students engaged in discussions and debates about the 19th, 20th, and 21st Amendments to the Constitution.
In addition to grassroots efforts, the adoption of Constitution Day activities was influenced by legislative actions. In 1952, President Harry Truman signed a bill renaming the holiday "Citizenship Day" and moving the observed date to September 17. This date aligned with Constitution Day, which was already observed in multiple states and local communities. The recognition of Constitution Day as a significant holiday in the United States has evolved through a combination of grassroots initiatives and official legislative actions.
Impeachment Inquiry: Does the Constitution Require a Vote?
You may want to see also
The holiday celebrates the connection between the Constitution and citizenship
Constitution Day and Citizenship Day is an American federal observance that celebrates the adoption of the United States Constitution and recognizes those who have become U.S. citizens. The holiday is usually observed on September 17, the day in 1787 when delegates to the Constitutional Convention signed the document in Philadelphia. The United States Congress designated September 17 as Constitution Day and Citizenship Day in 1952, by joint resolution (36 U.S.C. 106).
The history of Constitution Day can be traced back to early celebrations by fraternal organizations like the National Security League, which advocated for a national Constitution Day holiday. In 1911, Iowa schools first recognized Constitution Day. In 1917, a committee formed by the Sons of the American Revolution, including members such as Calvin Coolidge and John D. Rockefeller, promoted Constitution Day. In 1919, the National Security League spokesperson stated that the aim of the constitutional campaign and celebration was to "strengthen the faith of the people of America in the constitution of the United States by means of a popular exposition of its essential doctrines."
In 1940, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed a joint congressional resolution proclaiming "I Am an American Day," inspired by publisher William Randolph Hearst, which later became Citizenship Day. In 1952, President Harry Truman signed Citizenship Day into law, and in 1955, President Dwight Eisenhower proclaimed the first Constitution Week. In 1997, Louise Leigh started a grassroots campaign to have Congress recognize Constitution Day as a national holiday, citing concerns about a lack of constitutional literacy. In 2004, Senator Robert Byrd of West Virginia successfully pushed for legislation designating September 17 as Constitution Day and mandating educational programs about the Constitution in schools and federal agencies.
Understanding the Senate's Citizenship Requirement: A Quick Guide
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Constitution Day celebrates the signing of the US Constitution on September 17, 1787.
Constitution Day was first recognized by Iowa schools in 1911. However, it only became a national holiday in 2004 when former Sen. Robert Byrd pushed for legislation officially designating September 17 as Constitution Day.
Before the law establishing the present holiday was modified in 2004, Constitution Day and Citizenship Day were celebrated on the third Sunday in May and were known as "I Am an American Day".
Constitution Day recognizes the adoption of the US Constitution and celebrates those who have become US citizens.
Constitution Day is celebrated with special naturalization ceremonies across the country, educational programs about the Constitution, and by reflecting on what it means to be a US citizen.
