Jonah Patel
Constitution Week is an American observance that begins on Constitution Day and Citizenship Day, which falls on September 17, commemorating the signing of the U.S. Constitution in Philadelphia on September 17, 1787. While the modern Constitution Day came into being in 2004, Constitution Week was established by Congress in 1956 to encourage Americans to learn more about the Constitution.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date Observed | 17 September |
| Year Designated as a Holiday | 1952 |
| Date Modified | 2004 |
| Previous Names | I Am an American Day, Citizenship Day |
| Date Previously Observed | Third Sunday in May |
| Founding Figures | Calvin Coolidge, John D. Rockefeller, General John Pershing |
| Inspiration | Arthur Pine |
| First Observance in Schools | Iowa, 1911 |
| First Major Celebration | 1956 |
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What You'll Learn
Constitution Day and Citizenship Day
The day was first designated by the United States Congress on February 29, 1952, by joint resolution (36 U.S.C. 106). It begins Constitution Week in the United States, which continues through September 23. Before 1952, the holiday was known as "I Am an American Day" and was celebrated on the third Sunday in May. The name change in 1952 was an effort to encourage Americans to learn more about the Constitution.
The law establishing the present holiday was modified in 2004 with the passage of an amendment by Senator Robert Byrd to the omnibus spending bill of 2004. This amendment combined Constitution Day and Citizenship Day into a single event and mandated that all publicly funded educational institutions and federal agencies provide educational programming on the history of the American Constitution on that day. The modern Constitution Day came into being in 2004 and went into effect in 2005.
Constitution Day activities have been widely adopted at a grassroots level, with schools and other institutions observing the day with educational programs, readings of the Constitution's Preamble, and discussions of its Amendments. Since the 1970s, the main event for Constitution Day at the National Archives has been a naturalisation ceremony in the Rotunda, where new citizens take the oath of allegiance in front of the original Constitution.
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Constitution Day history
Constitution Day and Citizenship Day is an American federal observance that recognises the adoption of the United States Constitution and those who have become US citizens. It is observed annually on September 17, the day in 1787 that delegates to the Constitutional Convention signed the document in Philadelphia.
The history of Constitution Day can be traced back to the early 20th century, with the efforts of organisations such as the National Security League, which advocated for a national Constitution Day holiday. In 1911, schools in Iowa first recognised Constitution Day, and in 1917, the Sons of the American Revolution formed a committee to promote the day, which included notable members such as Calvin Coolidge, John D. Rockefeller, and General John Pershing. The committee was inspired by Arthur Pine, a New York City public relations firm head, who handled publicity for the song "I Am an American" and arranged for an I Am an American Day at the 1939 New York World's Fair.
In 1940, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed a joint congressional resolution proclaiming I Am an American Day as a holiday. However, it was not until February 29, 1952, that the United States Congress officially designated September 17 as Constitution Day and Citizenship Day by joint resolution (36 U.S.C. 106). The holiday was initially known as I Am an American Day and Citizenship Day, celebrated on the third Sunday in May. The designation of September 17 as Constitution Day was chosen to commemorate the anniversary of the signing of the Constitution on that date in 1787.
In 2004, Senator Robert Byrd of West Virginia sponsored legislation to modify the law establishing the holiday, mandating that all publicly funded educational institutions and federal agencies provide educational programming on the history of the American Constitution on Constitution Day. This amendment also established that Constitution Day and Citizenship Day could be held on a different date if September 17 falls on a weekend or another holiday. The updated law went into effect in 2005, and Constitution Day is now marked by educational programs, family activities, and initiatives to promote civic literacy and engagement.
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Early Constitution Day celebrations
Constitution Day and Citizenship Day is an American federal observance that recognises the adoption of the United States Constitution and those who have become US citizens. It is usually observed on September 17, the day in 1787 that delegates to the Constitutional Convention signed the document in Philadelphia.
The early Constitution Day celebrations were observed by some fraternal organisations, including the National Security League, which advocated for a national Constitution Day holiday. Iowa schools first recognised Constitution Day in 1911. In 1917, the Sons of the American Revolution formed a committee to promote Constitution Day. The committee included members such as Calvin Coolidge, John D. Rockefeller, and General John Pershing.
In 1934, an eighth-grade classroom in Maine started its Constitution Day observance with a salute and the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag, followed by a class reading of the Constitution's preamble. Students then discussed and debated the 19th, 20th, and 21st Amendments to the Constitution. In the late 1930s, a separate effort led to what later became Citizenship Day. 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 celebration.
In 1952, the United States Congress designated September 17 as Constitution Day and Citizenship Day by joint resolution (36 U.S.C. 106). It begins Constitution Week in the United States, which continues through September 23. Before this law was enacted, the holiday was known as "I Am an American Day" and Citizenship Day and was celebrated on the third Sunday in May.
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Constitution Week in 2005
The first major celebration of Constitution Week at the National Archives was in 1956, when the agency brought in the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment ("The Old Guard") to watch over the Constitution during the week-long celebration. The National Archives acquired the original Constitution from the Library of Congress in December 1952, the same year that Congress designated September 17 as Constitution Day and Citizenship Day.
Constitution Day and Citizenship Day is an American federal observance that recognizes the adoption of the United States Constitution and those who have become U.S. citizens. The day is typically observed on September 17, the day in 1787 that delegates to the Constitutional Convention signed the document in Philadelphia. However, when September 17 falls on a weekend or holiday, schools and institutions observe it on an adjacent weekday.
The modern Constitution Day came into being in 2004 when Senator Robert Byrd sponsored legislation designating September 17 as Constitution Day. It went into effect in 2005, with President George W. Bush issuing a proclamation on Constitution and Citizenship Day, and Constitution Week on September 16, 2005. The law mandates that all publicly funded educational institutions and federal agencies provide educational programming on the history of the American Constitution on that day.
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Constitution Week activities
Constitution Day and Citizenship Day is an American federal observance that recognises the adoption of the United States Constitution and those who have become US citizens. It is usually observed on September 17, the day in 1787 that delegates to the Constitutional Convention signed the document in Philadelphia. Constitution Day marks the beginning of Constitution Week, which runs through September 23.
Classroom Activities
- Students can learn about the US Constitution with iCivics' games, such as "Do I Have a Right?" where they can try running a Constitutional law firm, and "Executive Command", which lets them experience running the Oval Office.
- Teachers can incorporate the C3 framework standards to connect social studies to students' daily lives.
- Students can take a quiz to test their knowledge of the delegates at the Constitutional Convention.
- Students can unscramble the puzzle to learn the phrases of the preamble.
- Students can debate and discuss various amendments to the Constitution.
Public Activities
- The public can access videos, webinars, and workshops on the Civics for All of US website.
- People can virtually "sign" the Constitution on the National Archives website.
- The National Constitution Center offers virtual and in-person programming, including a special virtual tour of the iconic Signers' Hall exhibit.
- The public can access the National Constitution Center's Interactive Constitution, which provides non-partisan analysis from top constitutional scholars.
- People can visit the National Archives Building in Washington, DC, to view the mural of George Washington receiving the draft of the Constitution from James Madison.
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Frequently asked questions
Constitution Day is celebrated on September 17.
Constitution Day was first designated a national holiday by the United States Congress on February 29, 1952.
Constitution Week was first celebrated in 1956, beginning on September 17, also known as Constitution Day and Citizenship Day.
No. Before 1952, Constitution Day was known as "I Am an American Day" and was celebrated on the third Sunday in May.
