Eleanor Finch
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. It is observed on September 17, the day in 1787 that delegates to the Constitutional Convention signed the document in Philadelphia. Early Constitution Day celebrations were observed by some fraternal organizations, including the National Security League, which advocated for a national Constitution Day holiday. The day was inspired by Arthur Pine, the head of a public relations firm in New York City, who handled publicity for the bandleader Gray Gordon. The day is commemorated with educational programming in schools and federal agencies, naturalization ceremonies, and discussions and debates about the Constitution's amendments.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Recognition of the adoption of the United States Constitution | --- |
| Recognition of those who have become U.S. citizens | --- |
| Observed annually on September 17 | 1787 |
| The day the U.S. Constitution was signed | 1789 |
| The first national Thanksgiving Day was created by George Washington | November 26 |
| The U.S. Constitution has been amended 16 times since the Bill of Rights was adopted | December 15, 1791 |
| The U.S. Constitution is the oldest written national constitution still in operation | --- |
| Schools and government agencies observe Constitution Day | --- |
| Naturalization ceremonies are held | --- |
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What You'll Learn
- The U.S. Constitution is the oldest written national constitution still in operation
- The document was signed on September 17, 1787, in Philadelphia
- The Constitution is a testament to cooperative statesmanship and the art of politics
- The Bill of Rights was adopted on December 15, 1791, and the Constitution has since been amended 16 times
- Constitution Day traces back to 1940 when Congress passed a resolution for the recognition of American citizenship
The U.S. Constitution is the oldest written national constitution still in operation
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 United States Congress designated September 17 as Constitution Day and Citizenship Day in 1952 by joint resolution (36 U.S.C. 106).
Early Constitution Day celebrations were observed by some fraternal organisations, including the National Security League, which advocated for a national Constitution Day holiday. In 1911, Iowa schools first recognised 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. This day was inspired by Arthur Pine, a New York City public relations head. In 1934, an eighth-grade classroom celebrated Constitution Day by starting with a salute and the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag, followed by a class reading of the Constitution's Preamble.
In 1952, President Harry Truman signed a bill renaming the event "Citizenship Day", with the observed date moved to September 17—the same day still observed as Constitution Day in many states and local communities. In 1953, resident Olga T. Weber petitioned municipal officials to establish Constitution Day, in honour of the creation of the US Constitution in 1787. Mayor Gerald A. Romary proclaimed September 17, 1952, as Constitution Day in the city. The following year, President Dwight Eisenhower included Constitution Week—observed from September 17 to 23—in his annual proclamation.
Constitution Day is commemorated in schools and communities across the nation, with federal courts offering educational resources and experiences. Students engage in learning about the U.S. Constitution through various activities and discussions, such as analysing the Constitution's impact on their lives and participating in civil discourse and decision-making skills exercises. Naturalisation ceremonies are also held on Constitution Day, where new citizens take part in a real-life experience of civic engagement.
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The document was signed on September 17, 1787, in Philadelphia
The US Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, in Philadelphia, marking the culmination of months of strenuous debate over the structure and powers of a new federal government. The Constitutional Convention, which began in May 1787, brought together delegates from various states, including some of the greatest minds of the time, such as James Madison, James Wilson, Gouverneur Morris, and Alexander Hamilton, under the leadership of George Washington. The convention was convened to revise the Articles of Confederation, but it soon became clear that a new framework of government was needed.
The delegates debated and drafted the articles of the new Constitution throughout the summer, grappling with questions such as the balance of power between the central government and the states, the number of representatives in Congress for each state, and the method of their election. The final version of the Constitution was produced in early September, and on September 17, 39 out of 55 delegates signed the document, officially establishing the government of the United States.
The signing of the Constitution was a significant event in American history, as it created a new form of republican government that replaced the weak central government established by the Articles of Confederation. The Constitution provided a system of checks and balances among different branches and levels of government, ensuring basic individual liberties and adapting to the changing needs of society.
Constitution Day, also known as Citizenship Day, is observed on September 17 to commemorate the signing of the Constitution and recognize those who have become US citizens. The day was established in 1952 by President Harry Truman, who emphasized the importance of citizens reflecting on their rights and responsibilities under the Constitution. Constitution Day is marked by educational institutions and federal agencies providing programming on the history of the Constitution and America's founding principles.
The document's signing in Philadelphia on that September day in 1787 was the culmination of a summer of closed-door debates and redrafting. The Constitutional Convention, convened to revise the Articles of Confederation, instead created a new framework of government, establishing the enduring structure of the US government and its principles.
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The Constitution is a testament to cooperative statesmanship and the art of politics
Constitution Day, observed on September 17, commemorates the adoption of the United States Constitution and those who have become U.S. citizens. The day marks the signing of the U.S. Constitution in Philadelphia on September 17, 1787, by 39 of the 55 delegates to the Constitutional Convention.
The U.S. Constitution is indeed a testament to cooperative statesmanship and the art of politics. The document is the result of months of strenuous debate, discussion, and deliberation over the structure and powers of a new federal government. George Washington, in his proclamation creating the first national Thanksgiving Day in 1789, acknowledged the "peaceable and rational manner" in which the Constitution was established.
The Constitution has provided a framework for a free and democratic society, ensuring basic individual liberties and creating a system of checks and balances among different branches and levels of government. It has proven adaptable to the changing needs of society, with only 16 amendments since the Bill of Rights was adopted in 1791.
The process of establishing the Constitution involved not only the delegates to the Constitutional Convention but also state conventions, where the document was thoroughly discussed, debated, and eventually ratified. This collaborative effort, involving representatives from across the nation, reflects the cooperative spirit and political compromise that underpin the Constitution.
Constitution Day provides an opportunity for Americans to reflect on the principles and ideals enshrined in this foundational document. It is a day to honor the visionary work and courage of the founders, as well as the ongoing evolution of a nation striving to form a "more perfect union."
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The Bill of Rights was adopted on December 15, 1791, and the Constitution has since been amended 16 times
Constitution Day and Citizenship Day is an American federal observance that recognises the adoption of the United States Constitution and honours those who have become US citizens. It is usually celebrated on September 17, the day in 1787 when 39 out of 55 delegates to the Constitutional Convention signed the document in Philadelphia. The day marks the end of months of strenuous debate over the structure and powers of a new federal government.
The US Constitution has been amended 16 times since the Bill of Rights was adopted on December 15, 1791. The Bill of Rights is comprised of the first 10 amendments to the Constitution, which were ratified by three-fourths of the state legislatures. These amendments define citizens' rights in relation to the newly established government under the Constitution.
The Bill of Rights was proposed in response to concerns that the Constitution as drafted would allow the central government too much power. Several state conventions requested such amendments during their formal ratification of the Constitution, and others ratified the Constitution with the understanding that amendments would be offered. On September 25, 1789, the First Congress of the United States proposed 12 amendments to the Constitution, 10 of which were ratified and became the Bill of Rights.
The amendments in the Bill of Rights include protections for freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and the right to bear arms, as well as due process and trial by jury. They also provide for an intricate system of checks and balances among the various branches and levels of government, assuring the basic individual liberties essential to a free and democratic society.
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Constitution Day traces back to 1940 when Congress passed a resolution for the recognition of American citizenship
Constitution Day and Citizenship Day is an American federal observance that recognises the adoption of the United States Constitution and honours those who have become US citizens. It is usually celebrated on September 17, the day in 1787 when 39 of the 55 delegates to the Constitutional Convention signed the document in Philadelphia.
The history of Constitution Day celebrations goes back to the early 20th century, with efforts to establish a national holiday well underway by 1917. In 1919, a spokesperson for the National Security League, a fraternal organisation, advocated for a national Constitution Day holiday.
In 1940, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed a joint congressional resolution proclaiming the third Sunday of May as "I Am an American Day". The resolution was intended to honour those who had become US citizens through naturalisation, as well as those who had recently gained the right to vote upon reaching maturity. The day was celebrated nationwide with special ceremonies recognising newly naturalised citizens.
In 1952, President Harry Truman signed a bill renaming the event "Citizenship Day" and moving it to September 17, the anniversary of the signing of the Constitution. Truman emphasised the importance of the day for all citizens, regardless of their origin, to reflect on their rights and responsibilities under the Constitution. The following year, in 1953, the United States Senate passed a resolution designating September 17–23 as Constitution Week, which was signed into law by President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
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Frequently asked questions
Constitution Day is celebrated on 17 September because it is the day on which, in 1787, 39 of the 55 delegates to the Constitutional Convention signed the U.S. Constitution in Philadelphia.
Constitution Day recognises the adoption of the United States Constitution and those who have become U.S. citizens. It is a day to reflect on the rights and responsibilities of citizens under the Constitution.
Schools and government agencies join the nation in observing Constitution Day. Schools meet this requirement by joining with federal courts, which offer educational resources and experiences in their communities.
In 1952, resident Olga T. Weber petitioned municipal officials to establish Constitution Day, in honour of the creation of the US Constitution in 1787. Mayor Gerald A. Romary proclaimed 17 September 1952 as Constitution Day in the city.
