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In September 1787, the Founders signed the most influential document in American history, the U.S. Constitution. On Constitution Day, the National Constitution Center presents a series of programs and events highlighting the history and meaning of the amendment.

What Is Constitution Day?

Constitution Day and Citizenship Day commemorate the Constitution's signing and recognize all who, by coming of age or by naturalization, have become citizens. By law, "the civil and educational authorities of States, counties, cities, and towns are urged to make plans for the proper observance of Constitution Day and Citizenship Day and for the complete instruction of citizens in their responsibilities and opportunities as citizens of the United States and of the State and locality in which they reside."

When Is Constitution Day Observed?

September 17 is designated as Constitution Day and Citizenship Day. If Constitution Day falls on a weekend, it may be held in the previous or next week. The Center offers extensive virtual and in-person programming supported by educational materials for learners of all ages!

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Quiz yourself and test how much you know about the delegates at the Constitutional Convention.

Our DIY Preamble Scramble puzzles are great for younger learners! 

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What Is Constitution Day in the United States?

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Constitution Day – also called Citizenship Day is a U.S. federal government observance that honors the creation and adoption of the United States Constitution and all persons who have become U.S. citizens, through birth or naturalization . It is usually observed on September 17, the day in 1787 that the Constitution was signed by the delegates to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania’s Independence Hall. When Constitution Day falls on a weekend or on another holiday, schools and other institutions typically observe the holiday on an adjacent weekday.

On September 17, 1787, forty-two of the 55 delegates to the Constitutional Convention held their final meeting. After four long, hot months of debates and compromises , like The Great Compromise of 1787 , only one item of business occupied the agenda that day, to sign the Constitution of the United States of America.

Since May 25, 1787, the 55 delegates had gathered almost daily in the State House (Independence Hall) in Philadelphia to revise the Articles of Confederation as ratified in 1781.

By the middle of June, it became apparent to the delegates that to merely amend the Articles of Confederation would not be sufficient. Instead, they would write an entirely new document designed to clearly define and separate the powers of the central government, the powers of the states , the rights of the people and how the representatives of the people should be elected.

After being signed in September of 1787, Congress sent printed copies of the Constitution to the state legislatures for ratification. In the months that followed, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay would write the Federalist Papers in support, while Patrick Henry, Elbridge Gerry, and George Mason would organize the opposition to the new Constitution. By June 21, 1788, nine states had approved the Constitution, finally forming "a more perfect Union."

No matter how much we argue about the details of its meaning today, in the opinion of many, the Constitution signed in Philadelphia on September 17, 1787, represents the greatest expression of statesmanship and compromise ever written. In just four hand-written pages, the Constitution gives us no less than the owners' manual to the greatest form of government the world has ever known.

The Convoluted History of Constitution Day

Public schools in Iowa are credited with first observing a Constitution Day in 1911. The Sons of the American Revolution organization liked the idea and promoted it through a committee that included such notable members as Calvin Coolidge, John D. Rockefeller, and World War I hero General John J. Pershing.

The Constitution Town—Louisville, Ohio

Proudly calling itself “Constitution Town,” Louisville, Ohio credits one of its residents for getting Constitution Day recognized as a national holiday. In 1952, Louisville resident Olga T. Weber submitted a petition asking city officials to establish Constitution Day to honor the creation of the Constitution. In response, Mayor Gerald A. Romary proclaimed that September 17 would be observed as Constitution Day in Louisville. In April 1953, Weber successfully petitioned the Ohio General Assembly to have Constitution Day observed statewide. 

In August 1953, U.S. Rep. Frank T. Bow, crediting Ms. Weber and Mayor Romary for their efforts, asked the U.S. Congress to make Constitution Day a national holiday. Congress passed a joint resolution designating September 17-23 as Constitution Week nationwide, with President Dwight D. Eisenhower signing it into law. On April 15, 1957, the Louisville city council officially declared the city, Constitution Town. Today, four historical markers donated by the Ohio State Archaeological and Historical Society detailing Louisville's role as the originator of Constitution Day stand at the main entrances to the city.

Congress recognized the day as “Citizenship Day” until 2004, when an amendment by West Virginia Senator Robert Byrd to the Omnibus spending bill of 2004, renamed the holiday “Constitution Day and Citizenship Day.” Sen. Byrd’s amendment also required all government-funded schools and federal agencies, provide educational programming on the United States Constitution on the day.

In May 2005, the United States Department of Education announced the enactment of this law and made it clear that it would apply to any school, public or private, receiving federal funds of any kind.

Where Did ‘Citizenship Day’ Come From?

The alternate name for Constitution Day – “Citizenship Day” – comes from the old “I am an American Day.”

“I am an American Day” was inspired by Arthur Pine, the head of a publicity-public relations firm in New York City bearing his name. Reportedly, Pine got the idea for the day from a song titled “I am an American” featured in the New York World’s Fair in 1939. Pine arranged for the song to be performed on the NBC, Mutual, and ABC national TV and radio networks. The promotion so impressed President Franklin D. Roosevelt , declared “I am an American Day” an official day of observance.

In 1940, Congress designated each third Sunday in May as “I am an American Day.” Observance of the day was widely promoted in 1944 – the last full year of World War II -- through a 16-minute Warner Brothers’ film short titled “ I Am an American ,” shown in theaters across America.

However, by 1949, all of the then 48 states had issued Constitution Day proclamations, and on February 29, 1952, Congress moved the “I am an American Day” observation to September 17 and renamed it “Citizenship Day.” 

Constitution Day Presidential Proclamation

Traditionally, the President of the United States issues an official proclamation in observance of Constitution Day, Citizenship Day, and Constitution Week. The most recent Constitution Day proclamation was issued by President Barack Obama on September 16, 2016.

In his 2016 Constitution Day Proclamation , President Obama stated, “As a Nation of immigrants, our legacy is rooted in their success. Their contributions help us live up to our founding principles. With pride in our diverse heritage and in our common creed, we affirm our dedication to the values enshrined in our Constitution. We, the people, must forever breathe life into the words of this precious document, and together ensure that its principles endure for generations to come.” 

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A Proclamation on Constitution Day and Citizenship Day, and Constitution Week,   2021

For 234 years, America’s Constitution has guided our growth, shaped our progress, and defined us as a Nation of sacred laws and fundamental values.  When our democracy is tested, we draw strength from the Constitution to see us through.  When we look ahead in our uniquely American way — restless, bold, and optimistic — our Constitution is the bedrock we build upon to make our Nation more equal, more just, and more prosperous for all our people.

American democracy requires our constant care, vigilance, and full participation to determine the course and conscience of our Union.  As President, I swore an oath to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution, and I will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that we uphold and strengthen this remarkable system of self-government for future generations ready to put their own shoulders to the wheel.  

The Framers of the Constitution understood the extraordinary promise of a democratic system of government — a Nation that could be made a “more perfect Union” by each passing generation to come.  They laid out a set of basic principles and equipped the American people with all that was necessary to meet the changing needs and values of our country through the years.

For more than two centuries, women and men have struggled and strived to make good on the promise of our founding document and to expand the promise of America by amending our Constitution in accordance with our growth and progress as a Nation — just as the Framers envisioned they would.  Through Civil War, the fight for universal suffrage, and the heroic non-violent resistance of the Civil Rights Movement — from Seneca Falls to Selma and countless acts of civic bravery beyond — courageous Americans have fought, sacrificed, and changed hearts and minds to deliver the full breadth of human dignity to which our Constitution aspires.  Fully realizing these ideals and attaining justice for all remains an urgent and enduring imperative.

Today, we are in the midst of grave attempts to suppress and subvert the right to vote in free and fair elections — the most sacred right in our democracy and the very heart of our Constitution.  We must continue to rebuff these threats to ensure that American democracy remains healthy and strong.  My Administration is pursuing an all-of-government effort to protect and expand the fundamental right to vote and make our democracy more equitable and accessible for all Americans.  

I have often said that America is the only Nation founded on an idea.  Though we have never fully lived up to it, we have never walked away from it.  We have never stopped striving to fulfill the founding promise of our Nation — that all of us are created equal and deserve to be treated equally throughout our lives.  My Administration is committed to bringing us closer to the fulfillment of that promise.

To honor the timeless principles enshrined in our Constitution, the Congress has, by joint resolution of February 29, 1952 (36 U.S.C. 106), designated September 17 as “Constitution Day and Citizenship Day” and authorized the President to issue a proclamation calling on United States officials to display the flag of the United States on all Government buildings on that day.  By joint resolution of August 2, 1956 (36 U.S.C. 108), the Congress further requested that the President proclaim the week beginning September 17 and ending September 23 of each year as “Constitution Week.” 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim September 17, 2021, as Constitution Day and Citizenship Day, and September 17, 2021, through September 23, 2021, as Constitution Week.  On this day and during this week, we celebrate our Constitution and the rights of citizenship that together we enjoy as the people of this proud Nation. 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this sixteenth day of September, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-one, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-sixth.

                                JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

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The History of Constitution Day

Citizens of the United States have celebrated Independence Day and Presidents' Day since the 1870s, and in 2005, the nation began to celebrate Constitution Day . Also know as Citizenship Day, Constitution Day is an American holiday honoring the day 39 delegates to the Constitutional Convention signed the United States Constitution. This historic date was September 17, 1787.

"I Am an American Day"

In 1939, the New York City news tycoon William Randolph Hearst suggested the creation of a holiday to celebrate American citizenship. Not only did Hearst have a wide readership of his many daily newspapers, but he had significant political connections, and in 1940, Congress designated the third Sunday in May as "I am an American Day." President Harry Truman present the resolution, setting aside this date in honor of the American people, especially those who had recently become citizens of the United States.

The holiday quickly gained support and popularity through the efforts of the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service. Additionally, in 1944, Hearst sponsored a 16 minute film titled I Am an American, which was featured in American theaters, and subsequently became a top news story. It was an immediate hit. Within 5 years, the governors of the existing forty-eight states had issued state proclamations in agreement with the national holiday.

One of the most significant individuals in the development of the holiday was a Louisville, Ohio resident named Olga T. Weber . In 1952, she petitioned the leaders of the municipality to change the date of the holiday to correspond with the anniversary of the signing of the United States Constitution. Once they agreed to it, she didn't stop there, and took her requests to the State, who also approved. In 1953, Olga went to United States Congress, and both the Senate and the House of Representatives approved her requests. The original resolution was overturned and a new law took its place. After Dwight D. Eisenhower signed it, the "I am an American Day" observation became "Citizenship Day" and moved to September 17.

Louisville, Ohio was the first city in the United States to celebrate Citizenship Day on September 17, 1952.

Louise Leigh and Constitution Day

Another important figure in the creation of Constitution Day is Louise Leigh. Leigh, after taking a course in Constitutional History with the National Center for Constitutional Studies, was inspired to spread her newfound love of the Constitution throughout the country. In 1997, she founded a nonprofit organization called Constitution Day, Inc. to help encourage recognition of the importance of this national holiday.

Through her efforts, Constitution Day became an official holiday alongside Citizenship Day in 2004 when, with the help of support from Senator Robert Byrd, the "Constitution Day" amendment to the Omnibus Spending Bill passed. In May 2005, the United States Department of Education backed the law when it announced that it would apply to any school receiving federal funds of any kind.

The two allowances of the law were that the head of every federal agency provide each employee with educational materials concerning the Constitution on 17th of September and that each educational institution which receives Federal funds should hold a program for students every Constitution Day.

Constitution Day, along with Independence Day and Presidents' Day, is an important part of the cultural heritage of the United States of America, because it recognizes the value of the American experiment, and the success of a nation of free people whose rights and liberties are protected by a written Constitution.

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National Archives News

Celebrating Constitution Day

George Washington is about to receive the draft of the Constitution from James Madison in this mural by Barry Faulkner in the National Archives Building in Washington, DC

September 17 is designated as Constitution Day and Citizenship Day to commemorate the signing of the U.S. Constitution in Philadelphia on September 17, 1787. Learn more about the U.S. Constitution through our public programs, family activities, and online resources.

Civic Education

Civics for All of US , a national civic education initiative from the National Archives, promotes civic literacy and engagement. Our interactive distance learning programs for teachers and students deliver thought-provoking educational programs and powerful educational resources to the public, regardless of their proximity to a National Archives facility. Each program is led by one of our National Archives educators located nationwide and draws upon our vast holdings to promote the knowledge, skills, and dispositions students need for civic engagement in the 21st century.

Brush up on your civics through easy-to-understand videos from the National Archives!

Find webinars and workshops on the Civics for All of US website .

Sign the Constitution!

Add your name and become a signer of one of America's Founding Documents!  Virtually "sign" the Constitution on our website.

Teaching and Learning Resources

DocsTeach   Access primary sources and online teaching activities related to the U.S. Constitution and how it forms the basis for our Government's actions on DocsTeach, the online tool for teaching with documents from the National Archives.

K–12 Distance Learning Programs  for students

Professional Development  for educators via webinar

Exploring the United States Constitution  - Find the special Constitution eBook and other resources, available for download with iBooks and on iTunesU, or as a PDF.

Congress Creates the Bill of Rights  eBook, mobile app, and online resources

Putting the Bill of Rights to the Test  primary source-based eWorkbook

Online resources for teaching about the Constitution

Pieces from the publication Social Education  (written by NARA staff as a part of our partnership with the National Council for the Social Studies) 

• General Constitution: “Teaching the Constitution…Virtually” (September 2019)
• First Amendment:  “Upholding Student Rights in the 20th Century: An Examination of Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District” (March/April 2018)
• Fifth Amendment: “Pleading the Fifth: Lillian Hellman and the HUAC Investigation of Hollywood” (November/December 2016) 
• https://www.socialstudies.org/social-education/80/6/pleading-fifth-lillian-hellman-and-huac-investigation-hollywood
• Eighth Amendment:  “Locked Up: Exploring Prisoner Rights and the Eighth Amendment” (March/April 2016) 
• 19th Amendment: “Forging a Path to the 19th Amendment: Understanding Women’s Suffrage” (October 2019) 

Constitution Day Resources for Federal Employees

Civic Renewal Network

Video Resources

View videos on the  Civics for All of US  playlist .

The U.S. Constitution at the National Archives Go inside the vaults to see rarely displayed documents relating to the formation of the Constitution, including George Washington’s printed copy with his annotations, the final printed text, and Pennsylvania’s ratified copy.

"Amending America" Exhibit Take a virtual tour of our "Amending America" exhibit, which highlights the remarkably American story of how we have amended, or attempted to amend, the Constitution in order to form a nation that more closely mirrors our ideals.

U.S. Constitution — The "Fifth Page" (Transmittal Page) The so-called "Fifth Page" of the U.S. Constitution is rarely displayed. Learn about this lesser known page of the Constitution and how National Archives conservators care for it and our other precious documents.

The U.S. Constitution Comes to the National Archives The United States Constitution is in the Rotunda of the National Archives today, but it took many years for the documents to arrive. Find out where it was stored and how it finally came to to rest in its present home.

Past public programs on YouTube

The Nature of Constitutional Rights (9/17/19)

For Us, By Us: Trust in, and Expectations of, the Constitution (9/17/18)

The New American Constitution (9/14/17)

The Future of Policy Making (9/15/16)

Is the Constitution Still Working for America (9/17/14)

Articles and Blogs

Prologue articles.

"Amending America" Prologue Magazine, Winter 2015

"Errors in the Constitution—Typographical and Congressional" Prologue Magazine , Fall 2012

"A New Era Begins for the Charters of Freedom" Prologue Magazine , Fall 2003

"Travels of the Charters of Freedom" Prologue Magazine , Winter 2002

Archivist of the United States blog: Naturalization Ceremony

Education Updates:  We Rule: Civics for All of US, A New Civic Education Initiative from the National Archives

Pieces of History posts about the Constitution and Constitution Day

Pieces of History:  Constitution Day 1985 and Ross Perot’s Magna Carta

Pieces of History:  A Constitution Day Reminder

Reagan Library Education Blog: Constitutional Amendments Series

Text Message:  Guiding Document—Records Related to the Constitution in the National Register of Historic Places

Text Message:  Elbridge Gerry and the Constitution, 1787–1788

National Archives News:  National Archives Welcomes New Citizens  (2017)

National Archives News:  New Citizens Sworn In on Constitution Day  (2018)

National Archives News:  National Archives Welcomes New Citizens (2019)

Additional Resources

Constitution of the United States. Drafted in secret by delegates to the Constitutional Convention during the summer of 1787, this four-page document, signed on September 17, 1787, established the government of the United States.

Constitution Q&A. Questions & Answers Pertaining to the Constitution, excerpted from The Story of the Constitution, by Sol Bloom

Constitution of the United States: A History. Based on the Introduction to A More Perfect Union: The Creation of the U.S. Constitution, by Roger A. Bruns

Download high-resolution images of the Constitution. Articles 1–7 of the U.S. Constitution as well as the subsequent amendments.

Teaching With Documents: U.S. Constitution Workshop. A self-service online version of our popular on-site U. S. Constitution Workshop

Excerpt, Public Law 108-447 Section 111 of Title I, Division J, of the Fiscal Year 2005 Consolidated Appropriations Act, enacted into law on December 8, 2004, instructs each Federal agency to provide educational materials concerning the United States Constitution to each employee on September 17 of each year.

National Constitution Center—Centuries of Citizenship: A Constitutional Timeline. An online experience highlighting some of the key dates and events that mark more than 200 years of our constitutional history.

National Constitution Center: Interactive U.S. Constitution. Search the text of the Constitution by keyword, explore the Constitution by topic, or search the text of the Constitution by Supreme Court decisions.

Creative Ideas for Local Observances. Examples of activities, meetings, and programs for the observance of Constitution Day and Citizenship Day.

Naturalization Ceremonies in the Rotunda

For more than 30 years, new United States naturalized citizens have taken the oath of allegiance in the National Archives Rotunda in Washington, DC, just steps away from the United States Constitution. Read about the ceremonies held in  2017 , 2018 ,  2019 , and 2022 .

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Constitution

By: History.com Editors

Updated: March 28, 2023 | Original: October 27, 2009

The Constitution of the United States established America’s national government and fundamental laws, and guaranteed certain basic rights for its citizens. 

It was signed on September 17, 1787, by delegates to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. Under America’s first governing document, the Articles of Confederation, the national government was weak and states operated like independent countries. At the 1787 convention, delegates devised a plan for a stronger federal government with three branches—executive, legislative and judicial—along with a system of checks and balances to ensure no single branch would have too much power. 

The Preamble to the U.S. Constitution

The Preamble outlines the Constitution's purpose and guiding principles. It reads:

The Bill of Rights were 10 amendments guaranteeing basic individual protections, such as freedom of speech and religion, that became part of the Constitution in 1791. To date, there are 27 constitutional amendments.

Articles of Confederation

America’s first constitution, the Articles of Confederation , was ratified in 1781, a time when the nation was a loose confederation of states, each operating like independent countries. The national government was comprised of a single legislature, the Congress of the Confederation; there was no president or judicial branch.

The Articles of Confederation gave Congress the power to govern foreign affairs, conduct war and regulate currency; however, in reality these powers were sharply limited because Congress had no authority to enforce its requests to the states for money or troops.

Did you know? George Washington was initially reluctant to attend the Constitutional Convention. Although he saw the need for a stronger national government, he was busy managing his estate at Mount Vernon, suffering from rheumatism and worried that the convention wouldn't be successful in achieving its goals.

Soon after America won its independence from Great Britain with its 1783 victory in the American Revolution , it became increasingly evident that the young republic needed a stronger central government in order to remain stable.

In 1786, Alexander Hamilton , a lawyer and politician from New York , called for a constitutional convention to discuss the matter. The Confederation Congress, which in February 1787 endorsed the idea, invited all 13 states to send delegates to a meeting in Philadelphia.

Forming a More Perfect Union

On May 25, 1787, the Constitutional Convention opened in Philadelphia at the Pennsylvania State House, now known as Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence had been adopted 11 years earlier. There were 55 delegates in attendance, representing all 13 states except Rhode Island , which refused to send representatives because it did not want a powerful central government interfering in its economic business. George Washington , who’d become a national hero after leading the Continental Army to victory during the American Revolution, was selected as president of the convention by unanimous vote.

The delegates (who also became known as the “framers” of the Constitution) were a well-educated group that included merchants, farmers, bankers and lawyers. Many had served in the Continental Army, colonial legislatures or the Continental Congress (known as the Congress of the Confederation as of 1781). In terms of religious affiliation, most were Protestants. Eight delegates were signers of the Declaration of Independence, while six had signed the Articles of Confederation.

At age 81, Pennsylvania’s Benjamin Franklin (1706-90) was the oldest delegate, while the majority of the delegates were in their 30s and 40s. Political leaders not in attendance at the convention included Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) and John Adams (1735-1826), who were serving as U.S. ambassadors in Europe. John Jay (1745-1829), Samuel Adams (1722-1803) and John Hancock (1737-93) were also absent from the convention. Virginia’s Patrick Henry (1736-99) was chosen to be a delegate but refused to attend the convention because he didn’t want to give the central government more power, fearing it would endanger the rights of states and individuals.

Reporters and other visitors were barred from the convention sessions, which were held in secret to avoid outside pressures. However, Virginia’s James Madison (1751-1836) kept a detailed account of what transpired behind closed doors. (In 1837, Madison’s widow Dolley sold some of his papers, including his notes from the convention debates, to the federal government for $30,000.)

Debating the Constitution

The delegates had been tasked by Congress with amending the Articles of Confederation; however, they soon began deliberating proposals for an entirely new form of government. After intensive debate, which continued throughout the summer of 1787 and at times threatened to derail the proceedings, they developed a plan that established three branches of national government–executive, legislative and judicial. A system of checks and balances was put into place so that no single branch would have too much authority. The specific powers and responsibilities of each branch were also laid out.

Among the more contentious issues was the question of state representation in the national legislature. Delegates from larger states wanted population to determine how many representatives a state could send to Congress, while small states called for equal representation. The issue was resolved by the Connecticut Compromise, which proposed a bicameral legislature with proportional representation of the states in the lower house ( House of Representatives ) and equal representation in the upper house (Senate).

Another controversial topic was slavery. Although some northern states had already started to outlaw the practice, they went along with the southern states’ insistence that slavery was an issue for individual states to decide and should be kept out of the Constitution. Many northern delegates believed that without agreeing to this, the South wouldn’t join the Union. For the purposes of taxation and determining how many representatives a state could send to Congress, it was decided that enslaved people would be counted as three-fifths of a person. Additionally, it was agreed that Congress wouldn’t be allowed to prohibit the slave trade before 1808, and states were required to return fugitive enslaved people to their owners.

Ratifying the Constitution

By September 1787, the convention’s five-member Committee of Style (Hamilton, Madison, William Samuel Johnson of Connecticut, Gouverneur Morris of New York, Rufus King of Massachusetts ) had drafted the final text of the Constitution, which consisted of some 4,200 words. On September 17, George Washington was the first to sign the document. Of the 55 delegates, a total of 39 signed; some had already left Philadelphia, and three–George Mason (1725-92) and Edmund Randolph (1753-1813) of Virginia , and Elbridge Gerry (1744-1813) of Massachusetts–refused to approve the document. In order for the Constitution to become law, it then had to be ratified by nine of the 13 states.

James Madison and Alexander Hamilton, with assistance from John Jay, wrote a series of essays to persuade people to ratify the Constitution. The 85 essays, known collectively as “The Federalist” (or “The Federalist Papers”), detailed how the new government would work, and were published under the pseudonym Publius (Latin for “public”) in newspapers across the states starting in the fall of 1787. (People who supported the Constitution became known as Federalists, while those opposed it because they thought it gave too much power to the national government were called Anti-Federalists.)

Beginning on December 7, 1787, five states– Delaware , Pennsylvania, New Jersey , Georgia and Connecticut–ratified the Constitution in quick succession. However, other states, especially Massachusetts, opposed the document, as it failed to reserve un-delegated powers to the states and lacked constitutional protection of basic political rights, such as freedom of speech, religion and the press. 

In February 1788, a compromise was reached under which Massachusetts and other states would agree to ratify the document with the assurance that amendments would be immediately proposed. The Constitution was thus narrowly ratified in Massachusetts, followed by Maryland and South Carolina . On June 21, 1788, New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify the document, and it was subsequently agreed that government under the U.S. Constitution would begin on March 4, 1789. George Washington was inaugurated as America’s first president on April 30, 1789. In June of that same year, Virginia ratified the Constitution, and New York followed in July. On February 2, 1790, the U.S. Supreme Court held its first session, marking the date when the government was fully operative.

Rhode Island, the last holdout of the original 13 states, finally ratified the Constitution on May 29, 1790.

The Bill of Rights

In 1789, Madison, then a member of the newly established U.S. House of Representatives , introduced 19 amendments to the Constitution. On September 25, 1789, Congress adopted 12 of the amendments and sent them to the states for ratification. Ten of these amendments, known collectively as the Bill of Rights , were ratified and became part of the Constitution on December 10, 1791. The Bill of Rights guarantees individuals certain basic protections as citizens, including freedom of speech, religion and the press; the right to bear and keep arms; the right to peaceably assemble; protection from unreasonable search and seizure; and the right to a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury. For his contributions to the drafting of the Constitution, as well as its ratification, Madison became known as “Father of the Constitution.”

To date, there have been thousands of proposed amendments to the Constitution. However, only 17 amendments have been ratified in addition to the Bill of Rights because the process isn’t easy–after a proposed amendment makes it through Congress, it must be ratified by three-fourths of the states. The most recent amendment to the Constitution, Article XXVII, which deals with congressional pay raises, was proposed in 1789 and ratified in 1992.

The Constitution Today

In the more than 200 years since the Constitution was created, America has stretched across an entire continent and its population and economy have expanded more than the document’s framers likely ever could have envisioned. Through all the changes, the Constitution has endured and adapted.

The framers knew it wasn’t a perfect document. However, as Benjamin Franklin said on the closing day of the convention in 1787: “I agree to this Constitution with all its faults, if they are such, because I think a central government is necessary for us… I doubt too whether any other Convention we can obtain may be able to make a better Constitution.” Today, the original Constitution is on display at the National Archives in Washington, D.C. Constitution Day is observed on September 17, to commemorate the date the document was signed.

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ASU professor discusses the history, importance of Constitution Day

Sept. 17 a national day to reflect on the impact of the original document, both its governing principles and its compromises.

Flags fly on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU Now

In September 1787, the delegates of the Constitutional Convention took the monumental step of signing the document they had drafted during the convention and which would become the Constitution of the United States. It would be sent to the 13 states for ratification, which was anything but certain. The signatures on that document were the final steps in the creation of a constitutional experiment that has informed and protected the democratic republican principles of the United States of America and set a pattern for emerging democracies around the world. 

Today, more than 200 years into this experiment, it is important to remember that although the U.S. enjoys a stable government, political liberty is fragile and requires attentiveness to continue. As part of a congressional mandate, every college and university that receives federal funding is required to hold an educational program in observance of Constitution Day, and the School of Civic and Economic Thought and Leadership at Arizona State University will host its third annual Constitution Day address at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 17.

This year, for the  2019 Constitution Day address, the School of Civic and Economic Thought and Leadership hosts former federal judge and Stanford University School of Law Professor Michael McConnell as the school's third Constitution Day speaker. The topic of his address is “The President Who Would Not Be King.” McConnell’s lecture will discuss the struggle of the delegates to the Constitutional Convention to create a single executive, a presidency that would have sufficient energy and authority to lead the nation effectively, but without creating an elective monarchy, which could potentially threaten the liberty of the people.

Question: What is the history of Constitution Day in the United States? 

Answer: Constitution Day honors the day, Sept. 17, 1787, that the delegates to the Constitutional Convention met for the final time to sign the document they had written and which they were about to send out to the states for ratification. In 1952, Congress passed a joint resolution designating Sept. 17 as Citizenship Day, followed by another joint resolution in 1956 creating Constitution Week (Sept. 17-23). Then, in 2005, Congress consolidated these to create “Constitution Day,” to require states, counties, cities and towns to commemorate Constitution Day. 

In addition, by congressional mandate, colleges and universities receiving federal funding are required each year to hold an educational program in observance of Constitution Day.

Q: Why is it important for citizens to celebrate Constitution Day?

A: The official purpose of Constitution Day is to set aside a day for the instruction of citizens concerning their responsibilities and opportunities as citizens of the United States.  Constitution Day provides an opportunity for institutions of higher education to take a day to engage the student body in discussion about the Constitution, or provisions of the Constitution.

The United States is governed by the rule of law, with the Constitution serving as the fundamental law of the land. It provides rules for the structure of our institutions of government, dividing power between the states and the federal government, and then among the three branches of government — Congress, the executive branch and the judiciary — and ensures the protection of our fundamental rights and freedoms — to freedom of speech, of belief, association, to own property, among others. It also provides an opportunity to reflect on the compromises and flaws to be found in the original document that have had such an enormous impact on American history.   

Q: What should Americans be thinking about on Constitution Day? What should we do to commemorate the adoption of the U.S. Constitution? Why is this important today? 

A: Constitution Day provides an opportunity for Americans to reflect on the unique nature of the American Constitution. It represents a great experiment, as Alexander Hamilton tells us in the first of "The Federalist Papers,"   and poses the question whether “societies of men are really capable or not of establishing good government from reflection and choice, or whether they are forever destined to depend for their political constitutions on accident and force.”  Were human beings capable of designing a government that would protect their rights and freedoms of the people and depend fundamentally on their ability to govern themselves? We are over 200 years into this constitutional experiment, but it is important to remember that while the United States enjoys a stable democratic republican government, political liberty is always fragile and requires study and attentiveness for it to endure.

Q: What should people know about Constitution Day and the U.S. Constitution that may be overlooked? 

A: Perhaps most important to remember is that we should read, teach and study the Constitution as a means to reminding ourselves that government dedicated to the protection of civil rights and liberties, derived from an understanding of human beings as fundamentally equal, is in the long history of the world a relatively new creation, and one that we should not take for granted. We should recall that the Constitution was written as a document with which to govern ourselves as free people. We often fail to live up to our principles, but the continued existence of the Constitution recalls us to those principles.

This article was written by Carol McNamara , associate director for public programs for the School of Civic and Economic Thought and Leadership, and a senior lecturer in the school, teaching ancient Greek political thought and leadership, politics and literature, and women in political thought.

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Meet the 2023 Constitution Day Essay Winners

October 16, 2023.

First Place: Joshua Topham

Joshua Topham, an American Studies major with minors in both history and political science, took first place this year with his essay The Case for the Constitution .

In his winning essay, Joshua argues that everyone should care about the Constitution for at least three reasons: (1) it was a radical political innovation that has shaped world history in meaningful ways; (2) the document formed a system of government of, by, and for the people — in other words, it is part of our shared history as Americans; (3) by design, we the people have a continued role in the life of the document.

Joshua wishes to thank Academic Vice President Justin Collings and Professor Paul Kerry for their invaluable instruction about the Constitution. He's especially grateful for his wife, Anna, who proofreads all of his essays and he plans to use part of his award on a gift for her. The rest he'll save for his upcoming law and graduate school application fees.

Second Place: Jessica Dofelmire

Jessica Dofelmire, who wrote the second-place article Rare Rights: Understanding the U.S. Constitution , is a recent political science graduate and is now in her first year at the BYU Law School.

In her essay, Jessica shows a deep gratitude and understanding of the United States Constitution. She shares her experience digging a sewage ditch for her friend Francisco in Mozambique. Jessica explains that because of the corruption in his government, Francisco doesn’t have access to medical care for his degenerative disease, justice for crimes committed against him, or even basic infrastructure such as a sewage system. Jessica highlights the first, second, and third articles of the Constitution that grant U.S. citizens legislative power and enforce executive checks and balances so Americans don’t fall prey to political corruption. She highlights the ninth amendment, saying, “The government does not operate to grant us rights, it operates to protect them, and the Constitution ensures that.”

You could never tell it from her essays’ incredible craftsmanship, but Jessica didn’t even see the posting for the essay competition until the night before it was due. “I had been thinking a lot about the experience that I discuss in the paper, so the essay thankfully took shape very quickly,” she says.

Jessica wants everyone to know that she “hope[s] BYU continues with their initiative for Constitution Day because it is so important for U.S. citizens to understand their rights and privileges and how unique those rights and privileges are in the world. Everyone can benefit from a quick refresh on what the Constitution actually does.”

Third Place: Paige Matthews Volz

Paige Matthews Volz is a history teaching major at BYU and author of the third-place essay Learning Liberty .

In Paige’s essay, she cries out for more passion. “Constitutional awareness and ownership need time and nourishment to grow to their full potential,” she says.

Paige gives two examples of adults with powerful faith and knowledge of the Constitution. Dr. Harris, a veteran who fought for liberty and equality for African Americans, and her own mother, a “Constitution fanatic.” Paige reminds us that the Constitution is a living document that passes into the hands of each new generation along with the responsibility for the document’s improvement.

Paige had a week to prepare her essay and spent every spare minute writing. She had doubts her essay would place due to the time crunch. She says, “I quite literally shouted out with surprise and happiness when I saw the email come through, telling me I had won the third-place prize! I felt an extreme sense of accomplishment in that moment, and ever since.”

Paige was inspired to submit an essay by Jeff Nokes, history professor and associate dean, who encouraged his entire class to enter. She is grateful to her husband for inspiring her to enter competitions such as this and she also thanks Nokes for his prompt and valuable feedback.

Maybe you could be the next essay contest winner! Students with a major or minor in the College of Family, Home, and Social Sciences can watch for our weekly newsletter in your BYU email to learn about upcoming contests and other opportunities.

Essay on Constitution Day

Students are often asked to write an essay on Constitution Day in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Constitution Day

Introduction.

Constitution Day, also known as Samvidhan Divas, is celebrated every year on November 26th. It is a day of great importance in India’s history.

Significance

On this day in 1949, the Constituent Assembly of India adopted the Constitution. It is the supreme law that governs the country.

Celebrations

Various activities and programs are organized to raise awareness about the Constitution. It helps us understand our rights and duties as citizens.

Constitution Day reminds us of our commitment to uphold the values of our Constitution, promoting unity, integrity, and harmony in the country.

Also check:

• Speech on Constitution Day

250 Words Essay on Constitution Day

Constitution Day, also known as National Law Day, is celebrated annually on the 26th of November. This day commemorates the adoption of the Constitution in India. It is a day of great significance, as it acknowledges the efforts taken by our forefathers to establish a democratic republic.

Historical Significance

On November 26, 1949, the Constituent Assembly of India adopted the Constitution, which came into effect on January 26, 1950. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the chairman of the drafting committee, played a pivotal role in its creation. The day emphasizes the value of democracy and the rule of law.

Objective of Constitution Day

The objective of Constitution Day is to promote constitutional values among citizens. It is a day to remember the architects of our Constitution and to reiterate our commitment to uphold its ideals. It also serves to spread awareness about the fundamental rights and duties enshrined in the Constitution.

Observance of Constitution Day

Constitution Day is observed with great fervor across the nation. Activities such as reading the Preamble in schools and colleges, organizing lectures, and debates on constitutional topics are common. These events aim to instill respect for the Constitution and promote democratic values.

Constitution Day is not just a celebration; it is a reminder of our duty to uphold the principles of our Constitution. It is a day to reaffirm our commitment to democracy, justice, equality, and fraternity. As we observe this day, let us pledge to work together to uphold the values enshrined in our Constitution, to ensure a better future for all citizens.

500 Words Essay on Constitution Day

Introduction to constitution day.

Constitution Day, also known as National Law Day, is celebrated annually on the 26th of November in India. This day commemorates the adoption of the Constitution of India, which replaced the Government of India Act (1935) as the governing document of India. The Constitution of India, drafted by Dr. B. R. Ambedkar and his team, came into effect on 26th January 1950. However, it was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on 26th November 1949.

Significance of Constitution Day

The day holds immense significance as it marks the culmination of the hard work of the drafting committee who meticulously crafted the Constitution over a period of 2 years, 11 months, and 18 days. The Constitution of India is not merely a document but the embodiment of the values, hopes, and aspirations of the people of India. It is a beacon of democracy, securing to all its citizens justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity. It is the supreme law of the land, providing the framework for the political, legal, and social systems in India.

Constitution Day was first observed in 2015 as part of a year-long celebration of the 125th birth anniversary of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, the Chairman of the Drafting Committee. The day is observed by reading the Preamble of the Constitution in schools, colleges, and other public institutions. It is a day to reflect on the journey of India as a democratic republic and to reiterate our commitment to upholding the values enshrined in the Constitution.

The Constitution: A Living Document

The Constitution of India is often referred to as a ‘living document’ because of its ability to adapt and evolve with changing times. It has been amended 104 times since its inception, demonstrating its flexibility to meet the changing needs of a diverse and dynamic society. It guarantees fundamental rights to all citizens and outlines the duties and responsibilities of the government and its citizens.

Constitution Day is a reminder of our duty to uphold and protect the principles of our Constitution. It is a day to celebrate our democratic heritage and to acknowledge the role of the Constitution in shaping the destiny of the nation. It is a day to pay tribute to the visionaries who drafted this magnificent document and to reaffirm our faith in the values it embodies. As we celebrate Constitution Day, let us pledge to uphold the constitutional ideals and values and strive to build an inclusive and just society.

In the words of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, “Constitution is not a mere lawyers document, it is a vehicle of Life, and its spirit is always the spirit of Age.” On this day, let us remember these words and strive to live by them.

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Home » Resources » Constitution Day Writing Prompts – Middle and High School

Constitution Day Writing Prompts – Middle and High School

Three writing prompts for Constitution Day are provided for middle school and high school. The prompts can be used as a formal essay, at writing stations, or as a “discuss and write.”

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Home — Essay Samples — Law, Crime & Punishment — Constitution — The Constitution of the United States

The Constitution of The United States

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Published: Jan 4, 2019

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September 17th is Constitution Day! On that date in 1787, the delegates to the Constitutional Convention completed and signed the Constitution of the United States at Independence Hall. In late 2004, Senator Robert Byrd, one of the United States Senates leading Constitutional scholars, introduced legislation that President George W. Bush signed into law on December 8, 2004 requiring that all schools, colleges and Federal agencies receiving Federal funds offer annual educational programming involving the Constitution of the United States on or around Constitution Day, September 17th.

American Freedom Essay Contest The Constitutional Walking Tour of Philadelphia is a great way to celebrate Constitution Day! Since 2007, The Constitutional has sponsored its annual American Freedom Essay Contest in September and October where students compete to win a free school field trip for their entire class to Historic Philadelphia.

Additionally, The Constitutional offers a variety of other resources to help educational institutions and Federal agencies fulfill the annual requirement for Constitution Day programming.

Make a Reservation For Your School's Field Trip.

Please see below for a detailed list of resources offered:

The Constitutional Walking Tour More Info

The Constitutional Walking Tour offers group rates and student discounts for groups of 25 or more. Field Trips for schools and groups can be arranged for almost anytime - weekday or weekend, day or evening. We can accommodate up to 500 walkers. We provide multiple in-house trained tour guides for an entertaining and informative storytelling tour, for children and chaperones alike. We can assist you in integrating our tour into your academic curriculum, including annual Constitution Day programming on or around September 17th.

For more information, click here .

Click here to make a reservation , or call our group sales department at 215-525-1776.

The Constitutional also offers Combination Field Trip Packages with the National Constitution Center with special group package rates (for a minimum of 20 people). For more information, click here to download the PDF , or call our group sales department at 215-525-1776.

As an add on for group tours, we also offer custom souvenir T-shirts for your group so your group members are easily identifiable, as well as souvenir merchandise such as mini Liberty Bells, Constitution Scrolls and pocket Constitutions.

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For more information, please contact our Education Department at [email protected] or 215-525-1776.

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The energetic storytellers, tour guides and historical character impersonators provide visitors with an educational and entertaining experience. Using modern day technology, visitors can step back in time to a day and age long before Facebook, smart phones, and the Internet and walk in the Founding Fathers' footsteps.

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Pricing is available on a per student basis for qualified educational use only (not for commercial use). For more information on our educational licensing platform, please contact us at 215-525-1776. Self Guided Tours

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For more information, please contact our Education Department at [email protected] 215.525.1776.

CONSTITUTION DAY PARTNERS

Constitution Day, Inc. The Constitutional Walking Tour of Philadelphia is working with Constitution Day, Inc. to help facilitate the national simultaneous recitation of the Preamble of the Constitution of the United States. The Preamble Across America initiative has been designed to help educate each new generation about the oldest Constitution of any nation in the world, the birthday of the American government, and American ideals. For more information, visit www.constitutionday.com .

National Constitution Center To help celebrate Constitution Day, The Constitutional Walking Tour of Philadelphia is also working with the National Constitution Center's "America Reads the Constitution" initiative and others. For more information, visit www.constitutionday.us .