Embedded Files
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
https://www.archives.gov/news/topics/constitution-day Aug 26, 2024 "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." Civics for All of US
https://www.constitutionfacts.com Sep 17, 2025 "Welcome to ConstitutionFacts.com where you'll see the entire text of the Constitution, the Bill of Rights and the Declaration of Independence - and much more! You'll find interesting insights into the men who wrote the Constitution, how it was created, and how the Supreme Court has interpreted the United States Constitution in the two centuries since its creation." Pocket Constitution
done in Convention by the Unanimous Consent of the States present the Seventeenth Day of September in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Eighty seven and of the Independance of the United States of America the Twelfth In witness whereof We have hereunto subscribed our Names,
The Constitution is the supreme law of the United States. These four large sheets of parchment define the framework and powers of the Federal Government. Written in 1787, the Constitution established an ingenious practical system of government that derives its power from “We the People of the United States” and promotes the welfare of all its citizens.
https://www.govinfo.gov/features/constitution-citizenship-day-2021 Sep 17, 2021 "Commemorating the formation and signing of the U.S. Constitution, and recognizing those who have become U.S. citizens. The signing of the United States Constitution on September 17, 1787, by delegates to the Constitutional Convention established America’s national government and fundamental laws. At the 1787 convention delegates formulated a plan for a stronger government establishing three branches – Legislative, Executive, and Judicial – along with a system of checks and balances ensuring no single branch would have too much power. It wasn’t until 2004 that the holiday took on the full name it bears today. In 2004, a law was enacted renaming the holiday “Constitution Day and Citizenship Day,” (36 U.S.C. 106) requiring public schools and institutions to provide information on the history of the country’s Constitution." GOVInfo
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/09/17/federal-schools-universities-celebrate-constitution-day Sep 17, 2010 "Across the country on Friday, institutions of education -- from the largest universities to the tiniest one-room schoolhouses -- are celebrating Constitution Day and Citizenship Day, offering educational programs about the Constitution of the United States...They have to. It's the law....In 2004, at the urging of the late Sen. Robert Byrd of West Virginia, Congress passed a law designating Sept. 17 as "Constitution Day and Citizenship Day."" Fox News
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/09/17/federal-schools-universities-celebrate-constitution-day/# Sep 17, 2010 "Each educational institution that receives Federal funds for a fiscal year shall hold an educational program on the Constitution on Sept. 17 each year."
The signing of the United States Constitution on September 17, 1787, by delegates to the Constitutional Convention established America’s national government and fundamental laws. At the 1787 convention delegates formulated a plan for a stronger government establishing three branches – Legislative, Executive, and Judicial – along with a system of checks and balances ensuring no single branch would have too much power.
It wasn’t until 2004 that the holiday took on the full name it bears today. In 2004, a law was enacted renaming the holiday “Constitution Day and Citizenship Day,” (36 U.S.C. 106) requiring public schools and institutions to provide information on the history of the country’s Constitution. GovInfo
https://www.sdcoe.net/about-sdcoe/news/post/~board/news/post/2022-constitution-day Aug 26, 2022 Americans will celebrate Constitution Day on Sept. 17, the day in 1787 when delegates to the Constitutional Convention signed the document in Philadelphia. SDCOE
https://www.archives.gov/press/press-releases/2012/nr12-161.html Sep 13, 2012 "Washington, DC…As part of the celebration of the document’s 225th anniversary, the National Archives will for the first time exhibit the so-called “Fifth Page” of the Constitution of the United States. It will be on display from Friday, September 14, through Wednesday, September 19, 2012, in the East Rotunda Gallery in the National Archives Building in Washington, DC. Museum hours are 10 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. daily, but the museum will open late at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, September 17 (Constitution Day). The fifth page is also known as the transmittal page of the Constitution and the Resolutions of the Constitutional Convention. This document, signed by George Washington, who presided over the Constitutional Convention, describes how the Constitution was to be ratified and put into effect." National Archives
https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2024/09/constitution-day-sis.html Sep 5, 2024 "For Constitution Day, teachers can connect the census to our Founding Fathers, who envisioned an accurate count of our nation’s people. James Madison even suggested census takers ask additional questions that would help lawmakers better understand the needs of the nation, an early understanding of the importance of data." United States Census Bureau
https://www.govinfo.gov/features/constitution-citizenship-day-2022 September 16, 2022
Commemorating the formation and signing of the U.S. Constitution, and recognizing those who have become U.S. citizens
The signing of the United States Constitution on September 17, 1787, by delegates to the Constitutional Convention established America’s national government and fundamental laws. At the 1787 convention delegates formulated a plan for a stronger government establishing three branches – Legislative, Executive, and Judicial – along with a system of checks and balances ensuring no single branch would have too much power.
It wasn’t until 2004 that the holiday took on the full name it bears today. In 2004, a law was enacted renaming the holiday “Constitution Day and Citizenship Day,” (36 U.S.C. 106) requiring public schools and institutions to provide information on the history of the country’s Constitution.
U.S. Constitution Facts and Figures:
U.S. Constitution Facts and Figures:
Although written and signed in 1787, it wasn’t until June 21, 1788, that it was ratified by the necessary nine of thirteen states to become binding.
There were 55 delegates to the Constitutional Convention, although only 39 signed the document.
Twelve of the 13 states were represented; Rhode Island did not send delegates to the Convention.
Benjamin Franklin, 81, was the oldest delegate to the Constitutional Convention; Jonathan Dayton, 26, was the youngest.
IN CONVENTION Monday September 17th 1787.
Present
The States of
New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Mr. Hamilton from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia.
Resolved,
That the proceeding Constitution be laid before the United States in Congress assembled, and that it is the Opinion of this Convention, that it should afterwards be submitted to a Convention of Delegates, chosen in each State by the People thereof, under the Recommendation of its Legislature, for their Assent and Ratification; and that each Convention assenting to, and ratifying the Same, should give Notice thereof to the United States in Congress assembled.
Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Convention, that as soon as the Conventions of nine States shall have ratified this Constitution, the United States in Congress assembled should fix a Day on which Electors should be appointed by the States which shall have ratified the same, and a Day on which the Electors should assemble to vote for the President, and the Time and Place for commencing Proceedings under this Constitution. That after such Publication the Electors should be appointed, and the Senators and Representatives elected: That the Electors should meet on the Day fixed for the Election of the President, and should transmit their Votes certified, signed, sealed and directed, as the Constitution requires, to the Secretary of the United States in Congress assembled, that the Senators and Representatives should convene at the Time and Place assigned; that the Senators should appoint a President of the Senate, for the sole Purpose of receiving, opening and counting the Votes for President; and, that after he shall be chosen, the Congress, together with the President, should, without Delay, proceed to execute this Constitution.
By the Unanimous Order of the Convention
Go WASHINGTON Presidt
W. JACKSON Secretary.
Delaware: December 7, 1787
Pennsylvania: December 12, 1787
New Jersey: December 18, 1787
Georgia: January 2, 1788
Connecticut: January 9, 1788
Massachusetts: February 6, 1788
Maryland: April 28, 1788
South Carolina: May 23, 1788
New Hampshire: June 21, 1788 (With this state’s ratification, the Constitution became legal.)
Virginia: June 25, 1788
New York: July 26, 1788
North Carolina: November 21, 1789
Rhode Island: May 29, 1790 (Rhode Island did not hold a Constitutional Convention.)
"The Constitution is the guide which I never will abandon." George Washington
"The sacred rights of mankind are not to be rummaged for, among old parchments, or musty records. They are written, as with a sun beam in the whole volume of human nature, by the hand of the divinity itself; and can never be erased or obscured by mortal power." Alexander Hamilton
At the conclusion of the Constitutional Convention, Benjamin Franklin was asked, “What have you wrought?” He answered, . . . a Republic, if you can keep it."
"The Declaration of Independence was the promise; the Constitution was the fulfillment." Warren Burger
". . . a constitution, intended to endure for ages to come, and consequently, to be adapted to the various crises of human affairs. John Marshall
Answer these questions using The Constitution of the United States.
https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/constitution-transcript
How many Articles make up the Constitution?
What is the current total number of United States Senators?
How many years makes one term for a United States Representative?
Who is in charge of the executive branch?
What is the minimum age for a person to get elected to the House of Representatives?
What is the minimum age to become President of the United States?
What is the minimum age to become a United States Senator?
What is the introduction to the Constitution called?
How many Sections are in Article I of the Constitution?
All legislative powers granted by the Constitution are vested in a ________ of the ______ ______.
What are the two houses of the Congress of the United States?
Which house of Congress can write bills raising revenue?
Who is the President of the Senate?
What are the three branches that make up the government of the United States?
Which Amendment outlawed slavery in the United States? In what year?
How many States had to ratify the Constitution before it could become the law of the United States?
Which Article makes the Constitution the "supreme law of the land"?
Which Article deals with relations among the States?
Which Article created the Supreme Court?
Which Article created the office of President of the United States?
Which Article created the Legislative branch?
How many Senators are there currently in America?
How many days (Sundays excepted) does the President have to return a bill to Congress?
What are the first ten Amendments of the Constitution called?
What is the current total number of Amendments?
List the five rights protected by Amendment One.
Which Amendment was repealed on December 5, 1933?
On what day, month, and year was the Constitution signed?
Which Amendments expanded suffrage?
Who has the power to create a government?
How does a bill become a law?
How does a bill become a law?
After watching "I'm Just a Bill," write a response about how a bill becomes a law.
Include ALL of these terms in the response:
Legislative
Executive
Judicial (not in the cartoon)
Congress
House of Representatives
Senate
U.S. Capitol
White House
President of the United States
veto
committee
bill
law
The Constitution of the United States of America: Analysis and Interpretation, popularly known as the Constitution Annotated, encompasses the U.S. Constitution and analysis and interpretation of the U.S. Constitution with in-text annotations of cases decided by the Supreme Court of the United States.
Visit constitution.congress.gov to access the Library of Congress' regularly updated online version of the Constitution Annotated.
The U.S. Constitution comprises the primary law of the U.S. Federal Government. It describes the three chief branches of the Federal Government and their jurisdictions, and lays out the basic rights of citizens of the United States. The U.S. Constitution is the oldest Federal constitution in existence and was framed by a convention of delegates from twelve of the thirteen original states in Philadelphia in May 1787, Rhode Island failing to send a delegate. The U.S. Constitution is the landmark legal document of the United States.
https://www.kpbs.org/news/2020/jan/27/more-or-less-perfect-union-personal-exploration-ju Jan 27, 2020 KPBS article by Jennifer Robinson that provides details about this three-part documentary series that explores the U.S. Constitution.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_nAjXQ0bWk Sep 23, 2019 “We the People of the United States.” Those seven words have been ringing for all to hear since 1787. They serve as the opening lines to our Constitution – the world’s oldest national constitution in continual use. Some say it's archaic and needs doing away with – but they couldn’t be more wrong. Here’s why. https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/constitution-day-teachable-moment-kay-coles-james The Heritage Foundation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejH1Xvw12sA Sep 16, 2010 As we celebrate another Constitution Day, we should take time to reflect on the awesome gift of the Constitution and work to commit ourselves further to the principles of the Founding. The Heritage Foundation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpdfML6RFlg Sep 16, 2019 “Congratulations, you are all United States citizens.” With these simple words, a federal judge welcomed new citizens as part of a series of naturalization ceremonies held in recent weeks at professional baseball stadiums across the country. This video captures the momentous occasions with interviews of new citizens about what it means to be an American. “This is my home, and it feels good to say I belong here, that I am a citizen,” said one woman who had just taken the Oath of Allegiance. Since 2015, the federal Judiciary has celebrated the weeks surrounding Constitution Day and Citizenship Day by hosting naturalizations in distinctive settings. This year, federal judges are naturalizing more than 700 citizens at 11 major and minor league ballparks. On Sunday, at the Philadelphia Phillies stadium—just a short distance from where the Constitutional Convention drafted the nation’s founding document—Chief Judge Juan R. Sánchez swore in 15 new citizens at a game attended by more than 39,000 people. Among the candidates was Saurav Upadhyay, 32, a Nepalese immigrant. He lived on just $20 a week when he came to America to go to college. “It was a lot of rice and, sometimes, some soy sauce,” he said. He now does international work for the Society of Friends in Pennsylvania. The video highlights ceremonies at the home fields of the Auburn (New York) Doubledays, Hartford (Connecticut) Yard Goats, Dayton (Ohio) Dragons, and Oklahoma City Dodgers. The immense joy of the newly minted citizens was shared by baseball fans and presiding judges alike. Magistrate Judge Michael Newman, who administered the Oath of Allegiance in Dayton, said a standing ovation from fans was “a recognition of what an important event this is.” Newman added, “It’s exciting to me because, what’s more American than baseball?” Constitution Day and Citizenship Day are officially observed on Sept. 17, the date in 1787 that delegates signed the U.S. Constitution. Watch other educational outreach videos: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4bcxoLSIaXfI73K3xleGMxG8LrcWsu05 United States Courts
https://ca.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/idm-constitution-fulfill-ideals-doi-video-gallery/benjamin-franklin Grades: 6-8, 9-12 Collection: Ken Burns in the Classroom https://ca.pbslearningmedia.org/collection/kenburnsclassroom/home
Film: Benjamin Franklin https://ca.pbslearningmedia.org/collection/kenburnsclassroom/film/benjamin-franklin One of the most iconic lines of the Declaration was edited by Benjamin Franklin. While Thomas Jefferson had written, “we hold these truths to be sacred and undeniable,” Franklin made an extraordinary change to the statement. He wrote “we hold these truths to be self-evident.” https://ca.pbslearningmedia.org/subjects/social-studies PBS Learning Media for California Educators
(Download PDF). Learn about the three main branches of the U.S.government, their roles and responsibilities, and how they work together to ensure that no one branch has too much power.
We’re celebrating Constitution Day! Join the C-SPAN Classroom team for this week's episode as we share C-SPAN resources that teach about the U.S. Constitution, its relevance today, and the public’s knowledge of this founding document. As a reminder, if you would like to connect with our team, please email us anytime at educate@c-span.org. C-Span Classroom Podcast https://sites.google.com/view/c-spanclassroom-featured/podcasts#h.e52z5krv39yz
https://www.c-span.org/classroom/document/?6505 The Constitutional Convention MAY 25, 2017 Rosemarie Zabarri gives an overivew of the Constitutional Convention and debate over the powers of the Federal Government. C-Span Classroom
Constitution Day U.S. Armed Forces Videos
Constitution Day U.S. Armed Forces Videos
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-AHnLQbuNsY May 30, 2018 “In this country, in these United States, under our colors of red, white and blue … all Americans are created free and equal and we will rise or fall based on our merit and the content of our character and not the color of our skin. That is the core organizing principle of the U.S. Army and that is why we fight.” - Gen Mark Milley, Chief of Staff of the Army. Right now across America, the U.S. Army is commissioning the next generation of officers who will make an oath to support and defend the ideals of the US Constitution. Join us by celebrating their service to their service to our country or by sharing a memory from when you were commissioned. The U.S. Army
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBrKcJRseBg Nov 3, 2020 The Oath of Enlistment is a historic oath that all enlisted recruits take upon joining the U.S. Air Force. It signifies your commitment to serve your country as American Airmen. Aim High, Airmen! https://www.airforce.com/apply-now U.S. Air Force Recruiting
I solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support the Constitution of the United States of America, the Constitution of the State of California, and the laws of the United States and the State of California. I hereby certify (or declare) under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that all the foregoing statements in this application are true and correct.
James Garritson
August 9, 2023
Constitution Day Table of Contents
Constitution Day Table of Contents
Report abuse