If you're on campus September 15th - 30th, please stop by and visit our Constitution Day & Citizenship Day display on the first floor of Bierce Library. We welcome you to explore the print books on display and the ebooks, streaming video and web resources listed on this guide. While supplies last, you can pick up a free pocket size copy of the Declaration of Independence and The Constitution of the United States by the display or at the Service Desk. If you prefer, you can make your own US Constitution Booklet at ConstitutionBooklet.com.
The date itself commemorates the signing of the Constitution at the end of the Constitutional Convention, held from May 25 to September 17, 1787. This historic document serves as a remarkable blueprint for a governed body, ensuring the protection of individual rights, the rule of law, and the preservation of the nation’s values. The Constitution establishes 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.
Constitution Day celebrations take various forms across the country. Educational institutions often organize special programs and discussions about the Constitution’s history and contemporary relevance. It is a time for students to learn about the nation’s history and the importance of civic engagement.**
* 36 U.S.C. 106
**From Constitution Day and Citizenship Day by AskGPO
