September 17

Constitution Day

Celebrate Constitution Day and honor the Founding Fathers - learn about their work, the history of our nation, and how we can all participate in upholding this great document!

Yearly Date

September 17

Observed in

United States

Introduction

Celebrate the ratification of the United States Constitution on Constitution Day, Sept. 17! This important day marks the signing of our nation’s founding document in 1787 and honors one of America’s most significant achievements. It's a great opportunity to learn more about our country's history and recognize how far it has come since those early days when it was just forming as a new nation.

Constitution Day Timeline

1787

Constitution Signing

The U.S. Constitution was signed by 39 of the 55 delegates to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia.

1917

First Constitution Day

The Sons of the American Revolution forms a committee to promote "Constitution Day", marking the Constitution's 130th anniversary.

1939

Creation of "I am an American Day"

Congressman named Carl McGee proposes the day be renamed "I am an American Day" to celebrate citizenship as well as the Constitution.

1952

"I am an American Day" Renamed

"I am an American Day" observance is renamed "Constitution Day" and moved to September 17th.

2004

Federal Mandate Enacted

Congress establishes a federal mandate that all public schools and federal agencies provide educational programming on the history of the American Constitution on Constitution Day.

How to Celebrate Constitution Day

1 Read the Constitution

Take time to sit down and read through the Constitution of the United States. It is a great way to learn about our founding document and gain a better understanding of our nation's history.

2 Visit your local government building

Take a trip to City Hall, County Court House, or your State Capitol building. It is a great reminder of the importance of the Constitution and the role it plays in our everyday lives.

3 Organize a Constitution Day parade

Get your local community together and organize a parade celebrating the Constitution. Invite your neighbors, friends and family to join in on the celebration with floats, music and red, white and blue regalia.

4 Screen an educational film

Grab some popcorn and invite your friends over for an educational movie night. Choose a movie about the Constitution such as "1776" or "Amendment XXV: The Movie" for an entertaining way to learn about our nation's founding document.

5 Host a party

Throw a festive celebration at home with tasty food, drinks, music, decorations and games that highlight the importance of the Constitution. Invite your friends and family over for a fun evening celebrating democracy.

Why Constitution Day is Important

It celebrates our founding principles

Constitution Day is a great opportunity to reflect on the foundations of American democracy. It's a reminder of the incredible work done by our Founding Fathers, and allows us to pay tribute to their efforts in crafting such a vibrant and enduring document.

It represents the evolution of our nation

Throughout history, amendments have been made to our Constitution to acknowledge and protect civil liberties. Celebrating Constitution Day gives us the opportunity to recognize these changes, as well as to honor those who fought for them.

It helps us understand our rights and responsibilities

Learning about what the Constitution has to say about rights like freedom of speech and assembly can help us better understand and appreciate our individual rights, as well as our obligations to uphold those rights for others. Taking time out of each year to reflect on these concepts is incredibly important!