Constitution Day

Constitution Day History

Constitution Day commemorates the adoption of the United States Constitution and celebrates the citizens of the United States. The Constitution was written because the existing charter of government, known as the Articles of Confederation, had resulted in creating a weak and ineffective central government. The Constitution defines the supreme law of the United States, with each article of the constitution pertaining to aspects such as the congress, president, judicial system, interrelationship between the state and federal government and process of amendments to the Constitution. James Madison, Oliver Ellsworth, Nathaniel Gorham, Alexander Hamilton, William Johnson, Rufus King, Gouverneur Morris, Benjamin Franklin and George Washington wrote the Constitution.

Constitution Day originally began in 1939 with the suggestion of a holiday to celebrate American Citizenship. President Harry Truman then declared that the third Sunday of May become I am American Day. A decade later, 1953, President Dwight Eisenhower changed the date to coincide with the signing of the Constitution and renamed it Citizenship Day. Constitution or Citizenship Day is observed annually on September 17th, the same day as the US Constitution was signed in 1787.

Top 10 Facts for Constitution Day in 2026

• As the nation observes the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026, many Constitution Day programs specifically highlight the historical connection between the Declaration's founding ideals and the subsequent creation of the constitutional system.
• The 2026 educational theme emphasizes the critical decade between 1776 and 1787, focusing on how a loose confederation of states debated, argued, and ultimately forged the framework for American self-governance.
• Constitution Day is annually observed on September 17 to commemorate the day in 1787 when 39 delegates to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia signed the U.S. Constitution.
• Although it is a federally recognized observance, Constitution Day is not a public holiday, meaning schools, government offices, and private businesses typically remain open.
• Federal law mandates that any educational institution receiving federal funding must hold an educational program about the U.S. Constitution for its students on or around September 17.
• The observance is officially paired with Citizenship Day, which recognizes the rights and responsibilities of all U.S. citizens, whether they are native-born or naturalized.
• Many institutions incorporate a naturalization ceremony into their events, allowing students and the public to witness immigrants taking the Oath of Allegiance to become U.S. citizens.
• Common activities for the observance include public readings of the Constitution's Preamble, distribution of pocket-sized copies of the document, and discussions on its three branches of government.
• The modern form of this observance was established by a 2004 federal spending bill, which was championed by Senator Robert Byrd, who was well-known for regularly carrying a copy of the Constitution in his pocket.
• The U.S. Constitution holds the distinction of being the oldest written national constitution still in operation, serving as a primary model for many other democratic nations worldwide.

In the News and Trending for Constitution Day

Top things to do for Constitution Day

• To learn more about judicial system, read the Constitution of the United States. The Constitution is only a few pages in length and well-organized.
• Visit the National Museum of American History to view displays about the heritage of the United States. Displays include those related to the political, social, cultural, scientific and military history of the United States, including the Constitution. The museum is located in Washington D.C.
• The United States Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution were debated and accepted at the floors of Independence Hall, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Visit Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Visit the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It offers a range of activities for kids and adults, videos and educational material about the U.S. Constitution.
• Watch documentaries relating to the United States Constitution including Constitution USA with Peter Sagal (2013), The Constitution Project (The Documentary Group, 2014), and The United States Constitution (2007).