Constitution Day
September 17th is Constitution Day
On September 17, 1787, our Founding Fathers met in Philadelphia and began drafting one of the most important documents of our nation鈥檚 history. The Constitution was written and signed in the Assembly Room of the Pennsylvania State House, now known as Independence Hall. It established America鈥檚 national government and fundamental laws, and guaranteed certain basic rights for its citizens. Since its adoption in 1789, the The Constitution has been the primary basis for our country鈥檚 government. In 2005, Congress officially established September 17th as Constitution Day, as a way to celebrate this influential document.
鈻� Sets up and defines the government
鈻� Protects basic rights of Americans
The Constitution was written to create a government with enough power to act on a national level, but would not be a risk to fundamental rights. This was accomplished by separating the power of government into three branches, and including checks and balances on those powers to assure that no one branch of government gained supremacy.
It also provides for representation in the U.S. House of Representatives based on state population. Representation based on population in the House was one of the most important components of the Constitutional Convention of 1787.
鈻� A change or an addition to the Constitution
An amendment may be proposed by a two-thirds vote of both Houses of Congress, or, if two-thirds of the States request one, by a convention called for that purpose. The amendment must then be ratified by three-fourths of the State legislatures, or three-fourths of conventions called in each State for ratification.
鈻� the Bill of Rights, which includes:
鈻� freedom of expression
鈻� freedom of speech
鈻� freedom of assembly
鈻� freedom to petition the government
鈻� freedom of religion
鈻� the right to bear arms
Becoming part of the Constitution in 1791, the Bill of Rights were 10 amendments guaranteeing basic individual protections in relation to their government. It guarantees civil rights and liberties to the individual such as freedom of speech and religion. It sets rules for due process of law and reserves all powers not delegated to the Federal Government to the people or the States. And it specifies that 鈥渢he enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.鈥�
We invite you to browse the Marx Library鈥檚 many Constitution-related resources or for additional information on the U.S. Constitution, see:
Constitution Day (National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) )
Commemorating Constitution Day and Citizenship Day (U.S. Dept. of Education)
National Archives: The Constitution of the United States - A Transcription
The White House: Our Government - The Constitution
United States House of Representatives: History, Art, & Archives
History: The United States Constitution
Civics (History and Government) Questions for the Naturalization Test
This Congressional initiative is authorized by Section 111 of Division J of Pub. L. 108-447, the "Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2005,'' Dec. 8, 2004; 118 Stat. 2809, 3344-45 (Section 111). The Assistant Deputy Secretary for Innovation and Improvement (Assistant Deputy Secretary) takes this action in order to implement this provision as it applies to educational institutions receiving Federal funding from the Department. Section 111(b) states "each educational institution that receives Federal funds for a fiscal year shall hold an educational program on the United States Constitution on September 17 of such year for the students served by the educational institution.'' For purposes of the Department's implementation of this requirement, "educational institutions'' includes but is not limited to "local educational agencies'' and "institutions of higher education'' receiving Federal funding from the Department. Section 111 applies to all educational institutions receiving Federal funding, not only those receiving Federal funding from the Department. However, the Department's authority only extends to those educational institutions receiving funding from the Department, and consequently the Department can only regulate with regard to those institutions. Section 111 requires that Constitution Day be held on September 17 of each year, commemorating the September 17, 1787 signing of the Constitution. However, when September 17 falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday, Constitution Day shall be held during the preceding or following week. Section 111 does not authorize funds to carry out this requirement, and Section 111(d) indicates that this section shall apply "without fiscal year limitation.'' Accordingly, the Assistant Deputy Secretary intends that this notice pertain to this fiscal year and all subsequent years.