Constitution Day: What It Is and Why We Celebrate It

Discover how a 1787 document shapes your rights today and explore quick resources to learn about Constitution Day on September 17.

About Constitution Day & Citizenship Day

On September 17, 1787, delegates to the Constitutional Convention met in Philadelphia to sign the document that formed the foundation of American democracy.

To honor this landmark moment and promote civic literacy across educational institutions, Congress passed an amendment authored by Senator Robert C. Byrd in December 2004. Following this, on May 24, 2005, the U.S. Department of Education mandated that all educational institutions receiving federal funding hold an annual educational program pertaining to the United States Constitution on September 17.

Constitution Day—observed alongside Citizenship Day—is a time to recognize the rights and responsibilities of American citizenship and celebrate all who have become U.S. citizens by birth or naturalization.

Interactive Learning & Educational Resources

Explore the foundational documents, interactive constitutional tools, and civic engagement resources below to deepen your understanding of American history and governance:

• The United States Constitution & Full Transcript: Read the original text and official transcription of the Constitution from the National Archives.

• The Bill of Rights (Amendments 1–10): Explore the individual liberties protected under the first ten amendments.

• Amendments 11–27: Review the constitutional amendments ratified from 1795 to 1992.

• The Declaration of Independence: Examine the founding document adopted on July 4, 1776.

• The Founding Fathers: Read about each of the founding fathers, including their biographies and interesting facts.

Interactive Tools & Civic Engagement

• National Constitution Center – Interactive Constitution: Dive into clause-by-clause commentary co-authored by leading legal scholars representing diverse legal perspectives.

• National Constitution Center Educational Resources Library: Access interactive civics quizzes, podcasts, videos, and historical drafting tables.

• U.S. Courts Educational Resources: Watch youth recitations of the Preamble, explore civil discourse guides, and learn about the federal judicial system.

• Official U.S. Voter Registration Portal (Vote.gov): Check your voter registration status or register to vote in your state.