Constitution Day and Citizenship Day

Constitution Day and Citizenship Day
Naturalization ceremony on September 17, 2015, in the Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom, National Archives Building, Washington, D.C.
Observed byUnited States
CelebrationsCommemorates the formation and signing on September 17, 1787, of the United States Constitution and recognizes all who, by coming of age or by naturalization, have become citizens.[1]
DateSeptember 17
FrequencyAnnual
Related toI Am an American Day
Constitution Week

Constitution Day and Citizenship Day is an American federal observance that recognizes the adoption of the United States Constitution and those who have become U.S. citizens. It is normally observed on September 17, the day in 1787 that delegates to the Constitutional Convention signed the document in Philadelphia.[1] The United States Congress designated September 17 as Constitution Day and Citizenship Day on February 29, 1952, by joint resolution (36 U.S.C. 106).[2] It begins Constitution Week in the United States, which continues through September 23.

The law establishing the present holiday was modified in 2004 with the passage of an amendment by Senator Robert Byrd to the omnibus spending bill of 2004.[3] Before this law was enacted, the holiday was known as I Am an American Day and Citizenship Day and celebrated on the third Sunday in May. The amendment mandates that all publicly funded educational institutions, and all federal agencies, provide educational programming on the history of the American Constitution on that day.[4] In May 2005, the United States Department of Education announced the enactment of this law and that it would apply to any school receiving federal funds of any kind.[5]

When the event falls on a weekend or on another holiday, schools and other institutions observe Constitution Day and Citizenship Day on an adjacent weekday.[5]

  1. ^ a b 36 U.S.C. § 106, Constitution Day and Citizenship Day
  2. ^ "A Proclamation on Constitution Day and Citizenship Day, and Constitution Week, 2024". The White House. September 16, 2024. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
  3. ^ Krache, Donna (September 16, 2005). "Constitution Day ushers in mandate to teach the Constitution". CNN. Retrieved August 12, 2008.
  4. ^ Miscellaneous Appropriations and Offsets Act, 2005, Pub. L.Tooltip Public Law (United States) 108–447 (text) (PDF), Division J, Title I, § 111, 118 Stat. 2809, 3345, enacted December 8, 2004.
  5. ^ a b "Notice of Implementation of Constitution Day and Citizenship Day on September 17 of Each Year". United States Department of Education. May 24, 2005. Retrieved March 13, 2021.