“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”
Preamble
To commemorate the September 17, 1787 signing of the Constitution of the United States, Congress has designated September 17 of each year as Constitution Day and September 17-23 of each year as Constitution Week.
In 2004, Public Law 108-447, Section 111 was passed requiring the following:
“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.
“…each Federal agency or department shall provide education and training materials concerning the United States Constitution to each employee…on September 17 of each year.”
In keeping with these congressional mandates, recent presidents have solicited help from federal and local government leaders as well as civic and religious leaders to hold events to commemorate the occasion.
We encourage all citizens to use their influence to organize and support programs that honor the Constitution.
“A primary object…should be the education of our youth in the science of our government. In a republic, what species of knowledge can be equally important? And what duty more pressing…than communicating it to those who are to be the future guardians of the liberties of the country?”
—George Washington
36 USC 106 —
(a)Designation.—September 17 is designated as Constitution Day and Citizenship Day.
(b)Purpose.—Constitution Day and Citizenship Day commemorate the formation and signing on September 17, 1787, of the Constitution and recognize all who, by coming of age or by naturalization, have become citizens.
(c)Proclamation.—The President may issue each year a proclamation calling on United States Government officials to display the flag of the United States on all Government buildings on Constitution Day and Citizenship Day and inviting the people of the United States to observe Constitution Day and Citizenship Day, in schools and churches, or other suitable places, with appropriate ceremonies.
(d)State and Local Observances.—The civil and educational authorities of States, counties, cities, and towns are urged to make plans for the proper observance of Constitution Day and Citizenship Day and for the complete instruction of citizens in their responsibilities and opportunities as citizens of the United States and of the State and locality in which they reside.
