Constitution Day 2022

        "We the People of the United States" is a phrase everyone has heard from their first-grade social studies class to their American Government course in college. Known as part of the preamble of the United States Constitution, this phrase symbolizes the authority the people have over the government. On September 17th, Constitution Day is celebrated in the United States, along with Citizenship Day. 

History of the U.S. Constitution

    The United States Constitution is celebrated on September 17th because that's when it was signed. In 1787, there were 39 delegates at the Constitutional Convention that came together to approve this transformative document. During the Convention, delegates worked to establish a government "with enough power to act on a national level, but without so much power that fundamental rights would be at risk." In 2004, Constitution Day was established through Senator Robert C. Byrd's legislation. The original Constitution document is available to view at the National Archives Museum in Washington D.C. A transcript of the Constitution can also be read through the National Archives. 

Importance of Constitution Day

    Constitution Day has been celebrated for years and it shows just how important the day is. In fact, Public Law 108-447 requires "educational institutions that receive federal funds" to hold educational programs on the United States Constitution. Because it is crucial to educate the public and students about this document, various U.S. Departments offer lessons plans and education resources. The Department of Education offers the following:

• Constitution USA for High School
• Ratifying the Constitution: A Digital Game
• National History Day: Origins of the U.S. Constitution
• Constitution of the United States: Primary Documents in American History

The National Archives also offers various Student Webinar Programs for a variety of grades. Another resource that goes into depth regarding the Constitution is the Constitution Annotated: An Analysis and Interpretation of the U.S. Constitution. This site offers a "legal analysis and interpretation" based on Supreme Court cases and the relevance to the text. Government Information Online has a past post with more information here.

Amending the Constitution

    As years have passed by, amendments have had to be made to the Constitution. Article V of the Constitution specifically addresses these types of situations. Amendments can be proposed in two ways:

1. A joint solution passed by a two-third vote of Congress
2. A Convention called by Congress in response to applications from two-thirds of the state legislatures

After those Congress procedures, the ratification process goes to the Archivist of the United States. Because the Constitution or the U.S. Code doesn't describe the ratification process, the ratification procedure was established by the Secretary of State. The White House doesn't have to sign or approve anything in this process. Once three-fourths of the State ratify the amendment, it can be a part of the Constitution. 

Oklahoma State University 2022 Celebration

To celebrate Constitution Day, the Oklahoma State Universtiy Library, the Department of Political Science, Political Science Club, and Pi Sigma Alpha have come together to create an activity, "Contemplating the Constitution." The OSU community is being asked to submit six word responses to the prompt, "How would you amend the Constitution?"  

Other Resources

Congressional Research Service

CRS does research for Congress on a variety of topics, and they offer various information topics regarding the Constitution. 

Senate Stories | Celebrating Constitution Day

Learn more about the Constitutions impact on the Senate.

White House | The Constitution

Learn even more about the Constitution's history and the ratification process. 

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Government Information Online is produced by the staff at the Oklahoma State University Libraries Government Documents Department, a regional depository for U.S. Government and Oklahoma state government documents. We are located on the 5th floor of the Edmon Low Library. Our department website can be reached at www.info.library.okstate.edu/government-documents. For more information or for research assistance, contact us at 405.744.6546. or email suzanne.reinman@okstate.edu.