Constitution Day 2023

 

    Every September 17, the United States celebrates the U.S. Constitution to commemorate the creation of the supreme law of the land. Because the Constitution defines our government and guarantees our rights, its importance is crucial. Read below to learn more about the history of the holiday and ways to celebrate it. 

History of the Constitution

"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, 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 the United States Constitution

The Preamble of the U.S. Constitution, from its origin in 1787 to now, has been a symbol of what the entire country stands for and its goals as a nation. It is considered the "world's longest surviving written charter of government." The framers wrote the Constitution and created the separation of government powers to enforce the interests of all. Within the Constitution, the role of Congress is laid out, the role of the federal judicial system, and the role of the Senate to provide advice to the president on treaties and nominations. 

In 1956, Congress established Constitution Week to celebrate the importance of this governing document. Senator Robert C. Byrd, in 2004, amended the Consolidated Appropriations Act of Fiscal Year 2005 marking September 17 every year as Constitution Day. It also requires public schools and government offices to provide educational programs to provide a better understanding of the document. 

Celebrate Constitution Day

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services offers a variety of tools to learn about the United States and the Constitution. Some of those resources include: 

• Preparing for the Oath: U.S. History and Civics for Citizenship
• Online videos and activities on 100 civic questions
• A More Perfect Union
• 13 interactive resources that allows people to learn about what is represented by the monuments and memorials in Washington D.C.
• Lesson Plans and Activities
• Lesson plans and student handouts on a variety of topics on the United States

National Archives puts on Civics for All of Us, a new education initiative that promotes civic literacy and engagement. The student programs available range for each grade level, from Constitution Rules to Voting Rights, the Constitution and Representative Government. The site also offers student webinars and teacher workshops. 

OSU Constitution Events

Each year, the OSU Library hosts a "Contemplating the Constitution" question that invites the community to share thoughts and reflections on the Constitution. This year's question is: What does "a more perfect Union" mean to you? Participants must answer the question in six words. OSU students have the chance to win one of five $200 scholarships. 

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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