Constitution Day (or Citizenship Day), is an

American American(s) may refer to: * American, something of, from, or related to the United States of America, commonly known as the "United States" or "America" ** Americans, citizens and nationals of the United States of America ** American ancestry, pe ...

federal

observance Observance may refer to: * Holiday, day(s) of observance * Anniversary, the date on which an event took place or an institution was founded in a previous year, and may also refer to the commemoration or celebration of that event * List of minor s ...

that recognizes the adoption of the

United States Constitution The Constitution of the United States is the Supremacy Clause, supreme law of the United States, United States of America. It superseded the Articles of Confederation, the nation's first constitution, in 1789. Originally comprising seven ar ...

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 Constitutional convention may refer to: * Constitutional convention (political custom), an informal and uncodified procedural agreement *Constitutional convention (political meeting), a meeting of delegates to adopt a new constitution or revise an e ...

signed the document in Philadelphia., ''Constitution Day and Citizenship Day'' When Constitution Day falls on a weekend or on another holiday, schools and other institutions observe the holiday on an adjacent weekday. The law establishing the present holiday was created in 2004 with the passage of an amendment by Senator Robert Byrd to the Omnibus spending bill of 2004. Before this law was enacted, the holiday was known as "Citizenship Day" and celebrated on the third Sunday in May. In addition to renaming the holiday "Constitution Day and Citizenship Day," the act mandates that all publicly funded educational institutions, and all federal agencies, provide educational programming on the history of the American Constitution on that day. 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.

History

Origins

Iowa schools first recognized Constitution Day in 1911. In 1917, the Sons of the American Revolution formed a committee to promote Constitution Day. The committee included members such as

Calvin Coolidge Calvin Coolidge (born John Calvin Coolidge Jr.; ; July 4, 1872January 5, 1933) was the 30th president of the United States from 1923 to 1929. Born in Vermont, Coolidge was a History of the Republican Party (United States), Republican lawyer ...

, John D. Rockefeller, and General John Pershing.

I am an American Day

This day was inspired by Arthur Pine, the head of a publicity-public relations firm in New York City bearing his name. At the New York World's Fair, the writers of a new song called "I am an American" brought their manuscript to the attention of Arthur Pine who handled publicity for the band leader, Gray Gordon, and a music publisher. Arthur Pine had the song introduced on NBC, Mutual, and ABC by the orchestra leader, arranged for an "I am an American Day" at the 1939 New York World's Fair, and had a local New York newspaper tie-in with "I am an American Day" in the city. The promotion proved so successful that a newspaper chain promoted "I am an American Day" on a nationwide basis and had Franklin D. Roosevelt, President Roosevelt name it as an official day. In 1939, William Randolph Hearst advocated, through his chain of daily newspapers, the creation of a holiday to celebrate citizenship. In 1940, Congress of the United States, Congress designated the third Sunday in May as "I am an American Day." In 1944 "I am an American Day" was promoted through the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service. A 16-minute film, ''I Am an American'', was featured in American theaters as a short feature. In 1947 Hearst Corporation, Hearst Newsreels featured the event on ''Hearst Metrotone News, News of the Day''. By 1949, governors of all 48 states had issued Constitution Day proclamations. On February 29, 1952, Congress moved the "I am an American Day" observation to September 17 and renamed it ''"Citizenship Day"''.

Louisville, Ohio – the Constitution Town

Louisville, Ohio, calls itself "Constitution Town", and credits one of its own for getting the holiday national recognition. In 1952, resident Olga T. Weber petitioned municipal officials to establish Constitution Day, in honor of the creation of the US Constitution in 1787. Mayor Gerald A. Romary proclaimed September 17, 1952, as Constitution Day in the city. The following April, Weber requested that the Ohio General Assembly proclaim September 17 as statewide Constitution Day. Her request was signed into law by Governor Frank J. Lausche. In August 1953, she took her case to the United States Senate, which passed a resolution designating September 17–23 as Constitution Week. The Senate and House approved her request and it was signed into law by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. On April 15, 1957, the City Council of Louisville declared the city Constitution Town. The Ohio State Archaeological and Historical Society later donated four historical markers, located at the four main entrances to the city, explaining Louisville's role as originator of Constitution Day.

First U.S. Congressional designation of Citizenship Day

Mrs. A.B. (Clara) Vajda, a Hungarian immigrant to the United States, was recognized in the U.S. Congressional Record as the Founder of Citizenship Day on March 27, 1941. In his remarks, Rep. Wasielewski noted "...on May 3, 1940, the President of the United States approved a joint resolution of both Houses of Congress, setting aside the third Sunday of May of each year as Citizenship Day. The purpose of this Act was to give recognition to all those who, by coming of age or naturalization, have attained the status of citizenship...I wonder how many people in this country really know the true story of the origin of this day. I wonder how many people know that a simple act of charity of a foreign-born citizen was the motivating spark which has set in motion this movement to teach all citizens to appreciate the great honor and privilege which has been bestowed upon them when they assume their sovereign rights of citizenship."

Observances

President of the United States, President Donald Trump Presidential proclamation, reaffirmed on September 17, 2017, as ''Constitution Day'' and ''Citizenship Day''.Alt URL
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References

External links

Explore quizzes, videos, games, and lessons for Constitution Day

U.S. Constitution & Citizenship Week at MSOE

Multiple related links on the U.S. Constitution and history of the United States from MSOE

Constitution Day resources for educators, federal employees, individuals, and parents

National Archives

National Constitution Center

The text of US CODE Title 36 § 106, describing Constitution Day and Citizenship Day
– Hosted by Cornell University Law School

– Hosted by FindLaw. Shows January 1994 US Code prior to amendment adding Constitution Day to this observance.
The text of H.R. 4818, adding Constitution Day and specifying educational requirements

Constitution Day History
– Hosted by FairVote, FairVote – Center for Voting and Democracy
US declaration font
unique font type based on United States Declaration of Independence

Online lessons for K-12 teachers to use on Constitution Day

Constitution Day Brought to You By The ACLU, Resources for Parents and Educators

Free quizzes, videos, and games for Constitution Day

Free Constitution Day resources for educators

Searchable, user-rated Constitution Day resources for educators

Education World Constitution Day Lesson Planning
– List of best web resources and links to online lessons

Lesson Plans and Resources

– Free downloadable lessons for K-12 educators to plan and implement celebration events. {{Authority control Public holidays in the United States United States flag flying days September observances Constitution days, United States Drafting of the United States Constitution Fall events in the United States