Constitution Day: A Time to Reflect on Our Civic Duties and Rights

Constitution Day: A Time to Reflect on Our Civic Duties and Rights

Since 1940, Constitution Day has been recognized as a special occasion. That year, Congress allowed the President to announce an annual celebration on the third Sunday of May in honor of American citizenship. Initially named “Citizenship Day,” it was later renamed "I Am An American Day."

During World War II, President Roosevelt emphasized its importance, stating that understanding our government and our civic responsibilities is crucial during times of war.

In 1952, Congress reverted to the original name— “Citizenship Day”—and moved it to September 17th, aligning it with the anniversary of the Constitution's signing in 1787. This change aimed to enhance educational opportunities about citizenship while avoiding overlap with other patriotic observances like Memorial Day and Flag Day.

The law emphasized the importance of observing a specific day to educate citizens about their roles and opportunities within the United States and their local communities. In 1956, Congress initiated Constitution Week, starting on Citizenship Day, September 17, to inspire Americans to learn more about this foundational document.

Despite efforts during the Constitution’s bicentennial in 1987 to establish it as a federal holiday, success didn't come until 2004 when Senator Robert Byrd championed legislation designating September 17 as Constitution Day. By 2005, public schools and government offices were required to promote educational programs focused on understanding the Constitution.

In December 1952, the National Archives secured the original Constitution but celebrated its significance for the first time during Constitution Week in 1956. A key moment occurred on September 17, 1977, when twenty-nine individuals took their oaths of citizenship in the Rotunda.

Since then, countless new citizens have proudly recited their pledges near this historic document around September 17 each year.

Most recently, after a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19, twenty-five new citizens from twenty-one countries gathered for a naturalization ceremony on September 14, 2022. The Honorable Beryl A. Howell presided over this special event.

Roger Bennett, an England-born author and co-host of Men in Blazers who became a U.S. citizen in 2018, delivered an inspiring keynote address that resonated with all: “You are now part of ‘We, the People.’”

This year promises another celebration as more Americans join our collective legacy!

Elizabeth Kilbride is a Writer and Editor with forty years of experience in writing with 12 of those years in the online content sphere. Author of 5 books and a Graduate with an Associate of Arts from Phoenix University in Business Management, then a degree. Mass Communication and Cyber Analysis from Phoenix University, then on to Walden University for her master’s in criminology with emphasis on Cybercrime and Identity Theft, and is currently studying for her Ph.D. degree in Criminology. Her work portfolio includes coverage of politics, current affairs, elections, history, and true crime. In her spare time, Elizabeth is also a gourmet cook, life coach, and avid artist, proficient in watercolor, acrylic, oil, pen and ink, Gouche, and pastels. As a political operative having worked on over 300 campaigns during her career, Elizabeth has turned many life events into books and movie scripts while using history to weave interesting storylines. She also runs 6 blogs that range from art to life coaching, to food, to writing, and opinion or history pieces each week.