Constitution Day 2023 (US): Date, History, Activities, Facts

Constitution Day 2023: Constitution Day, also known as Constitution and Citizenship Day, is observed on September 17 and honors the document that guarantees Americans their fundamental liberties. Since its ratification in 1787, the United States Constitution has served as the foundation for all federal laws.

In order to prevent the abuses of power they felt they were subjected to under the British monarchy, the Founding Fathers meticulously drafted the Constitution, distributing power among three branches of government. The Constitution defines the government’s powers, their limitations, and the citizens’ rights. In addition, it describes a procedure for making adjustments in the future.

Constitution Day on September 17 celebrates the governing principle behind the most resilient democratic government ever.

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DAY OF CONSTITUTION HISTORY

After the American Revolution liberated the colonies from British control, the Founding Fathers sought to ensure that the new government would not abuse its authority. At the Constitutional Convention of 1787, delegates from twelve of the thirteen new states drafted the document that would serve as the foundation for all future U.S. law.

The Constitution provides for three equal branches of government, creating a system known as “checks and balances.” Each branch has the ability to counteract the others. Those authorities not allotted to one of the three branches are delegated to the states.

Convention delegates had two alternatives for establishing the structure of the new legislative branch. Predictably, larger states supported the Virginia Plan, which called for population-based representation. The competing New Jersey Plan called for each state to have equal representation. The two-house solution known as the Great Compromise incorporates elements of both proposals and is still in effect.

In addition, the Constitution specifies the responsibilities and powers of the judicial and executive branches, the manner in which the President is elected, and other minute details.

The Founding Fathers understood that society evolves and that the Constitution would necessitate a mechanism for amending it. However, they wished to ensure that changes would necessitate the approval of a substantial number of states. To amend the Constitution, three-quarters of the states must ratify a proposed amendment.

In 1940, the President and Congress enacted a resolution establishing “I Am an American Day,” which is observed on the third Sunday of May. In 1952, the holiday was renamed to “Constitution Day” and shifted to September 17, the day in 1787 that the Constitution was signed. In 2004, more than fifty years later, Congress once again renamed the holiday Constitution Day and Citizenship Day.

DAY OF THE CONSTITUTION ACTIVITIES

Examining the Constitution

How well do you know our nation’s most vital document? If you answered “not very,” there are a number of resources available to help you read and comprehend the Constitution at your own pace.

felicitate an immigrant

Do you have any acquaintances who have passed the test to become naturalized citizens of the United States? Commend them on their accomplishment today.

Avail yourself of a “Pocket Constitution”

Did you know you can purchase portable, pocket-sized versions of the Constitution? Check with your local bookstore or school supply store, or purchase one online.

REMARKABLE FACTS ABOUT THE CONSTITUTION

Some of the most influential Founding Fathers never actually signed the document. Thomas Jefferson, for instance, was serving as ambassador to France in Paris.
In the list of signatories, Pennsylvania is spelled with a single ‘n.’
Minority groups have acquired the right to vote through subsequent amendments because the Constitution did not specify who is eligible to vote.
Only 27 of 11,600 proposed amendments have been ratified, rendering the probability of an amendment’s passage 0.23%, or 0.
The aging statesman’s failing health required him to be carried to and from Convention meetings, and he required assistance signing the document.