Constitution Day and Citizenship Day - September 17th! 

This special day commemorates the signing of the Constitution on September 17, 1787, and “recognizes all who, by coming of age or by naturalization, have become citizens.”

Test your constitional knowledge with this fun quiz! Go further and consider promoting this day in your school using one of the following ideas.

Creative Ideas on ways to recognize Constitution Day and Citizenship Day from the United States Department of Defense

Since 2005, the Components within the Department of Defense have commemorated Constitution Day and Citizenship Day through a wide variety of meetings, activities, and programs. The following list provides examples of such activities.

1. Distribute pocket-sized copies of the Constitution - These small books could be given to all staff, or to new employees as part of their orientation materials. They can be ordered from the Government Printing Office, the National Archives, and other Federal offices.
2. Invite a local historian to present a talk on the Constitution - There may be many local scholars, especially from nearby community colleges and universities, who could lecture on the Constitution, the Founding Fathers, or other relevant topics.
3. Launch a public relations effort to promote Constitution Day and Citizenship Day - This action includes using multiple communication vehicles-web sites, memos, letters, articles in newsletters, posters, flyers, etc., to promote what Constitution Day and Citizenship Day means to Federal workers and their families. This effort could also include using Constitution Day/Citizenship Day posters and bookmarks, available to download and reproduce at: http://constitutionday.cpms.osd.mil/docs~SConstPoster.pdf, http://constitutionday.cpms.osd.mil/docs/Flver.pdf, and http://constitutionday.cpms.osd.mil/docs/Bookmark.pdf. Also, various wearable items, such as small ribbons, flags, and pendants would be appropriate promotion items.
4. Promote Constitution Day and Citizenship Day via entertainment-focused activities - These ideas may work in small group settings. Develop games such a Trivial Pursuit, Jeopardy, or Monopoly focused on the Constitution Day/Citizenship Day theme that could be both challenging and enjoyable. Actual prizes should be awarded to the winners. The questions from the online course could be used as examples.
5. Hold an essay contest - The essay contest could focus on Constitution-related themes or topics, e.g. "My favorite Founding Father," "Which is the most important Constitutional Amendment?," or "How would the Constitution have been drafted differently if there had been Founding Mothers included at the Constitutional Convention in 1776?" The value of essay contests is to encourage staff members to be creative and thoughtful in their viewpoints about the Constitution.
6. Provide access to computers for individuals without desktop computers - Facilities, especially those with multiple computers, such as libraries and education centers, would be a valuable resource to workers. Making computers readily available would encourage staff members to visit and take advantage of the learning opportunities available in the Constitution Day/Citizenship Day website.
7. Read or view books, videos, tapes dealing with the Constitution - In another section of this website, there is a list of available materials presented in other media, (e.g. books, DVDs, tapes, films) dealing with the U.S. Constitution. This action might include providing a list of suggested books, or holding assemblies to view materials on CDCD.
8. Organize field trips - The actual U.S. Constitution is housed and maintained at the National Archives and Records Administration in Washington D.C. The National Constitution Center is located in Philadelphia where the Founding Fathers convened to write the famous document. Throughout the country there are other historical sites with a natural link to the Constitution. Besides the educational value of these trips, there are other benefits to conducting DoD programs and activities, at these locations, such as a recreational activity, a working retreat, or a team building activity.
9. Promote Constitution Day and Citizenship Day also as a family activity - Employees should be encouraged to extend the commemoration beyond the workplace and share the materials and information with their family members.