America's most influential document, the Constitution, was signed on September 17th, 1787 by our Founding Fathers. Now every year on September 17th, we commemorate the signing of this document, which protects individual freedom, and the fundamental principles that govern the United States. The Constitution places the government's power into the hands of citizens, and through the structure of the Constitution, legislative, judicial, and executive branches are kept in check with one another.

To celebrate the day, we've put together important facts and activities to help you understand how the document relates to our world today including, why the Constitution is important, knowing your rights, the Liberty Medal Tribute to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and interactive online games! Complete the activities below and enter the raffle to win a prize*!

*One winner will be selected for each campus.

Why the Constitution Is Important

Have you heard of the Schoolhouse Rock? if you haven't seen this already, now's the time to watch this cartoon video! "The Preamble" by Schoolhouse Rock helps explain the purpose of the Constitution in a catchy way, but why is the Constitution still important today?

The Constitution:

Creates a government that puts the power in the hands of the people
Separates the powers of government into three branches: the legislative branch, which makes the laws; the executive branch, which executes the laws; and the judicial branch, which interprets the laws
Sets up a system of checks and balances that ensures no one branch has too much power
Divides power between the states and the federal government
Describes the purposes and duties of the government
Defines the scope and limit of government power
Prescribes the system for electing representatives
Establishes the process for the document’s ratification and amendment
Outlines many rights and freedoms of the people - like the right to vote, the right to protest, freedom of speech, and so many other human rights that are key in our political landscape today.

Honorable Sandra Day O’Connor, former associate justice of the Supreme Court, put it this way:

“What makes the Constitution worthy of our commitment? First and foremost, the answer is our freedom. It is, quite simply, the most powerful vision of freedom ever expressed. It’s also the world’s shortest and oldest national constitution, neither so rigid as to be stifling nor so malleable as to be devoid of meaning.

Our Constitution has been an inspiration that changed the trajectory of world history for the perpetual benefit of mankind. In 1787, no country in the world had ever allowed its citizens to select their own form of government, much less to select a democratic government. What was revolutionary when it was written, and what continues to inspire the world today, is that the Constitution put governance in the hands of the people.”

You can learn more about the Constitution, explore scholarly resources, and understand your rights as a citizen as deemed by this living document by visiting the National Constitution Center's Interactive Constitution website.

Games

Test your knowledge with games like "Do I Have A Right?", "Branches of Power" and more through free, interactive online games created by iCivics: https://www.icivics.org/games

Constitution Facts

https://www.rocketlawyer.com/family-and-personal/general-legal-matters/legal-guide/bet-you-didnt-know-these-10-facts-about-the-us-constitution

Know Your Rights!

Know your rights by carrying the Interactive Constitution (Links to an external site.) in your pocket.

The app version of the Interactive Constitution features a full analysis of the first 15 Amendments to the Constitution and the Articles, or Structural Constitution, from scholars representing different viewpoints. For each Amendment or Article, the scholars first agree on a Common Interpretation, and then they discuss Matters of Debate on each point.

To learn more and download the app, go to the following links in the App Store or Google Play:

Apple: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/interactive-constitution/id1147260877

Google: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.constitutioncenter.theinteractiveconstitution

2022 Liberty Medal Ceremony - Honoring Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy

On November 7, 2022, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will receive the Liberty Medal at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia during a live broadcast at 6 p.m PST. This 34th annual award will be given to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for his heroic defense of liberty in the face of Russian tyranny.

To learn more, visit the National Constitution Center's website and sign up for updates to join the broadcast on Monday, November 7, 2022, at 6:00 pm PST!

Upcoming Live Classes on the Constitution

The National Constitution Center will host the following public sessions to promote constitutional education, dialogue, and reflection. All sessions are also recorded and live streamed on their YouTube channel.

Constitutional Convention and Civil Dialogue - Wednesday, September 14 & Friday, September 16
Voting Rights and Elections - Tuesday, October 4 & Friday, October 7

Visit their website for more information and to register for the Zoom Webinars: https://constitutioncenter.org/education/live-online-events/upcoming-scholar-exchanges

Special Programs from National Constitutional Center

Preamble Reading

Friday, September 16 at 8:30 a.m. ET and encore at 2:30 p.m. ET

First Amendment Tablet Stage and LivestreamedHappy Constitution Day! Let’s read the Preamble to the Constitution together as We the People in front of the new inspiring First Amendment tablet overlooking Independence Mall

Register Here to View the 8:30 a.m. ET Reading Online
Register Here to View the 2:30 p.m. ET Reading Online

Virtual Walking Tour of Historic Philadelphia

Saturday, September 17 at 2:00 p.m. ET, Online Program

Register Here to View Online

Join members of the National Constitution Center's Education Team on a virtual walking tour of the historic sights and scenes of Old City Philadelphia. Located just steps from Independence Hall, where the Constitution was drafted and signed, the National Constitution Center sits within what has been called the nation's "most historic square mile." We'll visit some of the area's most significant sites including Arch Street Meeting House, the First and Second Banks of the United States, the President’s House, and others to see how these sites connect to both the nation's founding story and its ongoing constitutional conversation.

Constitution Day Raffle

Fill out the form below to enter the Constitution Day Raffle! One winner will be selected for each campus! (Last Day to enter: Monday 9/26/22)