Constitution Day aka “Citizenship Day” and “I Am an American Day” on September 17th

Constitution Day and Citizenship Day are observed on September 17th because on that date in 1787, Constitutional Convention delegates signed the US Constitution in Philadelphia.

History

• 1911 September 17th:  Iowa schools first recognized Constitution Day.
• 1917:  The Sons of the American Revolution promoted Constitution Day via a committee, which included Calvin Coolidge, John D. Rockefeller, and General John Pershing.
• 1939:  Public Relations professional Arthur Pine used a new song, “I Am an American,” to create an “I Am an American Day,” at the 1939 New York World’s Fair and for the City of New York.  The promotion was so successful that President Franklin Roosevelt made it an official day.
• 1940: US Congress designated the third Sunday in May as “I Am an American Day.”  US Immigration and Naturalization Service promoted it.  A short feature (16-minute film), “I Am an American,” was played in American theaters.
• 1949:  The Governors of all 48 states proclaimed Constitution Day.
• 1952 February 29th:  US Congress moved the “I Am an American Day” observation to September 17 and renamed it “Citizenship Day.”
• 1956 August 2:  President Dwight D. Eisenhower enacts Constitution Week (September 17 – 23) from a congressional resolution petitioned by the Daughters of the American Revolution.
• 2017 September 17:  President Donald Trump reaffirmed September 17, as Constitution Day and Citizenship Day.

Purpose

To promote study of the US Constitution

• Emphasize citizens’ responsibilities for protecting and defending the Constitution.
• Inform people that the Constitution is the basis for America’s great heritage and the foundation for our way of life.
• Encourage the study of the historical events which led to the framing of the Constitution in September 1787.

Observances

• Many naturalization ceremonies are held during Constitution Week (September 17 – 23).
•  Daughters of the American Revolution observe Constitution Week by
  • ringing bells at 4pm EST on Constitution Day (Sep 17th)
  • obtaining proclamations from public officials,
  • creating displays in schools, libraries, courthouses, and other public areas,
  • distributing copies of the Constitution, Preamble to the Constitution, and other patriotic literature, and other efforts to educate their community about the Constitution.
• Georgia College & State University in Milledgeville, Georgia, celebrates by having a student debate, a concert featuring music from Presidential campaigns, a keynote, a panel discussing recent Supreme Court cases, and discussions.