Posted in American History, Bill of Rights, Education, United States Constitution, United States History

Constitution Day and Citizenship Day

   September 17, 2015

Imagine what it must have been like two hundred and twenty-eight years ago when 55[1. no more than 46 delegates attended the Convention at one time.] men attended the Constitutional Convention at the Pennsylvania State House (Independence Hall) in Philadelphia.

As United States citizens, we already know what it is like today in Washington, D.C. when Congress meets and debate issues. It was not any different when the delegates from twelve[2. Rhode Island did not send a delegate.] colonies met in May 1787. The outcome of that Convention is what makes us the best country in the world.

Debating Over What is Right

The most intense debate took place over whether or not to include the Bill of Rights with the Constitution. The parties involved were the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists. The Federalists felt the Constitution’s language already stipulated what the government could do and if it was not explicitly stated in the document, then the federal government had no judgment over the people. The Anti-Federalists felt differently. They believed that without the inclusion of Bill of Rights in the Constitution the people would have little power over the federal government. The Federalists’ point of view won the debate.

William Samuel Johnson, Alexander Hamilton, Gouverneur Morris, James Madison, and Rufus King completed the final draft of the Constitution on September 12, 1787 and on September 17 the United States Constitution was signed by thirty-nine delegates. Those who did not sign[3. Those who did not sign the Constitution stemmed from leaving prior to the signing or falling ill. George Mason, Edmund J. Randolph and Elbridge Gerry refused to sign the document due to the omission of the Bill of Rights.] the Consitution were Oliver Ellsworth (CT), William Houston (GA), William L. Pierce (GA), Luther Martin (MD), John F. Mercer (MD), Elbridge Gerry (MA), Caleb Strong (MA), William R. Davie (NC), Alexander Martin (NC), George Mason (VA), James McClurg (VA), Edmund J. Randolph(VA), and George Wythe(VA).

Only nine states needed to ratify the Constitution in order for it to go into effect and that occurred on June 21, 1788 when the document was ratified by New Hampshire. On March 4, 1789, the United States Government, as we know it today, went into operation. The Bill of Rights with the first ten amendments were added to the United States Constitution on December 15, 1791.

Observing Constitution Day and Citizenship Day

In 1940, the U.S. Congress passed a joint resolution authorizing and requesting the President proclaim the third Sunday of May, be the day when everyone who acquired American citizenship be publicly recognized. The day was noted as “I Am An American Day.”

The joint resolution was repealed by Congress in 1952 and a new law was passed making September 17 the official day to commemorate “the formation and signing, on September 17, 1787, of the Constitution of the United States.” The law maintained its original purpose of recognizing U.S. citizenship.

The name of Day changed in 2004 when Senator Byrd urged Congress to designate the day “Constitution Day and Citizenship Day.” In addition to the name change there were two requirements, 1. “The head of every federal agency provide each employee with educational and training materials concerning the Constitution on September 17th. 2. Each educational institution which receives Federal funds should hold a program for students every September 17th.”

What you should know about the United States Constitution

As United States citizens, we should know what is in our Constitution and how many amendments there are. The following are a few questions for you to think about.

Author: Christine