Constitution Day Honors America’s Founding Document

September 17 marks Constitution Day, also known as Constitution and Citizenship Day, a national observance honoring the signing of the U.S. Constitution in 1787. The historic document, drafted by delegates at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, has served as the foundation of American law and government for more than two centuries.

The Founding Fathers created the Constitution to guard against the abuses of power they had endured under British rule. By dividing authority among three branches of government — legislative, executive, and judicial — they established a system of “checks and balances” designed to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful. The Constitution also reserved powers not delegated to the federal government for the states.

Delegates to the Constitutional Convention faced the challenge of how states would be represented in the new Congress. The Virginia Plan called for representation based on population, while the New Jersey Plan sought equal representation for all states. The resulting “Great Compromise” created a two-house legislature, with the House of Representatives based on population and the Senate granting equal representation to each state — a framework still in place today.

Beyond establishing the branches of government, the Constitution outlines the election of the President, the role of the judiciary, and the powers and limits of federal authority. Recognizing that future generations would face new challenges, the Founders included an amendment process requiring approval from three-fourths of the states — a safeguard ensuring that changes reflect broad consensus.

The holiday itself has evolved over time. In 1940, Congress established “I Am an American Day,” observed each May. Twelve years later, the observance was moved to September 17 and renamed Constitution Day. In 2004, Congress officially changed the title to Constitution Day and Citizenship Day, reflecting both the importance of the document and the responsibilities of American citizenship.

Today, schools, communities, and government institutions across the country use the day to reflect on the rights and freedoms guaranteed under the Constitution, and to honor the enduring framework of democracy signed more than 230 years ago.

Link to text of the US Constitution:

https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/constitution-transcript