Constitution Day

On September 17, 1787, the Founding Fathers signed the most influential document in American history, the United States Constitution. This document was designed to be a framework of our government and establish the rights and freedoms for us, its citizens.

This year, St. Philip’s College is hosting in-person activities at the MLK and Southwest Campuses to celebrate the observance!

Are you going to be on campus for Constitution Day?

On Tuesday, September 17, join the St. Philip’s College Government and Cybersecurity departments in Turbon 216 at 2 p.m. for a reading of the Constitution! All students, staff, and faculty are welcome to attend and enjoy cupcakes and receive a pocket-sized constitution to read along.

Looking for more?

September 18 at 11:00 A.M.-1:00 P.M. CST

Come by the MLK Turbon Student Center during Spirit Day to pick up pocket-sized Constitutions, and speak with the League of Women Voters about how to register to vote! We’ll also have a sample voting booth so you’ll know exactly what to expect when election day comes around!

September 25 at 11:00 A.M.-1:00 P.M. CST

We’re going to be at the Southwest Campus Library with the League of Women Voters, the sample voting booth, and handing out more pocket-sized Constitutions!

Interested in online events?

This year the National Archives and National Constitution Center are observing Constitution Day on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, and hosting online events for people all across the country to celebrate. Take a look at the event times below so you can register to watch them online!

Preamble Reading

September 17 at 9:00 A.M. ET

Happy Constitution Day! Join the staff of the National Constitution Center—plus some special guests—live from the museum’s front lawn, as we kick off the day with a reading of the Preamble to the Constitution.

Constitution Day Naturalization Ceremony

September 17 at 9:30 A.M. ET

Every September 17 we celebrate Constitution Day as well as Citizenship Day, a holiday meant to honor and celebrate the privileges and responsibilities of U.S. citizenship for both native-born and naturalized citizens. In recognition of this special observance, the National Constitution Center hosts an annual Naturalization Ceremony as part of our Constitution Day celebrations, during which 50 immigrants from across the globe will take the Oath of Allegiance to officially become citizens of the United States. The Honorable John R. Padova, senior judge of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, will preside over the ceremony. National Constitution Center President and CEO Jeffrey Rosen will offer remarks and MSNBC host and NCC Trustee Ali Velshi will give the keynote address.

Student Town Hall: Civic Stories with Justice Neil M. Gorsuch

September 17 at 11:15 A.M. ET

The Honorable Neil M. Gorsuch, associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court and NCC honorary co-chair, joins National Constitution Center President and CEO Jeffrey Rosen for a discussion on his new book, which focuses on the stories of ordinary Americans—from fishermen in Florida to families in Montana, to a young internet entrepreneur in Massachusetts and more—who have had to navigate the complexities of the nation’s legal system. Justice Gorsuch will also share with students interesting details from his career, the important role played by the judiciary, and what it’s like to serve on the Supreme Court of the United States.

A Conversation with Opal Lee: Juneteenth and the Constitution

September 17 at 12:00 P.M. ET

Students are invited to join Opal Lee—known as the “grandmother of Juneteenth” for her efforts to get the holiday federally recognized—for a special Constitution Day celebration exploring themes of freedom, equality, and storytelling. Together we will examine the debates over slavery at the Constitutional Convention, the role of the amendment process in abolishing slavery, and the many ways we can share the stories of the past. Students will have the opportunity to ask questions, share insights, and explore the connections between storytelling and history. Miss Opal will join the conversation to share her role in the establishment of Juneteenth as a national holiday and answer student questions. We’ll conclude our time together with a special activity analyzing the portrait of Opal Lee that hangs in the National Portrait Gallery.

Presented in partnership with the Annenberg Public Policy Center, National Portrait Gallery, and National Constitution Center.

Launch of Constitution 101 Student Course in Partnership With Khan Academy

September 17 at 1:00 P.M. ET

Join National Constitution Center President and CEO Jeffrey Rosen and Khan Academy founder Sal Khan for the launch of our Constitution 101 student course developed in partnership with the Khan Academy. This student-mastery course is designed to empower students with a deeper understanding of the Constitution and its impact on their lives. Moderated by Ohio high school educator Amy Elsass, this special Constitution Day event will feature questions from students from around the country and will explore the importance of civil dialogue and how to think like a constitutional scholar, as well as address timely constitutional questions related to student free speech, AI, and elections.