Holiday in the US
Constitution Day
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Official name
| Constitution Day and Citizenship Day
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Observed by
| United States
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Celebrations
| Constitution Day and Citizenship Day commemorate the formation and signing on September 17, 1787, of the Constitution and recognize all who, by coming of age or by naturalization, have become citizens.
[1]
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Date
| September 17
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Frequency
| Annual
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Related to
| I am an American Day
Constitution Week
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Constitution Day
(or
Citizenship Day
) is an
American
federal
observance
that recognizes the adoption of the
United States Constitution
and those who have become U.S. citizens. It is normally observed on September 17, the day in 1787 that delegates to the
Constitutional Convention
signed the document in
Philadelphia
.
[1]
When Constitution Day falls on a weekend or on another holiday, schools and other institutions observe the holiday on an adjacent weekday.
[2]
The law establishing the present holiday was created in 2004 with the passage of an amendment by Senator
Robert Byrd
to the
omnibus spending bill
of 2004.
[3]
Before this law was enacted, the holiday was known as "Citizenship Day" and celebrated on the third Sunday in May. In addition to renaming the holiday "Constitution Day and Citizenship Day," the act mandates that all publicly funded educational institutions, and all federal agencies, provide educational programming on the history of the American Constitution on that day.
[4]
In May 2005, the
United States Department of Education
announced the enactment of this law and that it would apply to any school receiving federal funds of any kind.
[2]
History
[
edit
]
Origins
[
edit
]
Iowa schools first recognized Constitution Day in 1911.
[5]
In 1917, the
Sons of the American Revolution
formed a committee to promote Constitution Day. The committee included members such as
Calvin Coolidge
,
John D. Rockefeller
, and General
John Pershing
.
[5]
I am an American Day
[
edit
]
This day was inspired by
Arthur Pine
, the head of a publicity-public relations firm in New York City bearing his name. At the New York World's Fair, the writers of a new song called "I am an American" brought their manuscript to the attention of Arthur Pine who handled publicity for the band leader, Gray Gordon, and a music publisher. Arthur Pine had the song introduced on NBC, Mutual, and ABC by the orchestra leader, arranged for an "I am an American Day" at the
1939 New York World's Fair
, and had a local New York newspaper tie-in with "I am an American Day" in the city. The promotion proved so successful that a newspaper chain promoted "I am an American Day" on a nationwide basis and had
President Roosevelt
name it as an official day.
[6]
In 1939,
William Randolph Hearst
advocated, through his chain of daily newspapers, the creation of a holiday to celebrate citizenship.
[
citation needed
]
In 1940,
Congress
designated the third Sunday in May as "I am an American Day." In 1944 "I am an American Day" was promoted through the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service.
[7]
A 16-minute film,
I Am an American
, was featured in American theaters as a short feature.
[8]
In 1947
Hearst Newsreels
featured the event on
News of the Day
.
[9]
By 1949, governors of all 48 states had issued Constitution Day proclamations.
[5]
On February 29, 1952, Congress moved the "I am an American Day" observation to September 17 and renamed it
"Citizenship Day"
.
[10]
[11]
Louisville, Ohio ? the Constitution Town
[
edit
]
Louisville, Ohio
, calls itself "Constitution Town", and credits one of its own for getting the holiday national recognition. In 1952, resident
Olga T. Weber
petitioned municipal officials to establish Constitution Day, in honor of the creation of the US Constitution in 1787. Mayor Gerald A. Romary proclaimed September 17, 1952, as Constitution Day in the city. The following April, Weber requested that the Ohio General Assembly proclaim September 17 as statewide Constitution Day. Her request was signed into law by Governor
Frank J. Lausche
. In August 1953, she took her case to the United States Senate, which passed a resolution designating September 17?23 as Constitution Week. The Senate and House approved her request and it was signed into law by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. On April 15, 1957, the City Council of Louisville declared the city Constitution Town. The Ohio State Archaeological and Historical Society later donated four historical markers, located at the four main entrances to the city, explaining Louisville's role as originator of Constitution Day.
[12]
First U.S. Congressional designation of Citizenship Day
[
edit
]
Mrs. A.B. (Clara) Vajda, a Hungarian immigrant to the United States, was recognized in the U.S. Congressional Record as the Founder of Citizenship Day on March 27, 1941.
[13]
In his remarks, Rep. Wasielewski noted "...on May 3, 1940, the President of the United States approved a joint resolution of both Houses of Congress, setting aside the third Sunday of May of each year as Citizenship Day. The purpose of this Act was to give recognition to all those who, by coming of age or naturalization, have attained the status of citizenship...I wonder how many people in this country really know the true story of the origin of this day. I wonder how many people know that a simple act of charity of a foreign-born citizen was the motivating spark which has set in motion this movement to teach all citizens to appreciate the great honor and privilege which has been bestowed upon them when they assume their sovereign rights of citizenship."
[
citation needed
]
Reaffirmation
[
edit
]
President
Donald Trump
reaffirmed
on September 17, 2017, as
Constitution Day
and
Citizenship Day
.
[14]
[15]
[16]
See also
[
edit
]
References
[
edit
]
- ^
a
b
36 U.S.C.
§ 106
,
Constitution Day and Citizenship Day
- ^
a
b
"Notice of Implementation of Constitution Day and Citizenship Day on September 17 of Each Year"
. United States Department of Education. May 24, 2005
. Retrieved
March 13,
2021
.
- ^
Krache, Donna (September 16, 2005).
"Constitution Day ushers in mandate to teach the Constitution"
. CNN
. Retrieved
August 12,
2008
.
- ^
Miscellaneous Appropriations and Offsets Act, 2005,
Pub. L.
Tooltip Public Law (United States)
108?447 (text)
(PDF)
, Division J, Title I, § 111, 118
Stat.
2809
, 3345, enacted December 8, 2004.
- ^
a
b
c
Williams, Winston C., ed. (1991).
Centennial History of the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution 1889?1989
. Paducah, KY: Turner Publishing Company. p. 9.
ISBN
9781563110283
. Retrieved
January 15,
2011
.
- ^
Pine, Martin (June 28, 1948).
"
'American Day' Origin"
(PDF)
. Open Mike.
Broadcasting
: 16.
ISSN
0007-2028
.
- ^
See:
- Harrington, Burritt C. (1944).
Community Recognition of USA Citizenship: A Handbook for I am an American Day Committees
. Washington, DC: Department of Justice, Immigration and Naturalization Service.
OCLC
291344729
.
- Evans, Lillian (1944). "Talk on: 'I am an American Day'
". New York: Pershing Square Information Center.
LCCN
44-40824
.
OCLC
44675594
.
- Biddle, Francis
(May 21, 1944).
I am an American
(Transcript). Cincinnati, OH: WLW [radio station]. p. 11.
OCLC
44635911
.
- Morgan, Dennis
(1944).
I am an American
.
Warner Brothers
.
OCLC
79769249
.
Black and white film with Morgan speaking to an I am an American Day gathering.
- Lest we forget. 8th series, Program no, 13, Our nation's shrines. Special program 1944, I am an American
(Sound recording). New York: Institute of Oral and Visual Education; Federal Transcribed Programs. 1944.
OCLC
317879010
.
- Also see:
Farber, William O.
(1942).
'I am an American Day' in South Dakota
. Vermillion, SD: University of South Dakota.
LCCN
83224435
.
- ^
I Am an American
was produced by
Gordon Hollingshead
, written and directed by
Crane Wilbur
, and featured
Humphrey Bogart
,
Gary Gray
,
Gordon Hart
,
Dick Haymes
,
Danny Kaye
,
Joan Leslie
,
Mary Lee Moody
,
Dennis Morgan
,
Knute Rockne
, and
Jay Silverheels
. See:
I Am An American
at the
TCM Movie Database
and
I Am an American
at
IMDb
.
- ^
"
'I am an American' ? nation hails new citizens!".
News of the Day
. Vol. 18, no. 274.
OCLC
422967279
.
- ^
Edwards, Anne
(1987).
Early Reagan: The Rise to Power
.
William Morrow and Company
. p.
267
.
ISBN
9780688060503
.
- ^
"The importance of Citizenship Day"
.
Chicago Sun-Times
. September 12, 2006. Archived from
the original
on May 15, 2013.
- ^
"History of Louisville Ohio"
. Archived from
the original
on August 3, 2008
. Retrieved
August 12,
2008
.
- ^
Congressional Record, H1941, Appendix to the Congressional Record, p. A1473, Extension of Remarks of Hon. Thad F. Wasielewski of Wisconsin, March 27, 1941, RE: Citizenship Day
- ^
Office of the Press Secretary
(September 15, 2017).
"President Donald J. Trump Proclaims September 17, 2017, as Constitution Day and Citizenship Day, and September 17, 2017, through September 23, 2017, as Constitution Week"
.
whitehouse.gov
.
Washington, D.C.
Retrieved
September 27,
2017
– via
National Archives
.
- ^
United States Citizenship and Immigration Services Staff (September 14, 2017).
"Celebrating Constitution Day and Citizenship Day (Constitution Week) 2017 with Naturalization Ceremonies"
.
United States Citizenship and Immigration Services
.
Washington, D.C.
:
United States Government
. Retrieved
September 27,
2017
.
- ^
"Constitution Day, Citizenship Day, and Constitution Week, 2017"
.
Federal Register
.
Washington, D.C.
:
National Archives and Records Administration
. September 13, 2017. Archived from
the original
on September 21, 2017
. Retrieved
September 27,
2017
.
Alt URL
Further reading
[
edit
]
- Haverty-Stacke, Donna T. (2009). "World War II and Public Reflections of Americanism'".
America's Forgotten Holiday: May Day and Nationalism, 1867?1960
. New York: New York University.
pp. 182?192
.
ISBN
978-0814737057
External links
[
edit
]
Online lessons for K-12 teachers to use on Constitution Day
[
edit
]
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Articles
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Amendments
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Formation
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Clauses
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Interpretation
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Signatories
| Convention President
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New Hampshire
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Massachusetts
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Connecticut
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New York
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New Jersey
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Pennsylvania
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Delaware
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Maryland
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Virginia
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North Carolina
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South Carolina
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Georgia
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Convention Secretary
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Related
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Display
and legacy
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Holidays, observances, and celebrations in the United States
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January
| |
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January?February
| |
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February
American Heart Month
Black History Month
|
- Birthday of Luis Munoz Marin
(PR)
- Candlemas
(religious)
- Charles Darwin Day / Darwin Day
(CA, DE)
- Day of Remembrance
(CA, OR, WA, cultural)
- Georgia Day
(GA)
- Groundhog Day
- Imbolc
(religious)
- Lincoln's Birthday
(CA, CT, IL, IN, MO, NY, WV)
- National Girls and Women in Sports Day
- National Freedom Day
(36)
- Nirvana Day
(religious)
- Presentation of Our Lord to the Temple
(religious)
- Promised Reformer Day
(religious)
- Ronald Reagan Day
(CA)
- Rosa Parks Day
(CA, MO)
- Saviours' Day
(religious)
- Susan B. Anthony Day
(CA, FL, NY, WI, WV, proposed federal)
- Tu B’shvat
(religious)
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February?March
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March
Irish-American Heritage Month
Colon Cancer Awareness Month
Women's History Month
|
- Annunciation of the Virgin Mary / Annunciation of the Theotokos
(religious)
- Casimir Pulaski Day
(IL)
- Cesar Chavez Day
(CA, CO, TX, proposed federal)
- Emancipation Day in Puerto Rico
(PR, cultural)
- Evacuation Day
(Suffolk County, MA)
- Harriet Tubman Day
(NY)
- Hola Mohalla
(religious)
- Holi
(NY, religious)
- L. Ron Hubbard's Birthday
(religious)
- Lailat al-Mi'raj
(religious)
- Liberation and Freedom Day
(Charlottesville, VA, cultural)
- Mardi Gras
(AL (in two counties), LA)
- Maryland Day
(MD)
- Medal of Honor Day
- National Poison Prevention Week
(week)
- Nowruz
(cultural, religious)
- Ostara
(religious)
- Pi Day
- Prince Jonah K?hi? Kalaniana?ole Day
(HI)
- Promised Messiah Day
(religious)
- Saint Joseph's Day
(religious)
- Seward's Day
(AK)
- Texas Independence Day
(TX)
- Town Meeting Day
(VT)
- Transfer Day
(VI)
- Trans Day of Visibility
(cultural)
|
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March?April
|
- Good Friday
(CT, NC, PR, NJ, VI, religious)
- Hanuman Jayanti
(religious)
- Holy Thursday
(PR, VI, religious)
- Holy Week
(PR, religious, week)
- Lazarus Saturday
(religious)
- Mahavir Janma Kalyanak
(religious)
- Mesha Sankranti / Hindu New Year
(religious)
- Palm Sunday
(PR, religious)
- Passover
(religious, week)
- Easter Monday / Bright Monday
(VI, religious)
- Ramnavami
(religious)
- Chandramana Uugadi / Souramana Uugadi
(religious)
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April
Arab American Heritage Month
Confederate History Month
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May
Asian American and
Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Jewish American Heritage Month
Military Appreciation Month
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June
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and
Transgender Pride Month
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July
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July?August
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August
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September
Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
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September?October
Hispanic Heritage Month
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October
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Disability Employment Awareness Month
Italian-American Heritage and Culture Month
Filipino American History Month
LGBT History Month
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October?November
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November
Native American Indian Heritage Month
|
- Ascension of ‘Abdu’l Baha
(religious)
- All Saints' Day
(religious)
- Beginning of the Nativity Fast
(religious)
- Beltane
/
Samhain
(religious)
- Barack Obama Day in Alabama
(Perry County, AL)
- D. Hamilton Jackson Day
(VI)
- Day after Thanksgiving
(24)
- Day of the Covenant
(religious)
- Discovery of Puerto Rico Day
(PR)
- Election Day
(CA, DE, HI, KY, MT, NJ, NY, OH, PR, VA, WV, proposed federal)
- Family Day
(NV)
- Guru Nanak Gurpurab
(religious)
- Hanukkah
(religious)
- L? K??oko?a
(HI, unofficial, cultural)
- Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur
(religious)
- Native American Heritage Day
(MD, WA, cultural)
- Presentation of the Theotokos to the Temple
(religious)
- Trans Day of Remembrance
(cultural)
- Unthanksgiving Day
(cultural)
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December
|
- Advent Sunday
(religious)
- Alabama Day
(AL)
- Birthday of Guru Gobind Singh Sahib
(religious)
- Bodhi Day
(religious)
- Chalica
(religious)
- Christmas Eve
(KY, NC, SC, PR, VI)
- Day after Christmas
(KY, NC, SC, TX, VI)
- Festivus
- HumanLight
- Hanukkah
(religious, week)
- Immaculate Conception
(religious)
- Indiana Day
(IN)
- Kwanzaa
(cultural, week)
- Milad Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin
(religious)
- National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
(36)
- Nativity of Jesus
(religious)
- Old Year's Night
(VI)
- Pan American Aviation Day
(36)
- Pancha Ganapati
(religious, week)
- Rosa Parks Day
(OH, OR)
- Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
(religious)
- Wright Brothers Day
(36)
- Yule
(religious)
- Zartosht No-Diso
(religious)
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Varies (year round)
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