Constitution Day, Citicenship Day, or I am an America Day

Last modified: November 6, 2025

Constitution Day US

The anniversary of the day that the US Constitution was written and signed by 39 delegates is called Constitution Day.

By law, in the public American educational system, teachers must set aside time to teach about the Constitution.

The signing of the US Constitution

On September 17th, 1787, the United States Constitution was written and signed by 39 men at the Continental Congress. This was an event that changed America.

constitution day ceremony
On September 17, 2009, the National Museum of American History played host to a ceremony that welcomed 25 new American citizens.

Many years later, once the United States of America had become a thriving nation, patriotism was rampant. In the year 1939, William Randolph Hearst from New York City proposed that they declare a national holiday whereby all American citizens could celebrate their homeland.

Congress soon passed a law, and President Harry Truman in 1940 declared that a public holiday was to be held on the third Sunday in May and was dubbed the “I am an American Day.”

Citizenship and Olga T. Weber

The American population embraced it wholeheartedly. Olga T. Weber from Louisville, Ohio, decided that such a special day should be celebrated on September 17th, the day the Constitution was written. I am an American Day was renamed Citizenship Day.

It is an annual day of observance, unlike federal holidays such as Independence Day, Veterans’ Day, or Juneteenth.

constitution day
In Washington, D.C., Senator William E. Borah delivered the principal speech at Constitution Hall to mark the opening celebration of Constitution Day. 17th September 1937

First, she made it so in her home state, then hightailed it to the Supreme Court to make her demands known. Since 1953, Citizenship Day has been called Constitution Day and held on September 17th each year.

Finally, in 2005, Constitution Day was renamed as Constitution and Citizenship Day. President Donald Trump confirmed this date and name in 2017.

calendar showing 17th September
Constitution Day is celebrated on 17th September each year to remember the signing of the US Constitution.

“The Constitution that I interpret and apply is not living, but dead, or as I prefer to call it, enduring. It means, today, not what current society, much less the court, thinks it ought to mean, but what it meant when it was adopted.”

– Judge Antonin Scalia.

Watch the film “I am an American”:

Picture of Edward Savey

Edward Savey

Edward Savey holds a Bachelor's degree in Political Science from the University of Georgia and a Master's degree in Public Administration with a focus on constitutional law from Georgetown University. He launched constitutionUS.com as its editor, striving to make complex constitutional topics accessible to the public.

One Response

  1. ” …It was soon passed by Congress and President Harry Truman in 1940…”

    This portion of Line 6 of “In The Beginning” is in error, I believe. Vice President Truman became President upon President Roosevelt’s death in 1945.

    In any event, thank you for posting our nation’s founding document. I refer to your site often…

    Reply

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