Take the online quiz to test your Constitutional knowledge.

The Constitution, written in 1787, is the main law in the United States. Every law established in this country must agree with it. The document contains about 7,000 words and can be read aloud in about 40 minutes! The 52-word preamble helps in the interpretation of the constitution. It explains why these rules were written. "We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America." The constitution explains how our U.S. government is to be run. It says that it should have three branches; the legislative, the executive and the judicial. Each branch has its own set of responsibilities. The legislature MAKES THE LAWS, the executive ENFORCES THE LAWS and the judicial EXPLAINS AND APPLIES THE LAWS. Clipart: Microsoft.com

Welcome to the LSU AgCenter Constitution Day and Citizenship Day Web page.

Constitution Day and Citizenship Day, observed each year on Sept. 17, commemorates the signing of the Constitution on Sept. 17, 1787, and “recognizes all who, by coming of age or by naturalization, have become citizens.”

This commemoration had its origin in 1940, when Congress passed a joint resolution authorizing and requesting the president to issue annually a proclamation setting aside the third Sunday in May for the public recognition of all who had attained the status of American citizenship. The designation for this day was “I Am an American Day.”

In 1952 Congress repealed this joint resolution and passed a new law moving the date to Sept. 17 to commemorate “the formation and signing, on September 17, 1787, of the Constitution of the United States.” But the day was designated “Citizenship Day” and also retained its original purpose of recognizing all those who had attained the status of American citizenship.

The law urged civil and educational authorities of states, parishes/counties, cities and towns to make plans for the proper observance of the day and “for the complete instruction of citizens in their responsibilities and opportunities as citizens of the United States and of the state and locality in which they reside.”

In 2004, Congress changed the designation of this day to “Constitution Day and Citizenship Day” and also added two additional provisions: first, that the head of each federal agency provide each new employee with educational and training materials concerning the Constitution and also provide such materials to every employee on Sept.17 of each year; and second, that each educational institution that receives federal funds hold an educational program on the Constitution for students on Sept. 17 each year.

National Constitution Day and Citizenship Day Links

A. Virtual Field Trip: Signing the Constitution:

http://constitutioncenter.org/ncc_progs_at_the_Center.aspx

Sept. 17, 2010, from 9 a.m. Classrooms around the country can join the National Constitution Center via live webcast for a special demonstration in Signers’ Hall about the signing of the Constitution. Participants will also learn more about the center’s new virtual field trip program. Educators can register to join the event on the Constitution Center’s website.

B. The National Constitution Center Resources

1. National Constitution Center: The National Constitution Center in historic Philadelphia is America's most interactive history museum. Located just two blocks from the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, it is the only museum devoted to the U.S. Constitution. To learn more about the U. S. Constitution, visit the interactive website:

http://ratify.constitutioncenter.org/constitution/index_no_flash.php

2. Constitution Day: The National Constitution Center offers new and exciting resources to engage students in the Constitution, current events and civic learning.

http://www.constitutionday.com/

3. The National Constitution Center’s online resources provide in-depth understanding of the Constitution and its relevance to citizens of every age. Help restore the Bill of Rights by playing the online Bill of Rights game.

http://www.constitutioncenter.org/BillOfRightsGame/Final.swf

Educational Resources provided by the: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)

4. Civics Flash Cards: The civics flash cards will help you learn about U.S. history and government.

http://www.uscis.gov/files/nativedocuments/M-623_red.pdf

5. Pocket Declaration of Independence and Constitution of the United States: The booklet contains the complete text of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States.

http://www.uscis.gov/files/nativedocuments/M-654.pdf

6. The Citizen's Almanac: The booklet includes information on patriotic anthems and symbols and rights and responsibilities of U.S. citizenship.

http://www.uscis.gov/files/nativedocuments/M-76.pdf

Creative Ideas on ways to recognize Constitution Day and Citizenship Day from the United States Department of Defense

Since 2005, the components within the Department of Defense have commemorated Constitution Day and Citizenship Day through a wide variety of meetings, activities and programs. The following list provides examples of such activities.

1. Distribute pocket-sized copies of the Constitution -- These small books could be given to all staff or to new employees as part of their orientation materials. They can be ordered from the Government Printing Office, the National Archives and other Federal offices.
2. Invite a local historian to present a talk on the Constitution -- There may be many local scholars, especially from nearby community colleges and universities, who could lecture on the Constitution, the Founding Fathers or other relevant topics.
3. Launch a public relations effort to promote Constitution Day and Citizenship Day -- This action includes using multiple communication vehicles -- websites, memos, letters, articles in newsletters, posters, flyers, etc. -- to promote what Constitution Day and Citizenship Day means to Federal workers and their families.
4. Promote Constitution Day and Citizenship Day via entertainment-focused activities -- These ideas may work in small group settings. Develop games such as Trivial Pursuit, Jeopardy or Monopoly focused on the Constitution Day/Citizenship Day theme that could be both challenging and enjoyable. Actual prizes should be awarded to the winners. The questions from the online course could be used as examples.
5. Hold an essay contest -- The essay contest could focus on Constitution-related themes or topics, e.g. "My favorite Founding Father," "Which is the most important Constitutional Amendment?," or "How would the Constitution have been drafted differently if there had been Founding Mothers included at the Constitutional Convention in 1776?" The value of essay contests is to encourage staff members to be creative and thoughtful in their viewpoints about the Constitution.
6. Provide access to computers for individuals without desktop computers -- Facilities, especially those with multiple computers, such as libraries and education centers, would be a valuable resource to workers. Making computers readily available would encourage staff members to visit and take advantage of the learning opportunities available in the Constitution Day/Citizenship Day website.
7. Read or view books, videos, tapes dealing with the Constitution -- Another section of this website includes a list of available materials presented in other media (e.g. books, DVDs, tapes, films) dealing with the U.S. Constitution. This action might include providing a list of suggested books or holding assemblies to view materials on CDCD.
8. Organize field trips -- The actual U.S. Constitution is housed and maintained at the National Archives and Records Administration in Washington D.C. The National Constitution Center is located in Philadelphia, where the Founding Fathers convened to write the famous document. Throughout the country there are other historical sites with a natural link to the Constitution. Besides the educational value of these trips, there are other benefits to conducting DoD programs and activities at these locations, such as a recreational activity, a working retreat or a team-building activity.
9. Promote Constitution Day and Citizenship Day also as a family activity -- Employees should be encouraged to extend the commemoration beyond the workplace and share the materials and information with their family members.