Constitution Day September 17
In working as an ASVAB tutor, I see the value in recognizing American holidays and anniversaries. Today, September 17, is Constitution Day. This day commemorates the formation and signing of the United States Constitution. It was signed by 39 men on September 17, 1787. The signing of the Constitution recognized all who are born in the United States or by naturalization have become citizens. Important people involved in the signing of the Constitution are known as the Founding Fathers. Among them were George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson and 35 others. This day celebrates the birthday of our United States government. In 1939, the newspaper publisher, Randolph William Heart suggested the creation of a holiday to celebrate American citizenship. In 1940,
Congress created, “I Am an American Day” to be celebrated on the third Sunday in May. On February 29, 1952, President Harry S. Truman signed into law “Citizenship Day” replacing “I am an American Day. On August 2, 1956, the congress requested that the president proclaim the week beginning September 17 and ending September 23 of each year as Constitutional Week.
Constitution Day became a national observance in 2004 after Congress passed a bill designating September 17 as the day for citizens to commemorate signing the United States Constitution.
