Constitution Day
September 17, 2024
Written in 1787, ratified in 1788, and in operation since 1789, the United States Constitution is the world's longest surviving written charter of government. Its first three words—"We the People"—affirm that the government of the United States exists to serve its citizens.
To encourage all Americans to learn more about the Constitution, Congress in 1956 established Constitution Week, to begin each year on September 17. This day commemorates the signing of the U.S. Constitution on September 17, 1787.
In honor of Constitution Day, The Office of Financial Aid has provided a variety of information and resources to help our University of Chicago campus community learn, participate, and reflect on the importance of the Constitution and its impact on all U.S. citizens. Written in 1787, ratified in 1788, and in operation since 1789, the United States Constitution is the world's longest surviving written charter of government. Its first three words—"We the People"—affirm that the government of the United States exists to serve its citizens.
Did You Know?
The U.S. Constitution was prepared in secret, behind locked doors that were guarded by sentries.
George Washington was unanimously chosen to preside over the Constitutional Convention.
The Constitutional Convention was not convened with the intention of writing a Constitution; delegates met with the plan to revise the Articles of Confederation but later decided that an entirely new document was needed.
Two of America’s Founding Fathers did not sign the Constitution. Thomas Jefferson was representing his country in France and John Adams was doing the same in Great Britain.
Some of the original framers and many delegates in the state ratifying conventions were very troubled that the original Constitution lacked a description of individual rights. In 1791, Americans added a list of rights to the Constitution. The first ten amendments became known as The Bill of Rights.
The Constitution is comprised of a preamble, 7 articles, and 27 amendments
*More than 11,000 amendments have been introduced in Congress. 33 have gone to the states to be ratified, and 27 have received the necessary approval from the states to actually become amendments to the Constitution.
Only one Amendment to the Constitution has been repealed—the 18th (Prohibition).
Established on November 26, 1789, the first national “Thanksgiving Day” was originally created by George Washington as a way of “giving thanks” for the Constitution.
Additional Constitution Resources
Livestream: Civic Stories with Justice Neil M. Gorsuch from the National Constitution Center
Tuesday, September 17, 2024 - 10:00 a.m. CST
Podcast: Live at the National Constitution Center
UChicago: David Currie Reads the U.S. Constitution
National Constitution Center: Interactive Constitution
Library of Congress: Continental Congress and the Constitutional Convention
Sources:
https://constitutioncenter.org/media/files/FINAL_Preamble_Challenge_Lesson_Plan_.pdf
https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/constitution-q-and-a
https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/sis/resources/fun-facts/constitution-day.html#:~:text=On%20February%2029%2C%201952%2C%20Congress,That's%20right!
https://www.aclupa.org/en/news/happy-national-constitution-day-what-do-you-know-about-us-constitution
https://www.senate.gov/about/origins-foundations/senate-and-constitution/constitution-day.htm