2012 Constitution Day

Every year, Constitution Day is celebrated on September 17, the anniversary of the date the framers signed the document which serves as the supreme law of the United States.
Signed September 17, 1787, the U.S. Constitution is one of the world's oldest surviving constitutions.
With only 4,400 words, our Constitution is the oldest and shortest written constitution of any major government in the world. The framers of our Constitution likely could not have imagined that the document they wrote would have such lasting impact on not only the U.S. but on countries around the globe. Since its creation some two hundred years ago, over one hundred countries around the world have used it as a model for their own.
Today, the original document rests in the National Archives in Washington, DC. More than a million people view the Constitution each year, marveling at the forethought and flexibility written in a document that has stood the test of time and continues to be the foundation of our government.
This year, take time to reflect upon the Constitution and commit to honor the ideals set forth in that document. You might observe the day by reading about the Constitution, hosting a celebration or participating in our political process.
“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, ensure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, 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." — Preamble to the Constitution
Looking for more? Visit these sites for even more Constitution information.
- National Archives Website:
Contains a scan of the four pages of the original document and other excellent resources. - Library of Congress Website:
Contains a repository for Constitutional documents and information.
- National Constitution Center Website:
Contains resources including topics on Interactive Constitution, Fast Facts for Kids, and Perspectives on the Constitution. Also provides numerous classroom resources and a link for Government and Military Resources. - Civilian Personnel Management System Constitution Day Website
- Department of Education Constitution Site
- Celebrate the Birthday of Our United States of America Government
- ConstitutionFacts.com celebrates U.S. Constitution Day on September 17th of each year.
- Constitution Word Search puzzle generator
- WhiteHouse.gov - Kids Constitution site
- Education World's Constitution Day lesson planning article
- The National Archives - Charters of Freedom Constitution section
- Cornell University Law School - Constitution Overview
- A collection of photographs of the actual documents of the Constitution
- A complete online version of the Constitution
- Celebrate the Birthday of Our United States of America Government
- ConstitutionFacts.com celebrates U.S. Constitution Day on September 17th of each year.
- Complete online version of the Constitution
- WhiteHouse.gov - Kids Constitution site
- Congress for Kids - Writing the Constitution
- 8-12 grades: Cornell University Law School - Constitution Overview
- Kindergarten-3rd grade: The Constitution for Kids
- 4th-7th grade: The Constitution for Kids
- A collection of photographs of the actual documents of the Constitution
Get Involved!
Volunteering and joining community service initiatives is a great way to celebrate your citizenship.
You can use websites like VolunteerMatch.org to help find service opportunities in your local community or in the global community.
- Celebrate the Birthday of Our United States of America Government
- ConstitutionFacts.com celebrates U.S. Constitution Day on September 17th of each year.
- Complete online version of the Constitution
- Library of Congress - Primary Documents in American History
- The National Archives - Charters of Freedom Constitution section
- Cornell University Law School - Constitution Overview
- A collection of photographs of the actual documents of the Constitution
- Another complete online version of the Constitution





