September 17
One September 17, 1787, the Founding Fathers signed the most influential document in American history, the U.S. Constitution.
Every year, the National Constitution Center hosts the best Constitution Day celebration in the country. We are the place to turn to help you commemorate this historic day while meeting your federal education requirements.
This year, our celebration will be completely online, so students and teachers can join us from anywhere for engaging, educational live programs and award-winning resources.
LIVE Online Programs:
Tune in all week long for engaging and interactive programs, featuring National Constitution Center scholars and other special guests!
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Join us on September 17 at 12 p.m. EDT for a conversation with Justice Gorsuch, who will speak about his career, the role of the judicial branch, and what it’s like to sit on the Supreme Court. National Constitution Center President and CEO Jeffrey Rosen will moderate the discussion.
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Additional Programs:
Scholar Exchanges on Constitution 101: The Constitutional Convention
Register for a Scholar Exchange this week to examine the issues and events that led to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in the summer of 1787, including the weakness of the Articles of Confederation, Shay’s Rebellion, and the growing need for a new national government. Students will also explore the Convention, and its major turning points and compromises—including the Connecticut Compromise, the Electoral College, the Three-Fifths Compromise, and the Slave Trade Clause.
LIVE Preamble Reading
September 17, 8:45 a.m. EDT
Live on the front law and streamed live on Zoom
View a special flag raising ceremony on Independence Mall, and then join in as National Constitution Center President and CEO Jeffrey Rosen leads a lively reading of the Constitution's preamble.
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Question and Answer Sessions – LIVE FROM OUR EXHIBITS
September 17 at 9 a.m. EDT (from Signers’ Hall) and 3 p.m. EDT (from the main exhibit)
Streamed on Zoom
We bring our museum to you this Constitution Day with LIVE question and answer sessions from our exhibits. Students can log on to ask our educators all of their biggest Constitution Day questions, and we’ll answer them live on Zoom! And don’t forget to follow @constitutionctr on social media all week for special video highlights of exhibits like Signers’ Hall, Civil War and Reconstruction, and the NEW The 19th Amendment: How Women Won the Vote!
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A Constitution Day Liberty Medal Ceremony
The National Constitution Center will award its 32nd annual Liberty Medal to the Honorable Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, for her efforts to advance liberty and equality for all. The National Constitution Center will honor Justice Ginsburg through a video tribute in words and music broadcast live on Thursday, September 17, 2020, Constitution Day.
The program, featuring performances by internationally renowned opera singers and tributes from special friends of Justice Ginsburg and produced by NBCUniversal, will debut on Thursday, September 17, at 6:30 p.m. EDT.
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Our FREE award-winning classroom resources are available year-round! You can get started on Constitution Day, and continue the constitutional learning all year long!
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Prepare for Constitution Day with a Scholar Exchange on the Foundations of American Democracy. Participating students will:
- Examine the form of government established by the Constitution
- Explore key constitutional ideas like natural rights, the rule of law, and popular sovereignty
- Learn how the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution set the foundations for American democracy
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Part lecture and part lively conversation, these sessions are open to the public so that students, teachers, and parents can join in a constitutional discussion with the Center's scholars.
Foundations of American Democracy
- Wednesday, September 9
- Middle School Session – 12 p.m. EDT
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Register here.
- High School and College Session – 2 p.m. EDT
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Register here.
- Friday, September 11
- All Ages Session – 1 p.m. EDT
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Register here.
You can access all sessions on Zoom using a home computer, tablet, or phone.
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These sessions include your class, a scholar, and a moderator—and are available on any of the topics previously discussed in a public Scholar Exchange. Private Scholar Exchanges are offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays at a time that works best for you and your students. Complete a survey here for more information or to register your class. A member of the education team will contact you to help with the planning process.
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Classroom Exchanges connect middle and high school students across the United States for virtual discussions about the Constitution. These sessions are moderated by National Constitution Center scholars, federal judges, and master teachers, but led by student voice. Participating teachers receive lesson plans on the content of the discussion and on civil dialogue techniques, as well as educational resources from the Center's Interactive Constitution.
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The National Constitution Center's education team is here to help with any of our online resources. Email [email protected] with questions or comments on how we can help you and your students with your remote learning needs.
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