What is Constitution Day?
The United States Government has designated September 17th as Constitution Day and Citizenship Day (also referred to as Constitution Day). To commemorate the September 17, 1787 signing of the U.S. Constitution, most years Constitution Day will be celebrated on September 17th. If September 17th falls on a Saturday, Sunday or holiday, your college may celebrate Constitution Day during the preceding or following week.
To help students, like you, become well-informed citizens through an awareness of and familiarity with the U.S. Constitution, colleges across Illinois and the U.S. may celebrate Constitution Day in their own unique ways.
How Can I Learn About the U.S. Constitution?
The following links to resources about the U.S. Constitution are for your use, to supplement information and activities provided by your college. While the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) or SIUE does not endorse any of these programs or websites, you may find them useful as you study our nation's Constitution.
Just the Facts (Links to Online Information)
- USConstitution.net
- The U.S. Constitution Online
- The Constitution Explained
- The Constitutional Dictionary (glossary of terms used in the Constitution)
- Gutenberg Project
- The Federalist Papers (written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay to explain the Constitution to the people of America, and to garner their support for it)
- The Library of Congress: Documents from the Continental Congress and the Constitutional Convention (1774 -1789)
- U.S. National Archives and Records Administration: scanned copy of the U.S. Constitution
- Archivos Nacionales y Administración de Documentos: Constitución de los Estados Unidos de América (Spanish translation)
- National Constitution Center
Learning More (Research and Study Aids)
- U.S. National Archives and Records Administration: nationwide network of research facilities that welcome students, including regional archives (located in Chicago, Illinois)
- Constitutional Rights Foundation: Foundations of Our Constitution (online lessons)
Bits and Pieces (Miscellaneous Information)
- Constitutional Principles: Representative Government (video from the Bill of Rights Institute)
- Constitutional Academy (from the Bill of Rights Institute)
