Happy Constitution Day! Constitution Day is celebrated each year on September 17th, the date the United States Constitution was signed in 1787. Arguably the most famous legal document in American history, the Constitution forms the basis of U.S. federal law. It outlines the three branches of the federal government, the relationships between the U.S. States, the process for amending the Constitution, and the rights of the citizens of this country.

You can read the full text of the Constitution and explanations of each article and amendment online at the Constitution Annotated, a project from the Library of Congress and the Congressional Research Service.

Events

There are several virtual events for Constitution Day if you would like to celebrate:

• Each year, the National Constitution Center holds a Naturalization Ceremony on Constitution Day for 50 newly-minted U.S. citizens. You can watch a Livestream of the event on Friday, September 16th, at 9:30 a.m. ET. Be sure to register in advance.
• The National Constitution Center is also hosting several discussions and lectures on constitutional law and American history. You can find a full list of the National Constitution Center's events on its website.
• You can virtually "sign" your name to the U.S. Constitution and find other online workshops and webinars about Constitution Day on the National Archives website.

Library Resources

The library has a wealth of e-books in our Digital Collection for anyone interested in learning more about the Constitution and constitutional law. You can access any of these titles with a current library account:

Why the Constitution Matters

First Amendment Stories

A Companion to the United States Constitution and Its Amendments

A Short and Happy Guide to Constitutional Law

Constitutional Analysis in a Nutshell

Constitutional Civil Rights in a Nutshell

Constitutional Law in a Nutshell

We'd be happy to help you locate additional resources or answer any questions you may have. Happy Constitution Day!