Constitution Day Information

Background

Senator Robert C. Byrd, a West Virginia Democrat and the United States Congress unofficial constitutional scholar, believes that the American primary, secondary, and post-secondary students need to have knowledge regarding the United States Constitution. Senator Byrd offered an amendment in December 2004 in an attempt to increase knowledge about the constitution.

All institutions that receive federal funds are required to provide educational programs relating to the United States Constitution annually on September 17. September 17 was selected for the celebration because the delegates to the Constitutional Convention met for the last time to sign the United States Constitution and present it to the American people on September 17, 1787.

Web Resources

Here are some great online resources about the Constitution:

• The National Constitution Center offers an Internet portal with links to a variety of Constitution Day resources
• The National Constitution Center also provides an online Interactive Constitution
• The National Archives provides an online feature about the Constitution, as well as biographical sketches of the 39 signers of the Constitution