(PCM) It was on September 17, 1787 that the Founding Fathers of the United States of America signed the U.S. Constitution which has since served as the supreme law of the land. The Constitution, along with the Bill of Rights and other amendments, define our government and guarantee our rights as U.S. citizens. In celebrating both Citizenship Day and Constitution Day it is important to reflect on not only what it means to be a U.S. citizen, but also the rights and responsibilities that go along citizenship as well!
In the year 1940 it was originally proclaimed that Constitution Day and Citizenship Day would be celebrated on the third Sunday in the month of May and at the time it was called “I Am An American Day”. However, in 1952 a new law went into effect and both Constitution Day and Citizenship Day were moved the the current date of September 17th. It is urged that civil and educational authorities of states, counties, cities and towns to make plans for the proper observance of the day and “for the complete instruction of citizens in their responsibilities and opportunities as citizens of the United States and of the State and locality in which they reside.”
In 2004 an additional two requirements were added to the designation for this holiday which included that the head of every federal agency provide each employee with educational and training materials concerning the Constitution on September 17th. And the second is that each educational institution which receives Federal funds should hold a program for students every September 17th.
Is your school or workplace doing anything special to celebrate Citizenship Day or Constitution Day?