Recognizing Constitution Day

September 17 is designated as National Constitution Day in honor of the signing of the U.S. Constitution in September 1787. Also known as Constitution and Citizenship Day, the annual commemoration began in 2005 to encourage all Americans to learn more about the Constitution.

The Constitution protects the fundamental rights of U.S. citizens, including freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and the right to vote. It also separates the powers of government and includes checks and balances to ensure no one branch has more power.

Previously Congress established a Constitution Week that began each year on September 17, the date in 1787 when delegates to the Constitutional Convention signed the Constitution.  It was not ratified by the necessary nine states until 1788. The following year President George Washington created the first “Thanksgiving Day” as a way of giving thanks for the Constitution.

More than 11,000 amendments have been introduced in Congress, but only 27 have received the necessary approval from the states to become part of the Constitution.

To learn more about the Constitution, please visit the National Constitution Center.

To read the full document, please visit the National Archives.

For the Fourteenth Amendment, which addresses health care protections, please visit Congress’ annotated Constitution.

At Albany Medical College, Constitution and Citizenship Day will include a celebration of our colleagues and classmates who have recently become naturalized citizens. All are welcome to join at 2 p.m. at the MS College Pavilion.