What is Constitution Day?

Constitution Day is an American federal holiday that recognizes the ratification of the United States Constitution. It is observed on September 17, the day the U.S. Constitutional Convention signed the Constitution in 1787. When Constitution Day falls on a weekend or on another holiday, schools and other institutions unofficially observe the holiday on an adjacent weekday.

The law establishing the holiday was created in 2004 and mandates that all publicly funded educational institutions provide educational programming on the history of the American Constitution on that day. UW's goal for Constitution Day is to act as the catalyst for discussion about the U.S. Constitution on campus and around the state.

National Resources About the Constitution

• Constitution of the United States
• The Bill of Rights
• Amendments 11-27
• Drafting and Ratification
• "The Founding Fathers"—Convention Delegates
• About the Federalist Papers
• The Federalist Papers
• Constitutional Q&A
• More Background