Citizenship Day

Constitution Day (or Citizenship Day) is an American federal
observance that recognizes the adoption of the United States
Constitution and those who have become U.S. citizens. It is observed
on September 17, the day the U.S. Constitutional Convention signed the
Constitution in 1787.[2]

The law establishing the holiday was created in 2004 with the passage
of an amendment by Senator Robert Byrd to the Omnibus spending bill of
2004.[3] Before this law was enacted, the holiday was known as
"Citizenship Day". In addition to renaming the holiday "Constitution
Day and Citizenship Day," the act mandates that all publicly funded
educational institutions provide educational programming on the
history of the American Constitution on that day.[4] In May 2005, the
United States Department of Education announced the enactment of this
law and that it would apply to any school receiving federal funds of
any kind.[5] This holiday is not observed by granting time off work
for federal employees.

When Constitution Day falls on a weekend or on another holiday,
schools and other institutions observe the holiday on an adjacent
weekday.[5] This was the case in 2005 and 2011, when Constitution Day
was generally observed on Friday, September 16[3] and 2006 when the
holiday was observed on Monday, September 18.

Universities and colleges nationwide have created "U.S. Constitution
and Citizenship Weeks" in order to meet the requirements of the law.
For example, the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) has created a
celebration week that includes "Constitution Trivia Contests",
distribution of free copies of the U.S. Constitution, a campus &
community fair (in which volunteer and community groups can share
information with students), a web page with facts and links related to
the Constitution and history of the United States. MSOE has also
distributed thousands of free "Presidential quote" t-shirts to all
students on campus.[6]

History
Iowa schools first recognized Constitution Day in 1911.[7] In 1917,
the Sons of the American Revolution formed a committee to promote
Constitution Day. The committee would include members such as Calvin
Coolidge, John D. Rockefeller, and General John Pershing.[7]

In 1939, William Randolph Hearst advocated, through his chain of daily
newspapers, the creation of a holiday to celebrate citizenship.
[citation needed] In 1940, Congress designated the third Sunday in May
as I am an American Day. By 1949, governors of all 48 states had
issued Constitution Day proclamations.[7] On February 29, 1952,
Congress moved that observation to September 17 and renamed it
"Citizenship Day".[8]

Louisville, Ohio, calls itself Constitution Town and credits one of
its own for getting the holiday national recognition. In 1952,
resident Olga T. Weber petitioned municipal officials to establish
Constitution Day, in honor of the creation of the US Constitution in
1787. Mayor Gerald A. Romary proclaimed September 17, 1952, as
Constitution Day in the city. The following April, Weber requested
that the Ohio General Assembly proclaim September 17 as state-wide
Constitution Day. Her request was signed into law by Governor Frank J.
Lausche. In August 1953, she took her case to the United States
Senate, which passed a resolution designating September 17–23 as
Constitution Week. The Senate and House approved her request and it
was signed into law by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. On April 15,
1957, the City Council of Louisville declared the city Constitution
Town. The Ohio State Archaeological and Historical Society later
donated four historical markers, located at the four main entrances to
the city, explaining Louisville's role as originator of Constitution
Day.[9]

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