1. Constitution Day September 17

2. How Constitution Day Came About 1940 - this day was known as “I Am an American Day” celebrated on the third Sunday of May. 1952 – The day is moved to September 17 th and the name is changed to Citizenship Day. 1955 – President Eisenhower proclaims the first Constitution Week.

3. How Constitution Day Came About 2004 – Renames Citizenship Day to Constitution Day and requires schools receiving federal funds to instruct students on the Constitution on September 17 th. 2005 – Congress decided that all schools must celebrate Constitution Day on September 17 th or the closest Monday if this day falls on a weekend.

4. Constitution Day Activities Constitution Day is observed each year on September 17 to commemorate the signing of the Constitution. The students will have an opportunity to hear General Colin Powell give a small speech on Constitution Day. General Colin Powell will ask the students to read along with him as he reads the Preamble to the Constitution. Please click for a preview of General Colin Powell.

5. Constitution Day Activities The students will read the Preamble of the Constitution along with General Colin Powell. Have a brief introduction of the three parts of the constitution in an Inspiration outline. Read and answer question on the Preamble of the U.S. Constitution. Work in cooperative groups to study the 6 basic ideas of the constitution and decide why the founding fathers thought this was important.

6. Constitution Day Activities Look at pictures of George Washington, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson and decide what characteristics or qualities they must have to become so famous. Use the computer to search the Library of Congress for pictures or copies of the original documents of this time period and compare them to what are documents of today would look like.

7. Signing of the Constitution