Constitution Day

Constitution Day

On September 17, 1787, the Founding Fathers signed the most influential document in American history, the United States Constitution. This document was designed to be a framework of our government and establish the rights and freedoms for us, its citizens.

This year, St. Philip’s College is hosting in-person activities at the MLK Campus on Wednesday, September, 13th, and at the Southwest Campus on Wednesday, September 20th.

See what is going on at the college?

• On Wednesday, September 13th, from 11 A.M.-1 P.M. come by the MLK Turbon Student Center during Spirit Day to pick up a pocket-sized Constitutions, learn more about your rights as a citizen, and speak with the League of Women Voters about how to register to vote so you can exercise your constitutional rights!
• On Wednesday, September 20th, from 11 A.M.-1 P.M., join us at Southwest Campus Library with the League of Women Voters as we hand out more pocket-sized Constitutions.

Want to Participate online? Join the SPC Arts and Sciences Department for their Constitution Day Discussions!

Friday, September 15 at 1:00 P.M. CST

St. Philip’s College will celebrate Constitution Day with speaker, Dr. Marcus E. Hendershot of UT Arlington. Dr. Hendershot will explore Robert Dahl’s writing on the Supreme Court.

All students, staff, and faculty are welcome to attend! The event will be via Zoom at https://alamo.zoom.us/j/92106238250 (Zoom ID: 921 0623 8250) from 1:00 P.M. to 2:00 P.M. Please drop by this amazing event and get some great information!

Interested in Learning More?

In 2023, on Monday, September 18th, the National Archives and National Constitution Center will commemorate Constitution Day. They will be organizing a series of virtual events accessible to individuals all around the nation. Please review the event schedule provided below to complete your online registration and partake in the celebrations!

Constitution Day Naturalization Ceremony

Monday, September 18 at 9:30 A.M. ET

Each September, we honor Constitution Day and Citizenship Day, celebrating the rights and duties of U.S. citizenship for both native-born and naturalized citizens. To mark this occasion, the National Constitution Center holds an annual Naturalization Ceremony as part of our festivities. During this event, 50 immigrants will take the Oath of Allegiance, becoming U.S. citizens. The ceremony will be overseen by Honorable John R. Padova, senior judge of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, with remarks from Jeffrey Rosen, President and CEO of the National Constitution Center.

• Register Here to View Online

Judges on Judging Event

Monday, September 18 at 11:00 A.M. ET

Joining the National Constitution Center's Constitution Day celebration, Judges Marjorie Rendell, Cheryl Ann Krause, and Stephanos Bibas from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit will discuss constitutional interpretation methods. Using historical First Amendment cases, they'll illustrate these approaches and also explain the role of federal appellate courts. Guiding the conversation, Jeffrey Rosen, President and CEO of the National Constitution Center, will moderate.

• Register Here to View Online

Virtual Student Town Hall

Monday, September 18 at 1:00 P.M. ET

Students will engage in a conversation with Mary Beth Tinker, who, at the age of 13 in 1969, protested the Vietnam War by wearing a black armband to school. She was joined by a few peers, including her brother, and their subsequent suspension led to a Supreme Court case where they asserted their actions as a form of free speech, ultimately emerging victorious. This narrative is featured in the Center's latest exhibit, "The First Amendment."

• Register Here to View Online

Scholar Exchange: The Constitutional Convention Featuring Colleen Sheehan, Richard Allen, and Jonathan Gienapp

Monday, September 18 at 2:00 P.M. ET

Distinguished Center scholars, including William Allen, Colleen Sheehan, and Jonathan Gienapp, will come together with National Constitution Center President and CEO Jeffrey Rosen. Their discussion will delve into the historical factors and incidents in early America that culminated in the Constitutional Convention. They'll dissect the pivotal debates during the Convention and how those dialogues steered the course of the United States' destiny. Alongside, the panelists will touch on their roles as writers and historians, offering insights into their careers. The session will also include a Q&A session with participants.

• Register Here to View Online

Looking for More?

Get a perfect score on our Constitution Day Quiz and be eligible for an SPC Goodie Bag!