Constitution Day and Citizenship Day2026 · Date · History
36 U.S.C. §106 designates September 17 as Constitution Day and Citizenship Day and states that it commemorates the Constitution’s signing on September 17, 1787 and recognizes citizens. Public Law 108-447 added the combined Constitution Day title in 2004 and requires federally funded educational institutions to provide a Constitution program; current Department of Education guidance confirms the annual requirement.
About Constitution Day and Citizenship Day
In the United States, September 17 is designated by federal law as Constitution Day and Citizenship Day.
The date commemorates the signing of the Constitution on September 17, 1787 and also recognizes people who have become U.S. citizens by age or naturalization.
Why Constitution Day and Citizenship Day matters
The observance combines constitutional history with civic education and citizenship recognition.
Its legal wording should be described directly from statute without turning the page into partisan advocacy or individualized citizenship, immigration, or legal advice.
History of Constitution Day and Citizenship Day
The Constitution was signed in Philadelphia on September 17, 1787.
Federal law had designated September 17 as Citizenship Day before the current combined title was adopted.
Public Law 108-447 in 2004 amended 36 U.S.C. §106 to use the title Constitution Day and Citizenship Day.
The same 2004 law requires educational institutions receiving federal funds to hold an educational program on the Constitution for their students.
Current Department of Education guidance says the program is held on September 17, with a preceding or following week option when the date falls on a weekend or holiday.
How the observance developed
This timeline uses documented milestones from reviewed sources. Missing stages are left out rather than guessed.
Citizenship Day
The 2004 amendment retained September 17 while changing the statutory title to Constitution Day and Citizenship Day and adding an explicit Constitution-education requirement for federally funded educational institutions.
United States Congress
Public Law 108-447, Division J, Title I, §111 (2004)
What the evidence establishes
Confirmed institutional roles and milestones are shown first. Details that could not be established from the reviewed sources are listed separately below.
4 fields not established in reviewed sources
Predecessor and precursor observances
Earlier or merged observances are kept separate from former names and later institutional actions.
Also known as
Constitution Day
How to Observe Constitution Day and Citizenship Day
Read the text of 36 U.S.C. §106 and the Constitution using official government sources.
Explore National Archives, Library of Congress, court or education resources that explain constitutional history and structure.
Schools and institutions covered by the federal requirement should use current Department of Education guidance for compliance details.
Discuss constitutional history in a way that distinguishes documented facts, legal text and personal political views.
For citizenship, immigration or legal questions affecting a person, use appropriate official guidance or qualified advice rather than an observance page.
Constitution Day and Citizenship Day Facts
September 17 is designated Constitution Day and Citizenship Day in 36 U.S.C. §106.
The statutory purpose refers to the Constitution’s signing on September 17, 1787.
The combined title was added by federal legislation in 2004.
Federally funded educational institutions have a statutory Constitution-program requirement associated with the date.
The observance is civic and educational; it does not itself determine anyone’s immigration or citizenship status.
Topic and context
What this page does not assume
- Keep the source-defined country, community, organizer or institutional scope; do not silently broaden it.
- Do not treat the title alone as proof of government recognition or public-holiday status.
- Do not add a creator, founding story or origin claim unless the supporting evidence establishes it.
- Remembrance Civic Context Care.
Evidence & sources
Sources used across the guide are gathered here. Labels show how each source supports the page, and contextual references are kept separate from primary evidence.
U.S. Code — 36 U.S.C. §106 Constitution Day and Citizenship Day (opens in a new tab)
Federal Statute
U.S. Department of Education — Constitution Day and Citizenship Day (opens in a new tab)
Federal Agency
Federal Student Aid — 2026 Constitution Day and Citizenship Day reminder (opens in a new tab)
Federal Agency Current
Understand it, compare it, then explore further
Start with the most common factual questions, then compare closely related observances and explore useful connections.
Frequently asked questions
When is Constitution Day and Citizenship Day?
17 September The documented recurrence rule is: 17 September.
Does Constitution Day and Citizenship Day fall on the same date every year?
Yes. It uses a fixed annual date unless stronger evidence changes the pattern.
Is Constitution Day and Citizenship Day an official public holiday?
The reviewed sources verify it within this scope: United States. That recognition does not by itself make it a statutory public holiday; the site only makes public-holiday claims when reliable evidence explicitly does so.
Who established or recognizes Constitution Day and Citizenship Day?
The reviewed sources identify United States Congress as the proclaiming or establishing body.
Is Constitution Day and Citizenship Day international or country-specific?
This observance is specific to United States. Its fuller verified scope is: United States.
How is this page verified?
The factual information is checked against reviewed sources, including the date pattern, scope and institutional history. This page was checked on 2026-09-23.
When is Constitution Day and Citizenship Day?
It is September 17 each year.
Why September 17?
Federal law ties the date to the signing of the U.S. Constitution on September 17, 1787.
Why is Citizenship Day part of the name?
Federal law uses the combined title and recognizes people who have become citizens by coming of age or naturalization.
Do federally funded schools have a Constitution Day requirement?
Yes. Federal law requires covered educational institutions to provide a Constitution educational program; current Department of Education guidance explains timing.
Does the observance guide give citizenship or immigration advice?
No. Individual citizenship or immigration questions should be addressed through official guidance or qualified legal assistance.
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