Constitution Day

Constitution Day

Constitution Day, which is being observed in Scottsboro today with the signing of a Proclamation by Mayor Melton Potter, is an American federal observance of the of the signing and ratification of the United States Constitution on Sept. 17, 1787. Constitution Day commemorates the formation and signing of the Constitution. It also, as a continuation of Citizenship Day, recognizes all who, are born in the United States or become citizens through the naturalization process.

Before a 2004 amendment by Senator Robert Board the observance was know as “Citizenship Day.” The act requires that all educational institutions receiving federal funds of any kind provide education programming on the history of the Constitution annually on Sept. 17 or the school day closest to that date. Many activities are planned around the nation to provide students and individual citizens the chance to better understand what the document contains and how it pertains to individual freedoms.

The convention of states began formulating the document on May 14, 1787 in the State House (Independence Hall) in Philadelphia, Pa. Their purpose was to revise the Articles of Confederation under, which 13 states were loosely connected as a nation. Delegations from only two states were present. The members adjourned until a quorum of seven states was reached on May 25. By mid-June the delegates had decided that rather than amend the ambiguous Articles the country would be better served by the creation of a new document and framework for government.