Constitution Week: A Celebration of American Democracy

September 15, 2025

Constitution Week, celebrated annually from September 17 to September 23, commemorates the signing of the U.S. Constitution on September 17, 1787. This week-long observance also includes Citizenship Day on September 17, and it serves as an opportunity to reflect on the core principles and ideals that form the bedrock of American democracy.

A great resource for learning more is The Constitution of the United States and The Declaration of Independence (Pocket Edition). Available from the U.S. Government Bookstore, this official publication is a compact and convenient way to carry a reminder of the foundational documents that outline our nation’s government, define its structure, and detail the processes for ratification and amendment.

Why is Constitution Week Important?

The primary goals of Constitution Week are to:

  • Educate: Raise awareness about the U.S. Constitution and its vital role in shaping American society.
  • Promote Civic Engagement: Encourage citizens to get involved in the democratic process and understand their rights and responsibilities.
  • Celebrate American Values: Honor the principles of liberty, justice, and equality that are enshrined in the Constitution.

How to Celebrate Constitution Week

There are many ways to participate and honor this important week:

  • Educational Activities: Schools and community groups often host debates, mock trials, and historical reenactments.
  • Community Events: Look for local flag-raising ceremonies, parades, or picnics.
  • Online Resources: Explore the many online resources that provide information on the Constitution’s history and significance.

By celebrating Constitution Week, we can help ensure that the principles and values of our nation’s founding document are cherished and protected for future generations.

The GPO Online Bookstore – Easy Access to Federal Publications

HOW DO I OBTAIN THIS RESOURCE?

Sign up to receive promotional bulletin emails from the US Government Online Bookstore.

Shop Online Anytime: You can buy a vast majority of eBooks or print publications —with FREE Standard Shipping worldwide— from the U.S. Government Online Bookstore at https://bookstore.gpo.gov.

Order by Phone or Email: Call our Customer Contact Center Monday through Friday, 8 am to 4:30 pm Eastern (except US Federal holidays). From US and Canada, call toll-free 1.866.512.1800. DC or International customers call +1.202.512.1800.  Email orders to ContactCenter@gpo.gov

Visit a Federal depository library: Search for U.S. Government publications in a nearby Federal depository library. You can find the records for most titles in GPO’s Catalog of U.S. Government Publications.

Find more than a million official Federal Government publications from all three branches at www.govinfo.gov.

About the author: Blogger contributor Ed Kessler is a Promotions Specialist in GPO’s Publications and Information Sales Office.

Images and additional content provided by Government Book Talk Editor Trudy Hawkins. Trudy is the Senior Marketing & Promotions Specialist in GPO’s Publication & Information Sales Office supporting the U.S. Government Online Bookstore (https://bookstore.gpo.gov).

2 Comments | Civics and Citizenship, Congress, U.S. History | Tagged: , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Trudy Hawkins

Celebrating our Constitution and Citizenship

September 16, 2020

The meaning of being an American citizen is grounded in the words of our Constitution and Bill of Rights. We can be proud as the only nation founded on the words of Thomas Jefferson in 1776, who proposed human rights inherent to all people found in the Declaration of Independence: “all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights; that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

The Constitution of the United States and the Declaration of Independence (Pocket Edition). These papers created by America’s Founding Fathers define our government and guarantee our individual rights. On September 17, Americans are encouraged to celebrate Constitution Day and Citizenship Day. For newly arrived and established immigrants, it’s a time to reflect on becoming an American citizen, as a day like no other.

USCIS Adult Citizenship Education Program Development Guide: Building an Adult Citizenship Program. With Constitution Week being celebrated from September 17-23, the Government Publishing Office suggests seeking out publications produced by United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) that speak to the values and responsibilities of American citizenship. Also in this collection, you will find study resources for civics and English portions of the naturalization interview, plus testing procedures essential to prospective citizens.

For those who are taking steps to become U.S. citizens, USCIS provides many guides with questions on the civics test like, “What is the supreme law of the land?” and “What are two rights of everyone living in the United States?”

To help celebrate Citizenship Day and Constitution Week, test your knowledge, with some of these resources associated with these important events: https://bookstore.gpo.gov/catalog/citizenship-civics.

The GPO Online Bookstore – Easy Access to Federal Publications

HOW DO I OBTAIN THESE RESOURCES?

Sign up to receive promotional bulletin emails from the US Government Online Bookstore.

Shop Online Anytime: You can buy a vast majority of eBooks or print publications —with FREE Standard Shipping worldwide— from the U.S. Government Online Bookstore at https://bookstore.gpo.gov.

Visit our Retail Store: To buy or order a copy of any print editions from this collection at GPO’s retail bookstore at 710 North Capitol Street NW, Washington, DC 20401, open Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., except Federal holidays, Call (202) 512-0132 for information or to arrange in-store pick-up(s).

Order by Phone or Email: Call our Customer Contact Center Monday through Friday, 8 am to 4:30 pm Eastern (except US Federal holidays). From US and Canada, call toll-free 1.866.512.1800. DC or International customers call +1.202.512.1800.  Email orders to ContactCenter@gpo.gov

Find more than a million official Federal Government publications from all three branches at www.govinfo.gov.

About the author: Blogger contributor Ed Kessler is a Promotions Specialist in GPO’s Publication and Information Sales program office.

Leave a Comment » | Civics and Citizenship, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Trudy Hawkins