Philadelphia, PA (September 09, 2024) – On September 17, 1787, the framers signed the most influential document in American history, the U.S. Constitution. Every year, the National Constitution Center commemorates that historic occasion by hosting a day that combines educational and engaging programming with a fun and festive atmosphere for students at the National Constitution Center and around the country. Constitution Day celebrations will take place Tuesday, September 17, from 9:30 a.m.– 5 p.m., with free museum admission courtesy of PECO.
This year the National Constitution Center will celebrate the Constitution’s 237th birthday with an exceptional lineup of programming and special guests. Highlights include a virtual launch event for the NCC’s Constitution 101 course in partnership with Khan Academy, a student-mastery course designed to empower students with a deeper understanding of the Constitution and its impact on their lives. NCC President and CEO Jeffrey Rosen and Khan Academy founder and CEO Sal Khan will answer questions from students as well as address timely questions related to the Constitution, student free speech, AI, and elections in a conversation moderated by Ohio-educator Amy Elsass.
“We are thrilled to celebrate Constitution Day with a robust lineup of programs that reflect our mission to bring the Constitution to life for learners of all ages,” said Rosen. “The launch of Constitution 101 with Khan Academy is an exciting step forward in our commitment to providing high-quality, engaging resources for students nationwide. The Constitution is the foundation of our democracy, and it’s vital that we continue to educate and inspire the next generation about its principles.”
A special Student Town Hall features the Honorable Neil M. Gorsuch,, Supreme Court associate justice and NCC honorary co-chair, for a conversation with students about his career, the role of the judiciary, and what it’s like to serve on the Supreme Court, while sharing the stories of real people who have had to navigate the complexities of the nation’s legal system. Justice Gorsuch will also appear later that evening for an America’s Town Hall program to discuss his latest book, Over Ruled: The Human Toll of Too Much Law.
September 17 is also celebrated as Citizenship Day, and the National Constitution Center will host a moving Naturalization Ceremony, during which 50 immigrants from around the globe will take the Oath of Allegiance to officially become citizens of the United States. The Honorable John R. Padova, senior judge of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania will preside over the ceremony and MSNBC host and NCC Trustee Ali Velshi will give the keynote address.
Other events throughout the day include a virtual conversation with activist and “Grandmother of Juneteenth” Opal Lee, who played an important role in making that day a federal holiday. Additional special programs include a Kids Town Hall exploring the stories of the Constitution with historic figures portrayed by professional reenactors; a “We the People” show sharing the stories of five extraordinary Americans who used their First Amendment rights to fight for change; and a program on Independence National Historical Park with National Park Service Rangers who will discuss the park’s history and the important work they do. A birthday party as big as this wouldn’t be complete without cake, and the Center has a giant one ready to roll out with fanfare at the Constitution’s birthday celebration with a Preamble reading and cake-cutting ceremony.
All NCC Constitution Day Events | Tuesday, September 17, 2024
Preamble Reading
9 a.m. ET
In person and livestreamed; NCC Front Lawn
Happy Constitution Day! Join the staff of the National Constitution Center—plus some special guests—live from the museum’s front lawn, as we kick off the day with a reading of the Preamble to the Constitution.
Constitution Day Naturalization Ceremony
9:30 a.m. ET
In person and livestreamed; F.M. Kirby Auditorium
Every September 17 we celebrate Constitution Day as well as Citizenship Day, a holiday meant to honor and celebrate the privileges and responsibilities of U.S. citizenship for both native-born and naturalized citizens. In recognition of this special observance, the National Constitution Center hosts an annual Naturalization Ceremony as part of our Constitution Day celebrations, during which 50 immigrants from across the globe will take the Oath of Allegiance to officially become citizens of the United States. The Honorable John R. Padova, senior judge of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, will preside over the ceremony. National Constitution Center President and CEO Jeffrey Rosen will offer remarks and MSNBC host and NCC Trustee Ali Velshi will give the keynote address.
Our Giant Constitution: Will You Sign?
10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Grand Hall Lobby
Check out our giant version of the U.S. Constitution and sign your name alongside Washington, Franklin, and Madison. Or you can also choose not to sign, like the dissenters did!
“We, the People” Show
10:15 a.m. and 1:45 p.m.
First Amendment Tablet Stage, Grand Hall Overlook
Through the lens of the five freedoms guaranteed in the First Amendment, this program illuminates the stories of five extraordinary Americans, exploring how they were able to use their First Amendment rights to fight for change and expand the meaning of “We, the People.”
Kids Town Hall: Stories of the Constitution
10:45 and 11:45 a.m.
First Amendment Tablet Stage, Grand Hall Overlook
The Constitution was written in 1787 by the delegates to the Constitutional Convention, and over the past 237 years we, the people, have worked to expand their vision, making our democracy more embracive. “Meet” famous figures from throughout constitutional history and hear about the ways they shaped the Constitution.
Historic figures will be portrayed by professional reenactors.
Student Town Hall: Civic Stories With Justice Neil M. Gorsuch
11:15 a.m. ET
In person and livestreamed; F.M. Kirby Auditorium
The Honorable Neil M. Gorsuch, associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court and NCC honorary co-chair, and his co-author and former law clerk Janie Nitze, join National Constitution Center President and CEO Jeffrey Rosen for a discussion on their new book, which focuses on the stories of ordinary Americans—from fishermen in Florida to families in Montana, to a young internet entrepreneur in Massachusetts and more—who have had to navigate the complexities of the nation’s legal system. Justice Gorsuch will also share with students interesting details from his career, the important role played by the judiciary, and what it’s like to serve on the Supreme Court of the United States.
A Conversation With Opal Lee: Juneteenth and the Constitution
Noon ET
Livestreamed
Students are invited to join Opal Lee, the grandmother of Juneteenth, for a special Constitution Day celebration exploring themes of freedom, equality, and storytelling. Together we will examine the debates over slavery at the Constitutional Convention, the role of the amendment process in abolishing slavery, and the many ways we can share the stories of the past. Students will have the opportunity to ask questions, share insights, and explore the connections between storytelling and history. Miss Opal will join the conversation to share her role in the establishment of Juneteenth as a national holiday and answer student questions. We’ll conclude our time together with a special activity analyzing the portrait of Opal Lee that hangs in the National Portrait Gallery.
Presented in partnership with the Annenberg Public Policy Center, National Portrait Gallery, and National Constitution Center.
The Constitution’s Birthday Celebration—With Preamble Reading and Cake Cutting
12:30 p.m. ET
First Amendment Tablet Stage, Grand Hall Overlook
Join us in wishing the Constitution a happy 237th birthday in front of the First Amendment Tablet. After a lively reading of the Preamble to the Constitution, the celebration will conclude with birthday cake cutting and fanfare.
The Halls of History: Inside Independence National Historical Park
1 p.m. ET
First Amendment Tablet Stage, Grand Hall Overlook
The U.S. Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, in the building now known as Independence Hall, just a few hundred paces from where the National Constitution Center stands today. Our partners at Independence National Historical Park are responsible for preserving this important part of our history—both by taking care of the building itself, but also sharing the stories of the important events that happened within its walls. This Constitution Day, you can meet a National Park Service Ranger and learn more about the park’s history and the important work they do.
Launch of Constitution 101 Student Course in Partnership With Khan Academy
1 p.m. ET
Livestreamed
Join National Constitution Center President and CEO Jeffrey Rosen and Khan Academy founder Sal Khan for the launch of our Constitution 101 student course developed in partnership with the Khan Academy. This student-mastery course is designed to empower students with a deeper understanding of the Constitution and its impact on their lives. Moderated by Ohio high school educator Amy Elsass, this special Constitution Day event will feature questions from students from around the country and will explore the importance of civil dialogue and how to think like a constitutional scholar, as well as address timely constitutional questions related to student free speech, AI, and elections.
Constitution Day Activity Stations
At Constitution Day Activity Stations, play trivia, create arts and crafts projects, take an up-close look at historic artifacts, enjoy outdoor games, and learn more about the history of printing and the art of calligraphy. Plus, in preparation for the upcoming presidential election, special stations explore the history of elections and voting rights in the United States.
Freedom Rising
Performed every half hour from 9:45 a.m.–3:15 p.m., with a final performance at 4:15 p.m.
Sidney Kimmel Theater
Experience the performance that Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor called “the best 17-minute civics lesson in the country.” Freedom Rising is a stirring 17-minute journey from the founding of our nation to the present. This vibrant, theatrical production features 360-degree multimedia and a live narrator who tells the story of the U.S. Constitution from its creation during the 1787 Constitutional Convention to the amendments and court decisions that continue to make the Constitution “the most powerful vision of human freedom ever expressed.”
National Constitution Center Exhibits
Visitors to the National Constitution Center have the opportunity to explore all of our signature exhibits, including The Story of We the People, Signers’ Hall, American Treasures, Constituting Liberty, Civil War and Reconstruction: The Battle for Freedom and Equality, The 19th Amendment: How Women Won the Vote, and our newest exhibit, The First Amendment.
A Conversation With Justice Neil Gorsuch on “The Human Toll of Too Much Law”
Tuesday, September 17 | 6:30–7:30 p.m. ET
In person and livestreamed; Grand Hall Overlook
Join us for an evening America’s Town Hall program featuring a conversation with the Honorable Neil M. Gorsuch, associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court and NCC honorary co-chair, and his co-author and former law clerk Janie Nitze, in celebration of Constitution Day 2024 and the release of their latest book, Over Ruled: The Human Toll of Too Much Law. Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, moderates.
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About the National Constitution Center
The National Constitution Center in Philadelphia brings together people of all ages and perspectives, across America and around the world, to learn about, debate, and celebrate the greatest vision of human freedom in history, the U.S. Constitution. A private, nonprofit organization, the Center serves as America’s leading platform for constitutional education and debate, fulfilling its congressional charter “to disseminate information about the U.S. Constitution on a nonpartisan basis.” As the Museum of We the People, the Center brings the Constitution to life for visitors of all ages through interactive programs and exhibits. As America’s Town Hall, the Center brings the leading conservative and liberal thought leaders together to debate the Constitution on all media platforms. As a Headquarters for Civic Education, the Center delivers the best educational programs and online resources that inspire citizens and engage all Americans in learning about the U.S. Constitution. For more information, call 215-409-6700 or visit constitutioncenter.org.
