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Constitution Day 2024

Date
Tuesday, September 17
Time
All Day
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Constitution Day at The National Constitution Center

Tuesday, September 17, 2024
The National Constitution Center’s annual Constitution Day celebration is the biggest Constitution Day celebration in the country—and a great way to kick off the academic year! 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, creating an unforgettable experience for students and teachers.

The Center will host our Constitution Day Celebration on Tuesday, September 17, from 9:30 a.m.– 5 p.m. with free museum admission courtesy of PECO.

While admission is free, advanced reservations are strongly encouraged. To make group reservations, please call 215-409-6800 or email [email protected].

For individual reservations, click the link below.

Reserve Tickets

 

Featured Constitution Day Programming

Student Town Hall

Civic Stories With Justice Neil M. Gorsuch

Tuesday, September 17 | 11:15 a.m. ET
F.M. Kirby Auditorium and Livestreamed
The Honorable Neil M. Gorsuch, associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court and NCC honorary co-chair, joins National Constitution Center President and CEO Jeffrey Rosen. See below for more details.

Register Here to Attend Online

New Offering

Launch of Constitution 101 Student Course in Partnership With Khan Academy

Tuesday, September 17 | 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. See below for more details.

Register Here to Attend Online

Full List of Constitution Day Programs

Preamble Reading
Preamble Reading

Tuesday, September 17 | 9 a.m. ET
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.

Register Here to Attend Online
Constitution Day Naturalization Ceremony
Constitution Day Naturalization Ceremony

Tuesday, September 17 | 9:30 a.m. ET
F.M. Kirby Auditorium and Livestreamed

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.

Register Here to Attend Online
"We, the People" Show

Tuesday, September 17 | 10:15 a.m. and 1:45 p.m.
First Amendment Tablet State, 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
Kids Town Hall: Stories of the Constitution

Tuesday, September 17 | 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
Student Town Hall: Civic Stories With Justice Neil M. Gorsuch

Tuesday, September 17 | 11:15 a.m. ET
F.M. Kirby Auditorium and Livestreamed

The Honorable Neil M. Gorsuch, associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court and NCC honorary co-chair, joins National Constitution Center President and CEO Jeffrey Rosen for a discussion on his 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.

Register Here to Attend Online
A Conversation With Opal Lee: Juneteenth and the Constitution
A Conversation With Opal Lee: Juneteenth and the Constitution

Tuesday, September 17 | Noon ET
Livestreamed

Students are invited to join Opal Lee—known as the “grandmother of Juneteenth” for her efforts to get the holiday federally recognized—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.

Register Here to Attend Online
The Constitution’s Birthday Celebration—With Preamble Reading and Cake Cutting
The Constitution’s Birthday Celebration—With Preamble Reading and Cake Cutting

Tuesday, September 17 | 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
The Halls of History: Inside Independence National Historical Park

Tuesday, September 17 | 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
Launch of Constitution 101 Student Course in Partnership With Khan Academy

Tuesday, September 17 | 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.

Register Here to Attend Online
Additional Programs
Additional Programs

Visitors can check out our giant version of the U.S. Constitution and sign their name alongside Washington, Franklin, and Madison, or visit our Constitution Day Activity Stations to play trivia, create arts and crafts projects, take an up-close look at historic artifacts, enjoy outdoor games, and more. Visitors will also have the opportunity to explore all of our signature exhibits, including favorites like Signers’ Hall, or see our Freedom Rising show, which will be performed every half hour from 9:45 a.m.–3:15 p.m., with a final performance at 4:15 p.m.

Town Hall

A Conversation With Justice Neil Gorsuch on “The Human Toll of Too Much Law”

Tuesday, September 17 | 6:30-7:30 p.m. ET 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, in celebration of Constitution Day 2024 and the release of his latest book, Over Ruled: The Human Toll of Too Much Law. Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, moderates.

Register Here to Attend Online

Register Here to Attend in Person
More from the National Constitution Center
Constitution 101

Explore our new 15-unit core curriculum with educational videos, primary texts, and more.

Media Library

Search and browse videos, podcasts, and blog posts on constitutional topics.

Founders’ Library

Discover primary texts and historical documents that span American history and have shaped the American constitutional tradition.

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