Back to Calendar
Civic Holidays | In Person | Online

Constitution Day

Date
Wednesday, September 17
Time
All Day
ConstitutionWeek2024-1200x649_1.png

On September 17, 1787, the framers signed 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.

This year, in honor of America’s upcoming semiquincentennial, we are commemorating the signing of two of the nation's founding documents: the U.S. Constitution, the anniversary we celebrate every year on September 17; and the Declaration of Independence, which is celebrating its 250th birthday all year long!

On Constitution Day, we are excited to launch our new America at 250 CivicToolkit, featuring an Interactive Declaration Independence, a complement to the Center’s highly acclaimed Interactive Constitution, and an essential guide for learners of all ages to engage with the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and America’s founding principles.

Additional programs will honor both revolutionary documents, including a lively reading of the Constitution’s Preamble, a moving naturalization ceremony, special conversations with favorite revolutionary figures, educational activities and workshops, hand-on arts and crafts, and more. And of course, there will be constitutional birthday cake!

The Center will host our Constitution Day Celebration on Wednesday, 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 here.
 

Programs and Events

Preamble Reading
Preamble Reading

9 a.m. ET
NCC Front Lawn and Online

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 to View Online
Constitution Day Naturalization Ceremony
Constitution Day Naturalization Ceremony

9:30 a.m. ET
F.M. Kirby Auditorium and Online
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 Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Vince Stango will offer remarks.

Register to View Online
Constitution Day Story Hour
Constitution Day Story Hour

10:30 a.m. ET
Private Dining Room
Younger learners and their families are invited to join us for stories about the revolutionary era, the writing of the Constitution, famous founders, and more.

The Halls of History: Inside Independence National Historical
The Halls of History: Inside Independence National Historical

10:30 a.m. ET
Kenneth C. Griffin Great Hall Overlook Stage
The Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were both signed 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.

Student Town Hall: A Conversation With Benjamin Franklin <br/>Featuring Carol Berkin
Student Town Hall: A Conversation With Benjamin Franklin
Featuring Carol Berkin

11:15 a.m. ET
F.M. Kirby Auditorium and Online
Historian and author Carol Berkin will lead a discussion with history’s favorite founding figures: Benjamin Franklin. This special program will explore Franklin’s life, his contributions to our nation’s founding documents, and the impact that our founders’ legacies have on America 250 years later. Birkin has contributed biographies on the founders to the Center’s forthcoming Interactive Declaration of Independence. Benjamin Franklin will be portrayed by a professional reenactor.

Register to View Online
The Constitution’s Birthday Celebration With Preamble Reading and Cake Cutting
The Constitution’s Birthday Celebration With Preamble Reading and Cake Cutting

12:30 p.m. ET
Kenneth C. Griffin Great Hall Overlook State
Join us in wishing the Constitution a happy 238th 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.

Kids Town Hall: Meet the Founders
Kids Town Hall: Meet the Founders

1:15 p.m. ET
Kenneth C. Griffin Great Hall Overlook Stage
Students have a chance to “meet” famous figures from the Revolutionary era and hear about the ways they shaped the founding of our nation and contributed to documents like the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. They will also share more about their lives and legacies, and answer questions from the audience.
Historic figures will be portrayed by professional reenactors.

Launch of the America at 250 Civic Toolkit
Launch of the America at 250 Civic Toolkit

1:30 p.m. ET
F.M. Kirby Auditorium and Online
National Constitution Center Vice President of Civic Education Julie Silverbrook is joined by historian and author Carol Berkin and legal scholar Mary Sarah Bilder to launch the NCC’s newest online feature, the America at 250 Civic Toolkit. An essential guide for learners of all ages to engage with the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and America’s founding principles. The America at 250 Civic Toolkit will offer a trusted, non-partisan framework—rooted in primary sources—to frame conversations at this crucial moment in America history. The Toolkit explores key constitutional ideas and principles through a new Interactive Declaration of Independence, a complement to the Center’s highly acclaimed Interactive Constitution. National Constitution Center Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Vince Stango will offer introductory remarks. 

Register to View Online
An Evening With Justice Amy Coney Barrett

An Evening With Justice Amy Coney Barrett

6:30 - 7:30 p.m. ET
Kenneth C. Griffin Great Hall Overlook Stage and Online
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett joins National Constitution Center President and CEO Jeffrey Rosen for a special Constitution Day conversation to discuss her new book, Listening to the Law: Reflections on the Court and the Constitution. Justice Barrett reflects on her journey to the Court and offers a glimpse into her role (and daily life) as a justice, including her deliberative process and how she approaches interpreting the Constitution.

A book sale and signing will follow the program.

Register to Attend Online Register to Attend In Person

Additional Museum Programs and Activities

“Inspired by Independence” Show

10 a.m. and Noon
Kenneth C. Griffin Great Hall Overlook Stage
This program will explore moments from history when new generations have borrowed the powerful words of the Declaration of Independence as they have worked to expand its promise of freedom and equality, building on the legacy of the nation’s founding.

“We, the People” Show

11:30 a.m.
Kenneth C. Griffin Great Hall Overlook Stage
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.”

Will You Sign?

10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Kenneth C. Griffin Great Hall
Check out our giant version of the Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution and sign your name alongside the founders. Or you can also choose not to sign, like the dissenters did!

Interactive Declaration Stations

10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Kenneth C. Griffin Great Hall
Visitors will have the opportunity to explore our newest online resource, the Interactive Declaration of Independence.

Constitution Day Activity Stations

10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Throughout the Museum
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.

Freedom Rising, Signers Hall, and More!

10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Throughout the Museum
Visitors will have the opportunity to explore iconic exhibits, including Signers’ Hall, and view Freedom Rising, a stirring 17-minute journey from the founding of our nation to the present.