Constitution Day

Constitution Day Naturalization Ceremony

9:30 a.m.
F.M. Kirby Auditorium and Online
September 17 also commemorates Citizenship Day, which honors the rights, responsibilities, and shared ideals of U.S. citizenship for both native-born and naturalized citizens. As part of our Constitution Day celebration, 50 immigrants from around the world will take the Oath of Allegiance and officially become United States citizens during our annual Naturalization Ceremony.  The Honorable John R. Padova, senior judge of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, will preside over the ceremony. Vince Stango, interim president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, will offer remarks.

"We, the People" Show

10:30 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.”

"Inspired by Independence" Show

11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Kenneth C. Griffin Great Hall Overlook Stage
For 250 years, Americans have turned to the words of the Declaration of Independence to demand greater freedom and equality. From the Seneca Falls Convention to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech, this powerful program explores how generations of Americans have drawn from the nation’s founding ideals to inspire change and expand the promise of liberty.

The Halls of History: Inside Independence National Historical Park

11:30 a.m.
Kenneth C. Griffin Great Hall Overlook Stage
Hear from a National Park Service Ranger about the history of Independence National Historic Park—the home of the building now known as Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were both signed—located a few hundred paces from where the National Constitution Center stands today. Learn about the ranger’s work preserving this important part of our history by taking care of the building itself and sharing the stories of the important events that happened within its walls.

Student Town Hall: Jefferson, Madison, and the Road from Independence to the Constitution and Bill of Rights

11:30 a.m.
F.M. Kirby Auditorium and Online
Join Thomas Jefferson, principal author of the Declaration of Independence, and James Madison, a leading architect of the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights, for a conversation exploring the connections among these three founding documents. Joined by Julie Silverbrook, chief content and learning officer at the National Constitution Center, Jefferson and Madison will help students explore the extraordinary period of nation-building that began 250 years ago, from declaring independence to creating a new constitutional system of government. Students will also learn more about their lives and legacies and have the opportunity to ask questions.

Decoding the Declaration Workshop

Noon
John C. Bogle Chairman's Room
Students will have the opportunity to experience the National Constitution Center’s Decoding the Document program, an engaging, hands-on experience designed to better understand primary sources. This program will focus on the Declaration of Independence, and participating students will examine the vocabulary, ideals, and perspectives that the founders used to declare the colonies’ break from Britain and share a vision of universal rights. In this special version of the program, students will also reflect on how they spent America’s 250th anniversary and consider what thoughts they would share with Americans living 250 years from now, connecting the words and ideas of the past with their hope for America’s future.

Space is limited. Please register in advance through our Group Sales team at [email protected]

The Constitution’s Birthday Celebration With Preamble Reading and Cake Cutting

12:30 p.m.
Kenneth C. Griffin Great Hall Overlook Stage
Join us in wishing the Constitution a happy 239th 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 and fanfare.

The Next 250: Youth Voices on the Civic Decade

1 p.m.
F.M. Kirby Auditorium and Online
What do young people hope the next chapter of America's story will look like? Earlier this year, Made By Us brought together dozens of young adults from across the country to reflect on this question. Participants drafted and signed Youth250: Our Declaration, a youth written declaration that names their hopes, commitments, and vision for the nation’s next 250 years. In partnership with Made By Us and History Co: Lab, join the National Constitution Center for a Constitution Day conversation featuring civically engaged youth reflecting on the nation's first 250 years, the Youth 250 Declaration, and dreaming about the Civic Decade ahead. Julie Silverbrook, chief content and learning officer of the National Constitution Center, will moderate.