Today In History: Signing of the U.S. Constitution in Philadelphia

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

-- Preamble, United States Constitution, 1787.

September 17th marks the annual anniversary of the signing of the United States Constitution in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Quill and ink to hand, thirty nine delegates from twelve of thirteen states (Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Virginia)  convened at Independence Hall, Pennsylvania State House, the first capitol of the colonial era, in 1787 to formally adopt the new law of the land. Among the Founding Fathers and signatories were: George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, Benjamin Franklin, William Samuel Johnson, and James Madison, Jr.   Altogether fifty-five delegates attended the Constitutional Convention sessions during which discussed and debated principles and values that would shape the future of the country.

Constitution Day, is also now known as Citizenship Day to honor all those who have become United States citizens. The federal observance was recognized in schools beginning in 1911 and it continues to this day, including events at Teachers College, Columbia University, where free speech in higher education, book bans, immigration, and other topics central to democracy are explored.

The following articles are drawn from Proquest Historical Newspapers, which informs and inspires classroom teaching and learning.

• Constitution Day. (1920, Sep 17). The Washington Post (1877-1922) 
• Lewis, M. H. (1920, Nov 21). Constitution Day and What It Means. Courier-Journal (1869-1922) 
• Constitution Day Observance Held: President of Columbia College Chief Speaker at Exercises in Faneuil Hall. Dr. Butler Introduced. (1923, Sep 17). The Christian Science Monitor (1908-) 
• This is Constitution Day. (1928, Sep 17). The Atlanta Constitution (1881-1945) 
• September 17 Proclaimed as Constitution Day: Roosevelt Urges Sturdy of 'Charter of American Ideals'.  (1932, Sep 11). New York Herald Tribune (1926-1962) 
• Why Have a Constitution. (1934, Sep 17). New York Herald Tribune (1926-1962) 
• McDermott, W. F. (1936, Jun 28). America Has Three Birthdays: Independence Day, Constitution Day, "National Day". Which Is America's Real Birthday? ll Three Are Important; Yet the Second Is Just Coming to Be Known, and the Third Has Almost Been Forgotten. New York Herald Tribune (1926-1962) 
• Honoring the Constitution. (1956, Sep 18). The Christian Science Monitor (1908-) 
• Celebrate America. (1988, Sep 13). Atlanta Daily World (1932-) 
• Jager, E. (2007, Sep 19). Power and Politics: In Praise of James Madison. The Jerusalem Post (1950-) 

Tips:

• Faber, D., & Faber, H. (1987). We the People : The Story of the United States Constitution Since 1787 (First edition.). Scribner’s.  Closed Stacks Curr ; KF4541.Z9 F33 1987.
• Henderson, H. (2006). Patriotic Holidays of the United States : An Introduction to the History, Symbols, and Traditions Behind the Major Holidays and Days of Observance (1st ed.). Omnigraphics. e-book. 
• Klarman, M. J. (2016). The Framers’ Coup : The Making of the United States Constitution. Oxford University Press.  e-book.
• Meet the Framers of the Constitution. America's Founding Documents. National Archives.
• National Citizenship Day. (1946). Committee on Citizenship, National Education Association of the United States. Closed Stacks Research ; JF801 .N38 1946.
• Rakove, J. N., & United States. (2009). The Annotated U.S. Constitution and Declaration of Independence (1st ed.). Belknap Press of Harvard University Press. e-book.
• Vile, J. R. (2012). The Writing and Ratification of the U.S. Constitution : Practical Virtue in Action (1st ed.). Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. e-book.

Images:

• Independence Hall, Philadelphia, circa 1930-1940, Rothman Lantern Slide Collection, Courtesy of Teachers College, Columbia University.
• Signing of the U.S. Constitution, Courtesy of Canva.

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