Constitution Day at Chamberlain

Why Constitution Day?

Constitution Day commemorates the day that the Constitution of the United States was signed on September 17, 1787. 

In 2004, an amendment to Title 36 Patriotic and National Observances, Ceremonies & Organizations, Section 106, changed the observance of Citizenship Day to Constitution Day and Citizenship Day. Part of the amendment requires that schools and educational institutions mark the day with education programs/activities remembering the privileges of citizenship in the United States of America (Library of Congress, 2019).

Rights, Responsibilities, and Benefits an American Citizen

Rights:

• Freedom to express yourself.
• Freedom to worship as you wish.
• Right to a prompt, fair trial by jury.
• Right to vote in elections for public officials.
• Right to apply for federal employment requiring U.S. citizenship.
• Right to run for elected office.
• Freedom to pursue “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

Responsibilities: 

• Support and defend the Constitution.
• Stay informed of the issues affecting your community.
• Participate in the democratic process.
• Respect and obey federal, state, and local laws.
• Respect the rights, beliefs, and opinions of others.
• Participate in your local community.
• Pay income and other taxes honestly, and on time, to federal, state, and local authorities.
• Serve on a jury when called upon.
• Defend the country if the need should arise.

Benefits:

• Vote
• Serve on a jury
• Travel with US passport
• Bring family members to the US
• Apply for federal jobs
• Become an elected official
• Keep your US residency
• Become eligible for federal grants and scholarships
• Obtain government benefits

Library of Congress

National Archives

National Constitution Center

National Archives. (2020, September 17). Celebrating Constitution Day.
https://www.archives.gov/news/topics/constitution-day

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. (2020, July 5). Should I Consider U.S Citizenship.
https://www.uscis.gov/citizenship/learn-about-citizenship/should-i-consider-us-citizenship