Constitution Day is a federal holiday celebrated on September 17. It celebrates the ratification of the U.S. Constitution. Originally known as "Citizenship Day," in honor of all American citizens, both naturalized and those born within the U.S., Constitution Day was created by federal law in 2004, and the holiday now honors both the ratification of the Constitution and American citizens.http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/2009/09/17/2009-09-17_happy_constitution_day_10_facts_you_didnt_know_about_the_sacred_document.html http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/us/constitution-citizenship-day

Friday, September 17, 2010 marked the 223rd year since the Constitution was ratified in Philadelphia.http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/2009/09/17/2009-09-17_happy_constitution_day_10_facts_you_didnt_know_about_the_sacred_document.html The Constitution was signed by 55 delegates in attendance at the Constitutional Convention on September 17, 1787.http://www.earlyamerica.com/earlyamerica/freedom/constitution/ It became law the following year.http://www.earlyamerica.com/earlyamerica/freedom/constitution/

Constitution Day is an American holiday observed to mark the ratification of the U.S. Constitution and to celebrate citizenship.

1939: William Randolph Hearst endorsed a day to celebrate the citizenship of people of the U.S.

1940: Congress declared the third Sunday in May "I Am an American Day"

1952: Louisville, Ohio, resident Olga T. Weber petitioned municipal offices to establish Constitution Day

September 17, 1952: Declared Constitution Day in Louisville, OH

April, 1953: Weber petitioned the state to declare September 17 Constitution Day statewide

August, 1953: September 17-September 23rd declared Constitution Week

April 15, 1957: Louisville City Council declared themselves Constitution Town

2004: Law that established Constitution Day was created

May, 2005: Enactment of law announced by the United States Department of Education

Cities and other government bodies and private groups celebrate Constitution Day with events and activities throughout the nation.http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/us/constitution-citizenship-day Additionally, the president can issue a proclamation encouraging citizens to celebrate the day and asking that the American flag be flown at government buildings.http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/us/constitution-citizenship-day

The 2004 law that created Constitution Day also requires schools throughout the U.S. to provide special instruction on the Constitution to students on the holiday if the schools have received federal funds.http://archive.fairvote.org/?page=1560 If Constitution Day falls on a weekend or another holiday, it is celebrated the following week, on the first weekday.http://archive.fairvote.org/?page=1560