Senator Robert Byrd (D-WVA) is the force behind Constitution Day; he proposed the legislation mandating the celebration in 2004. Prior to that time, there was no requirement that schools teach children about the Constitution on Constitution Day.
President Eisenhower issued a proclamation designating September 17 to 23 Constitution Week in 1956.
A predecessor to Constitution Day, "I am an American Day" was first celebrated in 1940 on the third Sunday in May. President Truman changed the name to Citizenship Day in 1952 and moved the celebration to its current date.
September 17 was selected as Constitution Day to commemorate the adjournment of the Constitutional Convention in Philadephia in 1787.
In honor of Constitution Day, see how familiar you are with the U.S. Constitution by taking this Constitution Day Quiz.
Constitution Day Quiz Question 1
Q: How many Articles and Amendments does the U.S. Constitution contain?
A: 7 Articles and 27 Amendments
Constitution Day Quiz Question 2
Q: What is the subject of the most recent Constitutional Amendment?
A: Compensation of Congress members, passed in 1992. The Amendment provides that no law varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and Respresentatives shall take effect until an election of Representatives shall have intervened.
Constitution Day Quiz Question 3
Q: When was the Constitutional Amendment affording women the right to vote effected?
A: Amendment XIX prohibiting the United States or any state from abridging tor denying any citizen the right to vote went into effect in 1920.
Constitution Day Quiz Question 4
Q: What right does Amendment II to the United States Constitution secure for the people?
A: The right to keep and bear arms.
Constitution Day Quiz Question 5
Q: Which Constitutional Amendments constitute the Bill of Rights?
A: Amendments I to X constitute the Bill of Rights.
Constitution Day Quiz Question 6
Q: Which Constitutional Amendment prohibits Congress from passing laws abriding freedom of the press?
A: Amendment I.
Constitution Day Quiz Question 7
Q: What are the three requirements for a citizen to be eligible for election to the House of Representatives?
A: As set forth in Article I, section 2, a citizen must be 25 years of age, have been a U.S. citizen 7 years, and be an inhabitant of the state in which he is elected.
Constitution Day Quiz Question 8
Q: Under what conditions may a President be impeached and removed from office?
A: Article II, section 4 specifies that a President, Vice President or civil officer of the United States shall be removed from office on impeachment for, and conviction of, treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors.
Constitution Day Quiz Question 9
Q: Which of these enumerated powers is not relegated to Congress: the power to establish post offices, punish piracies committed on the high seas, promote the progress of science, or declare war?
A: All of these powers are relegated to Congress under Article I, section 8 of the Constitution.
Constitution Day Quiz Question 10
Q: Can a citizen who fails to pay taxes be denied the right to vote in the upcoming Presidential election?
A: No, Amendment XXIV to the U.S. Constitution states that the right of citizens to vote in any primary or other election for President or Vice President, for electors for President or Vice President, or for Senator or Representative in Congress, shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any state by reason of failure to pay any poll tax or other tax.
Happy Constitution Day!
Source: k12.ca
