Friday, September 17, is Constitution Day. This federal observance recognizes the adoption of the United States Constitution and those who have become U.S. citizens. It is commemorated on the day in 1787 that delegates to the Constitutional Convention signed the document in Philadelphia.

Rigorous instruction on democratic institutions is the foundation for the Illinois middle and high school civic course requirements. Learning core civic concepts across disciplines and exploring the role and responsibilities of citizens and government are also important elements of our Illinois Democracy Schools initiative. 

Educators have a plethora of resources available to their classrooms to help mark this occasion.

• The National Constitution Center has a series of special events and lesson plans to commemorate the occasion.
• iCivics created lesson plans and activities to commemorate the day with resources specifically for English Language Learners.
• The Civics Renewal Network curated a Constitution Day Toolkit for your review.
• The Library of Congress has gathered a number of primary sources and lesson plans to support teachers.
• Docs Teach from the National Archives has a special page with resources designed to “bring the Constitution to life.”
• Our friends at the Florida Joint Center for Citizenship have gathered a number of activities for K-12 classrooms.
• Share My Lesson has PreK-12 Constitution Day activities, lesson plans, and resources.
• The Center for Civic Education has K-12 grade activities to commemorate the creation and signing of the supreme law of the land and to honor and celebrate the privileges and responsibilities of U.S. citizenship for both native-born and naturalized citizens.
• The American Bar Association has resources and lesson plans to commemorate the day.
• The Bill of Rights Institute (BRI) has exciting plans for Constitution Day Live– a hybrid streaming program featuring direct live engagement with teachers and students coupled with pre-recorded segments and published in-class materials to promote the study of the Constitution and constitutional issues. In the run-up to the live event, BRI will be releasing several new videos starting September 1 and new lesson plans starting September 7. Ten lucky teachers who sign up will receive gift boxes for themselves and their students with pocket constitutions, gift cards, and other fun and educational BRI swag! BRI will announce winners live on September 17.

We would love to see what you do to celebrate #ConstitutionDay. Share your celebration with the Illinois Civics Hub Facebook Group or tag us on Twitter with #CivicsInTheMiddle.