September 17 is Constitution Day! Today, North Carolina Humanities joins the nation in observing the signing of this important document.
In May of 1787, the Constitutional Convention assembled in Philadelphia, PA. Although they had originally met to revise the Articles of Confederation, by mid-June they had decided to redesign a whole new system of government. After several long, hot summer months of debate and deliberation, the delegates appointed a committee to put its decisions into writing. On September 17, 1787, 38 delegates signed the Constitution. Today, the U.S. Constitution is still the oldest written national constitution in operation.
In commemoration of this founding document, and to encourage civic engagement around it, we invite students, teachers, community members, and others to use the following Constitution Day resources to discuss questions such as “Who is included in the phrase ‘We the People’?” and “What does ‘a more perfect union’ mean?”
Resources:
- Visit our current NC Humanities tour of the Smithsonian Institution exhibition Voices & Votes: Democracy in America in a town near you! The exhibition is currently on view at Alamance Community College in Graham, NC now through October 17, 2024. From revolution and suffrage, to civil rights and casting ballots, everyone in every community is part of this ever-evolving story – the story of democracy in America. Voices and Votes has many dynamic features including historical and contemporary photos; educational and archival video; interactive games; historical objects like campaign souvenirs, voter memorabilia, and protest material; and more!
- The National Endowment for the Humanities has extensive lesson plans, guides, and materials for teaching about the Constitution.
- You can examine original documents and other resources archived by the National Archives.
- Join the Signers of America’s Founding Documents! Add your name and become a signer of one of America’s Founding Documents with the National Archives.
- Teachers and educators can use the educational resources of the Library of Congress, including interactive activities and primary source documents.
- The State Archives of North Carolina has a number of significant foundational documents you can view, including state copies of federal documents and state constitutions.
- Learn about the relationship between the Census, the Constitution, and citizenship with the U.S. Census Bureau’s list of resources and graphics.
- Explore the many resources and the role of the North Carolina Judicial Branch. The North Carolina Judicial Branch is engaged in civic education to ensure that North Carolinians understand the principles enshrined in the U.S. Constitution, the role of the Judicial Branch, and the function of the North Carolina court system.
- Check out the U.S. Department of Education’s Constitution Day resource list with resources from the Supreme Court Historical Society, the Smithsonian, and more.
- Voting is an important part of our democracy. Find the voter registration deadline and the ways to register to vote from the North Carolina State Board of Elections.
- Tell your representatives in Congress how you feel about issues in your community. Find their contact information online at house.gov.
This is just a short collection of resources that are available and we encourage our readers to explore beyond what we’ve listed. If you have additional resources you’d like to share, please email mmoore@nchumanities.org.
Featured Image: Signing of Constitution by Howard C. Christy, 1940. Courtesy of Architect of the Capitol.
About North Carolina Humanities: Through public humanities programs and grantmaking, North Carolina Humanities connects North Carolinians with cultural experiences that spur dialogue, deepen human connections, and inspire community. North Carolina Humanities is a statewide nonprofit and the North Carolina affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Learn more at www.nchumanities.org.
