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Constitution Day, Citizenship Day, & Voting Rights: Constitution Day, Citizenship Day, & Voting Rights

What is Constitution Day?

According to documentation at the Library of Congress at Constitution Day and Citizenship Day the current "Constitution Day and Citizenship Day" had its roots back in 1940 with a joint resolution passed by Congress having the President issue a Proclamation setting aside the third Sunday in May for public recognition for all those who attained American citizenship, as "I Am An American Day.”

In 1952 Congress repealed the 1940 joint resolution and passed a new law moving the date to September 17 to commemorate the September 17, 1787 signing of the Constitution, and still retained the designation of "Citizenship Day" as well.

Effective May 24, 2005, the U.S. Department of Education released a “Notice of Implementation” that federal legislation proposed by West Virginian Senator Robert C. Byrd and passed by Congress requires all educational institutions which receive federal funds from the Department of Education to provide education programs relating to the United States Constitution on September 17 of each year and also requires that head of every federal agency provide each employee with educational and training materials concerning the Constitution on this date as well. For reference, see the Federal Register May 24, 2005 .

September 17 commemorates the signing of the Constitution by the Constitution Convention delegates on September 17, 1787.

Harford Community College is celebrating “Constitution Day” on Tuesday September 17, 2024, in accordance with this federal legislation.

HCC Library Showcases Constitution Day September 17, 2024

HCC Library Celebrates 50 Years as a FDLP

HCC Library Books

Tues September 17, 2024: "Election!" Fall Exhibit at Hays-Heighe House

Constitution Day and National Voter Registration Day Interactive - Who Votes?

Tuesday September 17, 2024

11:10 AM  And 12:30 PM

"Election!" Fall Exhibit Walking Tours at Hays-Heighe House

Would you have been allowed to vote 100 years ago? How about 200 years ago? Learn how politicians have justified limiting voter eligibility throughout history and what has occasionally pushed them to broaden it. Discussion will include a review of who remains deprived of the right to vote.

 

Constitution Day is a celebration of the formation and signing of the U.S. Constitution by 39 of the 55 delegates to the Constitutional Convention on September 17, 1787. The date is also designated Citizenship Day to focus on the rights and responsibilities of citizens under the Constitution. Constitution Day at Harford strives to educate the campus community about the Constitution and citizenship, both historically and as they apply to today's challenges.

 

CLICK here for link to "Civil Liberties and the History Behind the Bill of Rights - Constitution Day 2023" presentation by HCC Professor of History Dr. James Karmel and HCC Professor of Political Science Dr. Stephanie Hallock

 

CLICK HERE for link to HCC Professor of Political Science Dr. Stephanie Hallock's CONSTITUTION DAY 2020 Prezi Presentation!

Constitution Day and Citizenship E-Resources

 Check out these online Constitution resources!

Find more documents and information on the Government Documents at HCC Library LibGuide, the Government Documents web page, and in the Library Catalog.

"America Reads the Constitution" Constitution Day 2021 celebration from Rice University

U.S. Constitution, Preamble, and Census 2020

Constitution Day Events for Tues Sept 17!

Constitution Day 2024

  • "Election!" Fall Exhibit Interactive Walking Tours at Hays-Heighe House at 11;10 AM & 12:30 PM - Looking at both the 1824 Elections during the time the Hays family occupied the property and the 1924 Elections during the time when the Heighe family were the occupants.  This activity is sponsored by Hays-Heighe House and HCC Library.

  • Student Government Association at 2nd Floor Library Patio from 11 AM to 2 PM - National Voter Registration Day and Giveaways  - register to vote and update your current registration with the Harford County Board of Elections and the League of Women Voters and the Harford County Chapter of the NAACP while enjoying fun activities and giveaways!
  • Meet a "Founding Father" while he visits campus classrooms and hands out Pocket Constitutions!
  • All day while HCC Library is Open - displays on the Constitution & the Bill of Rights. All kinds of giveaways and goodies including Pocket Constitutions and Constitution Day buttons at all service desks and on tables on the 2nd floor of Library!

Contact your Government Information Librarian

 

HCC Library has been a Federal Depository Library since 1967.

Contact Info:

Andie Craley

Technical Services & Government Information Librarian

acraley@harford.edu
443-412-2042

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Harford Community College Library
Contact:
librarians@harford.edu
443-412-2131

Library Hours

January 2 - 26

Mon - Thurs:  8 am - 7 pm

Friday: 8 am - 4:30 pm

Saturday & Sunday: Closed

Monday, January 20: Closed (MLK Jr. Day

The American Constitution

Constitution Day: The Freedom of Speech - 2015

Constitution Day & 200th Anniversary Star Spangled Banner - 2014

Schoolhouse Rock! "The Preamble" to the Constitution