2024 Constitution Day Events
To mark the day, a number of presentations will occur during September. All events are open to the public.
Thursday, September 19, 2024
Noon
Room 7200, University of Wisconsin Law School
975 Bascom Mall
Madison, WI 53706 United States
The Spirit of Amity: The Constitution’s Forgotten Cover Letter and the Original Meaning of Civility
Drawing on his forthcoming book about George Washington’s letter transmitting the U.S. Constitution to Congress, Professor Derek Webb will discuss what Washington meant by “the spirit of amity”–a disposition Washington asserted was indispensable to the creation of the Constitution. Professor Webb will explore what that concept meant to the founding generation; how it played out at a few key moments during the debates over the creation and ratification of the Constitution; and how it differs in some ways from contemporary understandings of civility.
Organizer: The Center for the Study of Liberal Democracy, UW Law School
Visit The Center for Liberal Democracy for more information.
Constitutional Resources
Constitution of the United States
Produced by the National Archives and Records Administration, this site includes a transcript of the Constitution, images of the original document and other facts and background information.
Teaching with documents: observing Constitution Day
Also produced by the National Archives and Records Administration, this site offers activities, lesson plans and other information for teachers and students at all levels.
National Constitution Center
Center for the Study of the American Constitution
This non-profit, non-partisan center is dedicated to serving scholars, educators, and students who are interested in the American Constitution in its historical context.
President George W. Bush signed a bill on December 8, 2004 (Public Law 108-447) that designates every September 17 as Constitution Day. All institutions of higher education that receive federal funding are required to prepare a program to inform students about the U.S. Constitution.