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The Founding Fathers declared their independence from Britain 250 years ago. But the semiquincentennial celebrations didn’t end after Independence Day – and this week, the spotlight shifts from declarations of liberty to the framework that safeguarded it for more than two centuries. On Sept. 17, the Constitution turns 239.
Constitution Day/Citizenship Day comes around every year – and you can read more about both the history of this foundational document and the holiday to celebrate it in Kelli Ballard’s “Constitution Day – America’s Forgotten Birthday.” But this year’s festivities feature a slightly different focus.
Washington, DC: The Constitution in Full
Have you ever visited the National Archives in Washington, DC? If so, you know the three documents, together known as the Charters of Freedom – the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights – are on display, but only in a limited capacity.
Most days, pages one and four of the Constitution are the only pages shown to minimize light exposure to the middle pages. Page one bears the oversized “We the People” introduction, and page four has the signatures. But on special anniversary events, the other two pages are brought out to celebrate. To commemorate this very special America 250 anniversary, not only will all four pages be displayed, but a fifth page will join the others.
On Sept. 17, 1787, George Washington signed “page five” of the Constitution, which includes instructions on how the document should be submitted to the states for ratification. It has been publicly displayed only twice before this. The first was the 225th anniversary of the Constitution in 2012. In 2025 was the first time all five pages were exhibited along with the Bill of Rights and all 27 amendments.
Philadelphia: The Civic Decade
For this special event, Philadelphia gets to claim the largest Constitution Day gathering this year. It will begin with a naturalization ceremony, in which 50 immigrants from around the world will take their formal Oath of Allegiance to become US citizens at the National Constitution Center, just across the lawn from Independence Hall. That’s where both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were drafted and signed.
Throughout the day, visitors and school groups can cast votes in historic voting booths and sign their names on a giant replica of the Constitution – or, like the original dissenters George Mason, Edmund Randolph, and Elbridge Gerry, sign a list protesting the lack of a Bill of Rights instead.
The center is using this anniversary to launch what organizers call the Civic Decade, an educational program connecting this year’s 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence to the upcoming 250th anniversaries of the Constitution in 2037 and the Bill of Rights in 2041.
In the Classroom: The Historical Perspective Via Modern Tech
As Ballard wrote in her historical article, Constitution Day isn’t just a holiday; it’s a day of Constitution-dedicated educational programs mandated by federal law. This year brings some upcoming applications of that law, including nationwide digital linkups between schools and federal institutions.
The National Constitution Center, for example, is streaming live exchanges featuring historical interpreters portraying Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. Students around the country can submit questions directly about how the ideals of 1776 became the legal mechanics of 1787.
Some classes are participating in live, interactive document-analysis sessions called Decoding the Documents workshops. Students can examine high-resolution scans of the original draft notes and debates.
In another program, thousands of schools nationwide are joining simultaneous live readings of the 52-word Preamble at 12:30 p.m. Eastern.
July 4 may be the birthday of American liberty – but Sept. 17 is the day that high ideal was put into practical and lasting action. And on this Constitution Day, we’re looking to the future as much as the past.
4 Questions
The story, in brief
Why is Constitution Day 2026 getting special attention this year?
The year marks the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, so Constitution Day is being tied to the wider America 250 celebration. The focus shifts from declaring liberty to honoring the constitutional framework that protected it for more than two centuries.
What rare Constitution display will the National Archives show in Washington?
The National Archives will display all four pages of the Constitution, including the two middle pages that are usually not shown. A fifth page, signed by George Washington on Sept. 17, 1787, will also be exhibited. That page gives instructions for submitting the Constitution to the states for ratification.
What will happen at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia?
The day will begin with a naturalization ceremony for 50 immigrants from around the world, who will take the Oath of Allegiance to become U.S. citizens. Visitors and school groups can also vote in historic booths, sign a giant Constitution replica, or add their names to a protest list about the lack of a Bill of Rights.
How will students around the country take part in Constitution Day 2026?
Schools will connect digitally with federal institutions through live educational programs. The National Constitution Center is streaming exchanges with interpreters portraying Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, and some classes will join document-analysis workshops using high-resolution scans of draft notes and debates. Thousands of schools are also set to take part in simultaneous live readings of the 52-word Preamble at 12:30 p.m. Eastern.
