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Constitution Day

September 17 is recognized in the United States as Constitution Day and Citizenship Day. The purpose of Constitution Day and Citizenship Day, which was officially established in 2004, is 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. Federal law requires that all schools receiving federal funds hold an educational program for their students on September 17 of each year. This year marks the 225^th anniversary of the signing of the Constitution. James Madison University is the only university in the United States named for the fourth president, who is known as the Father of the U.S. Constitution.

Celebrate Constitution Day at JMU!

James Madison University will commemorate the day with a variety of activities on campus on Monday the 17^th, as well as a trip to James Madison’s Montpelier on Saturday the 22^nd.

Monday, September 17, 10am-2pm

The Commons (near D-Hall)

Pocket-sized copies of the Constitution will be distributed to the public, and cake will be served.  Sarah Everett, a JMU junior, will be present from 11am-1pm as James Madison, and will give a welcome at 11:30.

Saturday, September 22, 2pm-10pm (registration required)

JMU will be providing 68 JMU students with the opportunity to spend the afternoon at James Madison's Montpelier:

• The buses will be at the Godwin Hall parking lot (G Lot), at 2 p.m. for a 2:30 departure.  Busses will return to campus by approximately 10 p.m. (buses will depart Montpelier following the fireworks, which are scheduled to go off at 8 p.m.).
• The afternoon will include tours of the house, costumed historical interpretations, the United States Navy Band, Commodores Jazz and will conclude with fireworks.
• Hot air balloon rides will be available ($10/per person) starting at 4:30 p.m.
• Food vendors will be on site for you to purchase your dinner.
• Transportation and admission are being provided free of charge!  Space is limited, so please register early.

For our JMU teachers (or any others), Constitution-related lesson plans and classroom programming ideas are available online at www.jmu.edu/ConstitutionDay/Lessons.