Did You Know Today is Constitution Day?
Topic: Education is Key
That’s right—on September 17, 1787, the delegates to the Constitutional Convention signed the U.S. Constitution in Philadelphia. That’s why today is officially recognized as Constitution Day.
A Little-Known Federal Law
Here’s something most people don’t realize: according to Public Law 108-447, every school district in America that accepts federal funding is required to teach the Constitution to their students on September 17th (or on a nearby day if the 17th falls on a weekend).
How did this happen? In December of 2004, President George W. Bush signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act, and tucked inside that massive bill was Section 111(a). This section requires:
Every federal agency to provide its employees with educational materials on the Constitution each year on September 17th.
Every federally funded school to hold an educational program on the Constitution for its students on that day.
Here’s the key part of the law in plain English: if a school takes federal money, it’s supposed to teach the Constitution—by law.
The Drama Behind the Constitution
We often treat the Constitution like it was drafted smoothly and unanimously. The truth? It was anything but.
The Convention Almost Collapsed. By June 1787, tempers were so high that some delegates threatened to walk out. Small states and large states fought bitterly over representation. At times, the whole effort seemed doomed.
Franklin’s Call to Prayer. It was Benjamin Franklin—at 81 years old—who famously urged the delegates to pause and pray. He reminded them that they had prayed during the Revolution and asked, “And have we now forgotten this powerful Friend?” That moment helped reset the room and move the Convention forward.
Compromise Was the Key. The “Great Compromise” gave us a bicameral legislature—one chamber (House) based on population and the other (Senate) with equal votes for each state. Without this, the Constitution may never have been signed.
Not Everyone Was Happy. Several delegates actually refused to sign the finished Constitution, fearing it gave too much power to the federal government. The Bill of Rights was later added to calm those fears and secure ratification.
In other words: the Constitution wasn’t born from perfect unity. It was born out of disagreement, perseverance, faith, and the belief that liberty was worth fighting for.
The Problem Today
Unfortunately, surveys suggest that nearly 90% of schools don’t comply with the Constitution Day law. Why? In most cases, they simply don’t know it exists.
This is where you come in. One of the easiest ways to make a difference is to attend your next school board meeting and ask: “What did our district do for Constitution Day?” Chances are you’ll be met with blank stares. That’s your cue to share the law, educate your board, and encourage them to adopt a plan for next year.
Where to Find Resources
The good news is you don’t have to reinvent the wheel. Patriot Academy has created a fantastic, ready-to-go 45-minute presentation designed specifically for schools. It’s simple, engaging, and best of all—it’s free.
👉 You can access the presentation here: Patriot Academy Constitution Day Resources
Final Thought
The Constitution is more than parchment under glass in a museum. It’s the foundation of our Republic, and it’s our responsibility to make sure the next generation understands it.
And maybe that’s the most powerful takeaway from Constitution Day: if our Founding Fathers could fight, pray, and compromise their way through impossible disagreements to give us this framework of liberty, the least we can do is make sure our kids know it exists.
So today, take a moment to celebrate. And tomorrow, consider how you can help bring the Constitution back into your local schools and communities.
Great article, Toni. I had no idea there was a law for this.