Constitution Day 2025: Nation Marks 238th Anniversary of Founding Charter

Lead: Americans across the country gathered on September 17, 2025, to celebrate Constitution Day with educational programs, public ceremonies and the presentation of a presidential letter to new citizens, underscoring the enduring importance of the nation’s founding document.

Nut Graf: Commemorating the signing of the U.S. Constitution on September 17, 1787, federal agencies, museums and schools observed the day through interactive exhibits, mandated classroom activities and naturalization ceremonies, reinforcing civic knowledge on the eve of the nation’s semiquincentennial.

National Constitution Center Hosts Festival of Civic Engagement

The National Constitution Center in Philadelphia opened its doors from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., offering free admission and a lineup of events including a Preamble reading, hands-on workshops and arts activities. Highlights featured the launch of the America at 250 CivicToolkit, an interactive digital resource on the Declaration and the Constitution, plus a lively naturalization ceremony for recent immigrants and a birthday cake reception for the Charter of Freedom’s anniversary.

Federal Agencies Emphasize Educational Programs

Under a Department of Education directive, every federally funded institution conducted an educational program on the Constitution, ranging from classroom debates to interactive lesson plans. The agency provided links to museums and online materials to help teachers design age-appropriate activities, ensuring all students engaged with the principles of consent of the governed and separation of powers.

President’s Letter Presented at Naturalization Ceremonies

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services incorporated a letter from President Trump into today’s naturalization ceremonies, urging new citizens to “safeguard, honor and respect” the Constitution as a “sacred trust.” DHS officials said the message reaffirmed the solemn responsibility of citizenship and celebrated the rule of law restored under the current administration.

Local Events and Community Engagement

Across state capitals and local communities, libraries and historical societies staged Constitution trivia contests, poster-making events and public forums on landmark Supreme Court cases. Many venues offered “Charters of Freedom” viewings of original documents, while civic organizations hosted voter-registration drives and panel discussions on the Constitution’s relevance in contemporary debates.

Looking Ahead to the Semiquincentennial

As America prepares to mark its 250th anniversary of independence in 2026, today’s Constitution Day observances highlight a renewed focus on civic education and public participation in democracy-fundamental tenets enshrined in the nation’s oldest governing charter.