September 17: Constitution Day and Citizenship Day

As you may or may not know, Monday, September 17, is a very significant day for all U.S. citizens. Why is that, you ask?

September 17 has been designated as Constitution Day and Citizenship Day to commemorate the signing of the Constitution in Philadelphia on September 17, 1787. Specifically, Congressional Appropriations Bill H.R. 4818, P.L. 108-447, requires Federal agencies to provide new employees with educational and training materials on the U.S. Constitution as part of the new employee orientation materials; and provide all Federal agency employees educational and training materials on the Constitution on September 17th.

Knowing what is in the U.S. Constitution and why the Constitution is relevant to us today is fundamental to our being able to defend it. As federal civil servants supporting the Department of Defense, we have a special obligation to understand and appreciate the U.S. Constitution and the role we each play in providing ‘for the common defense’.

To learn more about this most powerful and enduring document, the U.S. Constitution, please visit the Constitution Day website and take the U.S. Constitution course to celebrate Constitution Day and Citizenship Day.