TO: Principals and Social Studies Supervisors

FROM: Marcie Taylor-Thoma, Ph.D., Coordinator of Social Studies

DATE: September 1, 2009

A federal law enacted in December 2004 designates September 17 as “Constitution and Citizenship Day,” to commemorate the signing of the United States Constitution on September 17, 1787. The federal law is included in Section 111 of Pub.L. 108-44 (Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2005). It contains the following provision in Section 111 (b): “Each educational institution that receives Federal funds in the fiscal year shall hold an educational program on the United States Constitution on September 17 of such year for the students served by the educational institution.”

There are numerous references to the U.S. Constitution, the Maryland Constitution, and the rights and responsibilities of citizenship in the Social Studies State Curriculum, Pre-K – 8th grade and Government SC, both of which are located at: www.mdk12.org.

I hope you find this information useful as you plan activities to comply with the federal law. If you should need additional assistance, please feel free to call me at 410.767.0519 or Email: mthoma@msde.state.md.us. Teachers may also refer to the following websites for additional resources.

National Constitution Center (Lesson Plans)
(note: click on the Education tab for free resources)

Interactive Save the Bill of Rights game

The National Archives (Constitution Game and other Resources)

Center for Civic Education (Lesson Plans)

Bill of Rights Institute (Lesson Plans)

PBS Lesson Plan (Why Celebrate Constitution Day?)

Maryland Judiciary Website with Constitution related activities

Constitution Day Resources