Vol. 37, Number 8—August 2005

Federal Judiciary Helps Celebrate Constitution Day

Marking Constitution Day in some way this year is required by federal law for all federal agencies and thousands of schools. The federal Judiciary is ready to help with a numberof on-line resources.

Constitution-related fact sheets, legal landmarks, interactive games, and other activities have been compiled and posted to the Judiciary's website at www.uscourts.gov. The materials can be used in the classroom or as hand-outs for employees. There are, for example, handouts on the importance of having a written Constitution, games that test knowledge of the Constitution's fundamentals, and Supreme Court simulations on First and Fourth Amendment cases. Courts also may invite local schools to watch a Judiciary network pre-recorded question-and-answer session between high school students and Justices Sandra Day O'Connor and Stephen Breyer. The program will be broadcast September 16 and 20.

In December 2004, Congress passed legislation mandating that each year on the anniversary of the Constitution's adoption in September 1787, federal agencies must provide educational and training materials on the Constitution to their employees. In addition, 2005. all educational institutions receiving federal funds must hold educational programs on the Constitution.

Senator Robert Byrd (D-VA) sponsored the original legislation to create Constitution Day, which was subsequently included in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2005. In its support, Byrd cited a 2000 survey that found only 51 percent of Americans would vote for passage of the U.S. Constitution if it were presented in ballot form today.

"My hope is that observances of Constitution Day would encourage Columbia in August 1982 and all citizens to learn more about the Constitution and their government," said Byrd. ". . . It is fitting and appropriate that we honor the document that established this government and that we as a nation take steps to ensure that our Constitution and our system of government are known, understood, and cherished by the people they were established to serve."

Since the anniversary date, September 17, falls on a Saturday in 2005, the day officially will be observed on September 16.