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Departmental Papers (ASC) Annenberg School for Communication

2014 What Day Means and Why it Matters Kathleen Hall Jamieson University of Pennsylvania, [email protected]

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Recommended Citation Jamieson, K. H. (2014). What Constitution Day Means and Why it Matters. Social Education, 78 (4), 160-164. Retrieved from https://repository.upenn.edu/asc_papers/738

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Disciplines Communication | Social and Behavioral Sciences | Social Influence and Political Communication

This journal article is available at ScholarlyCommons: https://repository.upenn.edu/asc_papers/738 Social Education 78(4), pp 160–164 ©2014 National Council for the Social Studies Looking at the Law What Constitution Day Means and Why it Matters

Kathleen Hall Jamieson

As John Stuart Mill noted in his treatise on Representative Government, individuals noted Franklin Burdette, the executive who constitute a nationality “are united among themselves by common sympathies secretary of the National Foundation for which do not exist between them and any others” and also by “the possession of a Education in American Citizenship, in national history, and consequent community of recollections....”1 To create national 1942, “the recognition program involves identity, societies designate occasions in which their members recommit themselves not only a day of impressive ceremonies to basic communal values. , , Independence Day, Presidents for the induction of first voters but also a Day and Martin Luther King Day are among the holidays performing these functions preliminary period of classes or forums in the . to study national and local governmen- tal machinery and problems as well as For almost three quarters of a century, observed, “It is said to be the practice democratic ideals and customs.”6 On advocates have worked to give compa- of certain patriotic societies to celebrate that occasion in 1944, Attorney General rable federal stature to 17, the seventeenth of September—the day Francis Biddle told an audience in Ohio the day on which we celebrate the anni- on which the Constitution was signed that more “foreigners” had become citi- versary of the 1787 signing of the U.S. by the members of the convention—as zens in the past year than in any year Constitution by the nation’s founders. ‘Constitution Day.’” He then asked, since began.7 As President John F. Kennedy noted in “Why should not this excellent prac- As in other fronts of the war effort, his 1961 Constitution Day proclamation, tice be made universal?”4 That year, the news and entertainment indus- it is a day for “ceremonies” set up to the governors in 20 states proclaimed tries were called on to do their part to “inspire all our citizens to keep the faith September 17th Constitution Day. By promote “I Am An American Day.” A of our Founding Fathers and to carry out one estimate more than 20,000 celebra- 16-minute Warner Brothers 1944 film, the ideals of United States citizenship.”2 tions took place in churches, schools and I Am An American, featured newsreel The need was explained by President public venues across the nation.5 In 1939, clips of Hollywood stars making patri- Ronald Reagan in 1981. “While a consti- Wisconsin took an additional step by otic appeals.8 A surviving newsreel tution set forth rights and liberties,” directing local schools to sponsor a day from 1945 notes that more than a mil- he noted, “only the citizens can maintain of citizenship education. lion New Yorkers gathered in Central and guarantee those freedoms. Active Unsurprisingly, each of the federal Park to celebrate the day by welcom- and informed citizenship is not just a steps taken to institutionalize such a ing new naturalized citizens as well as right; it is a duty.”3 After briefly chroni- day in 1940, 1952, 1965, and 2004 those who had assumed the duties and cling the evolution of Constitution Day occurred when nationalistic sentiments responsibilities of citizenship by turn- and defending the value of educating were running high and loyalty was a ing 21.9 The Central Park commemora- students about this founding document, matter of special concern. In each case, tion, in particular, presents an interesting I will note ways that social studies teach- the country was either contemplating constitutional lesson. As Burdette noted, ers can translate the ideals articulated by entering or already engaged in war. As “both the language of the joint resolution Kennedy and Reagan into their class- World War II raged in Europe in 1940, and many public utterances connected rooms and into the lives of the nation’s Public Resolution 67 (54 Stat. 178) des- with it tend to foster the misimpression future leaders this September 17th. ignated the third Sunday in May each that the native-born become citizens year as Citizenship Day and specified only when they are of age.”10 Instead, of The Origins of Constitution Day that it would be known as “I Am An course, Section One of the Fourteenth and Citizenship Day American Day.” Amendment states that “All persons born In 1919, attorney Walter Evans Hampton “When most effectively organized,” or naturalized in the United States, and

Social Education 160 Students gather around the National Constitution Center’s replica printing press from the 1700s, where they can print a copy of the Preamble.

(Courtesy of the National Constitution Center. Visit constitutioncenter.org, for Constitution Day les- son plans and other free resources.)

subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are the designation of September 17 to To the security of a free consti- citizens of the United States and of the “Constitution Day and Citizenship Day” tution it contributes in various State wherein they reside.” By 1949, gov- and added both the requirement that ways—by convincing those who ernors of all, then, 48 states issued “I Am federal agencies provide their employ- are intrusted [sic] with the public An American Day” proclamations. ees with educational materials about administration that every valu- In 1952, Congress repealed Public the Constitution and one stipulating able end of government is best Resolution 67 and passed a new piece that educational institutions receiving answered by the enlightened of legislation, which moved “I Am An federal funds do the same for their stu- confidence of the people, and by American Day” to September 17, which dents.12 Byrd’s reasoning was straightfor- teaching the people themselves was the day the Constitution was signed. ward. “September 17 is more important to know and to value their own The day was renamed “Citizenship Day.” to our everyday lives than Columbus rights; to discern and provide In a Citizenship Day address, President Day, more important to our everyday against invasions of them; to Truman expressed the hope that “the cer- lives than Thanksgiving, more important distinguish between oppression emonies and the activities here today will to our everyday lives than the Fourth and the necessary exercise of launch an annual celebration that will of .”13 lawful authority; … to discrimi- increase in meaning and influence among nate the spirit of liberty from that our people as the years go by.”11 Thirteen Importance of Understanding the of licentiousness—cherishing years later, in 1965, Congress extended Constitution the first, avoiding the last—and the period for commemoration from The notion that the citizenry should uniting a speedy but temperate one day to one week. “Citizenship Day” understand the country’s founding vigilance against encroachments, on September 17 became “Constitution documents is long lived. For George with an inviolable respect to the Week,” beginning September 17 and Washington, knowledge was “the sur- laws.14 ending September 23. At the urging est basis of public happiness…” In 1790, Unsurprisingly then, Tocqueville of West Virginia Senator Robert Byrd the first president’s annual message to would observe in nineteenth century (D), in 2004, Congress then changed Congress argued: New England, “every citizen receives

September 2014 161 the elementary notions of human knowl- found just under seven in ten twelfth resolution; 16% thought it needed edge; he is taught, moreover, the doc- graders reporting that they had stud- to be sent back to the lower courts. trines and the evidences of his religion, ied the U.S. Constitution in that year.19 the history of his country, and the lead- Evidence gathered by the Annenberg Our September 2013 Annenberg study ing features of its Constitution.”15 The Public Policy Center is consistent with confirmed the results of our earlier work belief in the importance of understand- that uncovered by NAEP. Some of our and offered compelling evidence that ing the Constitution survives in recent unsettling findings include: civics education and knowledge matter. times. In a 2003 Annenberg survey, As in the past, we found that having taken members of the public, parents, teach- a civics course in high school predicted ers and school administrators reported a knowledge of our system of govern- high level of public agreement about the ment. Those with an understanding of civic functions of public schooling. Over such basics of American government as half agreed that it is “absolutely essential” checks and balances were less likely to or “very important” that fourth graders believe that judges should be impeached understand that the rules of American or court jurisdiction stripped when government are established in a docu- unpopular rulings are handed down. At ment called the Constitution and can the same time, they were more likely to give an example of a right protected by reject the notion that under some circum- the Constitution. At the same time, more stances it might simply be best to abolish than six in ten concurred that eighth the Supreme Court. Not only does civics graders should be able to understand the education increase basic knowledge of idea of separation of powers in American our system of government and its his- government.16 tory and laws, but it also increases confi- Despite the important role that civics dence in one’s ability to exercise the pre- education plays in sustaining our system rogatives of citizenship by heightening of government, the number of civics and students’ confidence in their ability to government courses taken by students perform such participatory functions as has declined over the past generation. The National Constitution Center’s Constitution voting and writing a letter to Congress.20 Day celebration features interactive program- The 2011 Guardian of Democracy: ming for students of all ages. Here, students Civic Mission of Schools report found create crepe paper American flags and “Happy Increasing the Accessibility of that “until the 1960s, three high school Birthday, Constitution” signs. No-Cost, High-Quality Educational courses in civics and government were Materials on the Constitution (Courtesy of the National Constitution Center. Visit constitu- common, and two of them explored the tioncenter.org, for Constitution Day lesson plans and other In an effort to raise the visibility of role of citizens and encouraged students free resources.) Constitution Day and increase the use to discuss current issues….What remains of high quality, no cost civics materi- is a single course on American govern- als in our schools, 26 nonpartisan and ment that usually spends little time on • Only one third of Americans nonprofit organizations have forged an how people can—and why they should— surveyed could name all three unusual and far-reaching partnership participate as citizens.”17 branches of government; one third called the Civics Renewal Network Whatever the cause, the public knows couldn’t name any. (CRN). Set to launch on Constitution less about the U.S. system of government • Just over one third of those sur- Day 2014, the CRN website (www.civ- than Washington would have liked or veyed thought that the framers icsrenewalnetwork.org) will house care- Tocqueville expected. As Guardian intended that each branch of gov- fully vetted classroom resources. The of Democracy noted, “well more than ernment hold a lot of power with network is a project of the Leonore two thirds of all American students the president having the final say. Annenberg Institute for Civics, at the scored below proficient on the National • Almost a third of those surveyed Annenberg Public Policy Center of Assessment of Educational Progress mistakenly believed that a U.S. the University of Pennsylvania. Among (NAEP Civics Assessment) and on that Supreme Court ruling could be the partners in the network are the test “less than one-third of eighth grad- appealed. American Bar Association, the Library ers could identify the historical purpose • When the Supreme Court divides of Congress, the National Archives and of the Declaration of Independence.”18 5-4, roughly one in four Americans Records Administration, the Newseum, Moreover, despite the requirement of surveyed believed that the deci- Rock the Vote, the U.S. Courts, George the Byrd amendment, NAEP 2010 sion was referred to Congress for Washington’s Mount Vernon, the

Social Education 162 National Constitution Center, and the the 52 words at the beginning of the mer Congressman Lee Hamilton wrote, National Endowment for the Humanities’ Constitution, go to constitutioncenter. “Knowledge of our system of government EDSITEment Project. The site will pro- org. Then post pictures of your class to and our rights and responsibilities as vide links to the best of the 26 organi- the CRN website! citizens is not passed along through the zations’ resources for all grade levels, As a reminder that September 17 is gene pool. Each generation of Americans aligned to curriculum standards, and Citizenship and Constitution Day, on must be taught these basics.”21 Actively using a variety of approaches, includ- that day the federal courts will host more involving students in exercises of citi- ing videos, games, lesson plans, primary than 20 naturalization ceremonies across zenship on Constitution Day not only sources and more. This Constitution Day, the nation, with a special ceremony at the satisfies the requirements of the Byrd September 17, 2014, the Civics Renewal National Archives, which will be web- Amendment but opens the possibility Network will feature its groups’ materials cast live mid-morning from the CRN site. that what they learn will inspire and on the Bill of Rights, a focus for this year. Teachers are invited to contact their local inform those who will lead the nation in All of the constitutional resources, how- federal courts to see if there is a natural- the years ahead. ever, will be available throughout the ization ceremony in a community near year in one location, courtesy of CRN. them. If so, it may be possible to arrange Notes To raise national awareness of the for seating to observe, or to participate 1. Robert Maynard Hutchins, ed., Great Books of the Western World (Chicago: Encyclopedia Britannica, importance of civics education, CRN by singing the national anthem, leading Inc., 1952), 424. will also fill Constitution Day 2014 with the Pledge of Allegiance, serving as the 2. John F. Kennedy, Proclamation 3404—Citizenship Day and Constitution Week, 1961, April 5, 1961. a series of web-accessible events, starting color guard, or writing letters of wel- Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The with one that teachers and classrooms come to the new citizens. American Presidency Project, www.presidency.ucsb. across the United States can join: the Those who increase understanding of edu/ws/?pid=24132. 3. Ronald Reagan, Proclamation 4858—Citizenship Constitution Preamble Challenge. To and appreciation for the Constitution are Day and Constitution Week, 1981, September 16, add your classroom to those around the performing a critical function. As former 1981. Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project, www.presidency. country on Constitution Day reciting Justice Sandra Day O’Connor and for- ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=44265.

still struggling with the COMMON CORE? WE HAVE THE CURE! “I WISH THAT I HAD THESE MATERIALS IN SCHOOL. THEY BRING POLITICS ALIVE AND MAKE PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGNS forTeachersof RELEVANT.” – Bill Moyers Teaching Core Content, Critical Thinking Skills, Inquiry, Questioning, Common Core Literacy Skills, Civics, C-3 framework. • Hundreds of free curriculum kits and materials • Video demonstrations of Constructivist Media Decoding

Government, in classrooms and Consulting, professional History, development, and workshops also Law available www.insightsmagazine.org Integrating media literacy and critical thinking into the core curriculum projectlooksharp.org/ncss

September 2014 163 4. Walter Evans Hampton, “A ‘Constitution Day.’” The 14. George Washington, First Annual Message to 20. Melissa K. Comber, “Civics Curriculum and Civic Constitutional Review (1919): 16–19, www.loc.gov/ Congress on the State of the Union, 8, 1790. Skills: Recent Evidence,” CIRCLE Fact Sheet law/help/commemorative-observations/pdf/constitu- Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The (2003), www.civicyouth.org/fact-sheet-civics-cur tion_day_1.pdf. American Presidency Project, www.presidency.ucsb. riculum-and-civic-skills-recent-evidence. 5. Henry Campbell Black, “The Observance of edu/ws/?pid=29431. 21. Gould, 5. Constitution Day,” The Constitutional Review IV 15. Alexis de Tocqueville, Democracy in America, vol. (1920): 46–48. 1, 3rd ed. (Cambridge, Mass: Sever and Francis, 6. Franklin L. Burdette, “Education for Citizenship,” 1863), 63. Public Opinion Quarterly 6 (1942): 277. 16. The Civic Mission of Schools (New York: Carnegie Kathleen Hall Jamieson is the Elizabeth Ware 7. Francis Biddle, “I Am An American” (speech, Corporation of New York and CIRCLE: The Packard Professor at the Annenberg School for Com- Middletown, Ohio, May 21, 1944) US Department Center for Information and Research on Civic munication of the University of Pennsylvania. of Justice, www.justice.gov/ag/aghistory/ Learning and Engagement, 2003), http://civic biddle/1944/05-21-1944pro.pdf. mission.s3.amazonaws.com/118/f7/1/172/2003_Civic_ Mission_of_Schools_Report.pdf. 8. TCM, “I Am an American (1944)”, www.tcm.com/ this-month/article.html?isPreview=&id=484241|4882 17. Jonathan Gould, ed. Guardian of Democracy: The The content in this article does not necessarily 98&name=I-Am-an-American. Civic Mission of Schools (Philadelphia: The represent the official policies of the American 9. “‘I Am An American Day’ 1941 and 1945,” YouTube Leonore Annenberg Institute for Civics of the video, 3:25, posted by lagarchivist, July 3, 2012, Annenberg Public Policy Center at the University Bar Association, its Board of Governors, or the of Pennsylvania, and the Campaign for the Civic www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_rblnJjRC4. Mission of Schools, 2011): 27, http://civicmission. ABA Standing Committee on Public Education. 10. Burdette, 277. s3.amazonaws.com/118/f0/5/171/1/Guardian-of- 11. Harry S. Truman, Proclamation 2680—“I Am an Democracy-report.pdf. American Day,” 1946. 18. Gould, 14. 12. Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2005, H.R. 4818, 19. National Center for Education Statistics, “The 108th Cong, 3344–3345. (2004). Nation’s Report Card: Summary of Major Findings” 13. Title 36—Patriotic and National Observances, (2010), www.nationsreportcard.gov/civics_2010/sum- Ceremonies, and Organizations, Pub. L. 105–225, mary.asp. 112 Stat. 1253 (1998).

Preparing for Constitution Day: Civics Renewal Network Suggested Resources The following organizations are members of the Civics American Bar Association Renewal Network, and provide resources at www.civics www.abaconstitution.org renewalnetwork.org. The ABA Division for Public Education offers lesson plans, con- Administrative Office of the EDSITEment Partnership, versation starters, and other resources to prepare for Constitution U.S. Courts National Endowment for the Day. In addition, think about inviting a lawyer, judge, or legislator Humanities American Bar Association from your community to your classroom to discuss the Constitution Division for Public Education George Washington’s Mount or constitutional issues. Vernon Annenberg Public Policy Constitution Hall Pass: Constitution Day 2014 Center at the University of Gilder Lehrman Institute of Pennsylvania American History constitutioncenter.org/constitutionday Travel through American history—without leaving the classroom! Bill of Rights Institute iCivics This special Constitution Day episode of Constitution Hall Pass Center for Civic Education James Madison Memorial provides a behind-the-scenes look at how laws are made in the Fellowship Foundation Center on Congress at United States. Tune in to an online video lesson and live chat, Indiana University Library of Congress September 8–19 (live chat weekdays only), 7am-6pm EDT. Constitutional Rights National Archives and National History Education Clearinghouse Foundation Records Administration http://teachinghistory.org/spotlight/constitution-day Constitutional Rights National Constitution Center Foundation Chicago One-stop-shopping for primary source documents, political car- National History Day toons, articles, and quizzes that could be used as part of a lesson Constitutional Sources Newseum or activity on Constitution Day. Project Rock the Vote Dirksen Congressional Center Teaching with Documents: Observing Constitution Day Share My Lesson www.archives.gov/education/lessons/constitution-day/ Edward Kennedy Institute for Smithsonian Media Portal from the National Archives provides primary source docu- the United States Senate ments, biographies of the Constitution signers, and other materials. Street Law, Inc. What So Proudly We Hail

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