Bill of Rights Defense Campaign

BILL OF RIGHTS Defense Committee - Working with communities to uphold the Bill of RightsWe the People
Working with communities to uphold the Bill of Rights
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Resources for Constitution Day

September 17

In 2005, for the first time, all U.S. educational institutions that receive federal funding must provide an educational program pertaining to the Constitution. This mandate applies to virtually all public school districts and many colleges and universities. Since September 17 falls on a Saturday this year, some schools are choosing a different day the week of September 12 to present information to their students and the community.

This holiday offers a good opportunity to help educators whom you know teach their students about the Constitution and Bill of Rights and about current threats to Constitutional Rights. Share the suggestions and resources noted above with local teachers, principals, and professors, and suggest any good local speakers who may be available for a program.

It is also an opportunity to reach out to other members of our community by engaging them in celebrating, studying, discussing, and upholding the Constitution and Bill of Rights. Here are some suggestions:

  • Put on a local reading of the Constitution. The National Constitution Center invites schools, workplaces, and organizations to participate in America Reads the Constitution. Their downloadable kit contains instructions, press materials, parts for 109 readers, and 50 optional additional readings from speeches of famous people.
  • Engage people in a Liberty Circle. The League of Women Voters website has a Liberty Circles toolkit.
  • Organize a discussion using the League of Women Voters' Local Voices project discussion guide.
  • Hold local public forums or town hall meetings emphasizing the Bill of Rights. Involve national, state, or local elected leaders.
  • Write an op-ed or letter to the editor about the day for your local paper, or record a commentary for local radio.
  • Meet with a local editorial board to suggest articles, and suggest that they devote a page to reprinting the Constitution in their paper as a service to their readers.

For more information: