National Archives Celebrates Constitution Day in September
Press Release · Friday, August 6, 2010

Washington, DC

The home of the Original U.S. Constitution holds special programs on September 17 and 21

In celebration of the 223rd anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Constitution, the National Archives presents a daylong schedule of special events and programs on September 17 (Constitution Day) and an evening panel discussion with constitutional scholars on September 21. These events are free and open to the public.

The National Archives has the original Constitution on permanent display in the Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom of the National Archives Building, located on Constitution Avenue between 7th and 9th Streets, NW, Washington, D.C. Exhibit Hall hours are 10 a.m.–7 p.m. daily, through September 7. Beginning Tuesday, September 8, hours are 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m. daily, but closed on Thanksgiving Day and December 25. Metro accessible on the yellow and green lines, Archives/Navy Memorial stop.

Friday, September 17—Constitution Day

1 p.m.–2 p.m. Happy Birthday, U.S. Constitution!
Location: Jefferson and Washington Conference Rooms
The first 223 guests will receive a piece of birthday cake and meet First Lady Dolley Madison as she describes White House entertainment in the early 19th century.

2:30 p.m. Dolley Madison
Location: William G. McGowan Theater
Tony Award–winning actress Eve Best is Dolley Madison in the docudrama from PBS American Experience series. (2010; 60 minutes.)

Tuesday, September 21, at 7 p.m.—Panel Discussion

The State of the Constitution: What Every American Should Know
How much do the American people really understand about the Constitution of the United States?
William G. McGowan Theater

The National Archives Experience is pleased to host the Center for the Constitution at James Madison’s Montpelier for their 4th Annual Claude Moore Lecture. The Center for the Constitution has been conducting a nationwide survey of people in the United States to study the public’s understanding of American constitutional principles. The survey was developed with input from numerous constitutional scholars across the country, and tonight we reveal the results! The distinguished panel includes Constitution scholar Michael Meyerson, University of Baltimore School of Law; Chuck Quigley, executive director of the Center for Civic Education; and Cokie Roberts, senior news analyst for NPR. The panel will be moderated by Michael Quinn, president of the Montpelier Foundation.

For more information on National Archives programs, the public should call the Public Programs Line at: (202) 357-5000, or view the Calendar of Events online. The National Archives is fully accessible. If you need to request an accommodation (e.g., sign language interpreter) for a public program please e-mail public.program@nara.gov or call 202-357-5000 at least two weeks prior to the event to ensure proper arrangements are secured.

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For Press information, contact the National Archives Public Affairs staff at (202) 357-5300.

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