Constitution Day

Picture of the constitution

Constitution Day became a national observance in 2004, when Senator Robert Byrd passed a bill designating September 17 as the day for citizens to commemorate the signing in 1787 of the U.S. Constitution and to learn more about our founding document. Senator Byrd once said, “Our ideals of freedom, set forth and realized in our Constitution, are our greatest export to the world.” He added the Constitution Day clause to his 2004 federal spending bill because he believed that all citizens should know about their rights as outlined in the Constitution.

PSU is proud to acknowledge how the Constitution has shaped and continues to shape our country’s history.

Constitution Day 2023

The PSU community is invited to a workshop and panel discussion on Monday, September 18th, 2023, from 12:15-2pm in the HUB Hage Room. This event is an opportunity for students, faculty, staff, and anyone else to discuss and learn more about how the Constitution is interpreted and applied in daily life and how those interpretations can change over time. It’s a great extra credit, club, or class visit opportunity and, we hope, of value to everyone.

This year we'll be examining the 1st Amendment right to political speech in the context of university life. Should we ban or "cancel" certain political opinions or is the solution to speech we don't like just more speech? Come discuss this with us!

The first half of the event will give students the opportunity to weigh in on a variety of topics ranging from Neo-Nazis on campus to controversial opinions in the classroom. The second half of the event will consist of a panel discussion with Q & A to contextualize and deepen the conversation. Panelists will be:

  • Dr. Jason Charrette, Professor of political science, an expert on foreign policy and conflict, and an experienced Constitution Day organizer.
  • Prof. Kelsie Eckert, Professor of social studies education, an award-winning secondary teacher, women’s history podcaster, and civic educator.
  • Prof. Rebecca Noel, Professor of history, chair of the History and Social Studies Education program, and New Hampshire Humanities lecturer.

Previous Constitution Days

The PSU community is invited to a workshop and panel discussion on Wednesday, September 14, from 12:30-2:00, in the HUB Hage Room, to mark Constitution Day 2022.

Attendees will engage with the Constitution itself, examining its structure and looking especially at amendments related to recent US Supreme Court decisions affecting individual rights. Small groups will also consider how this material can best be taught and publicized to sustain a civically healthy society.

The second half of the event will consist of a panel discussion followed by Q & A to contextualize and deepen the conversation. Panelists will be:

  • Dr. Jason Charrette, political science, an expert on foreign policy and conflict, and an experienced Constitution Day organizer.
  • Prof. Kelsie Eckert, social studies education, an award-winning secondary teacher, women’s history podcaster, and civic educator.
  • Prof. Mark Fischler, JD, criminal justice, a former public defender who now teaches about legal ethics and Constitutional law.

This event is an opportunity for students, faculty, staff, and our community to learn more about how the Constitution is interpreted and applied today. Refreshments will be served. All are welcome!