Presidential Documents

48129 

Federal Register 

Vol. 74, No. 181 

Monday, September 21, 2009 

Title 3— 

The President 

Proclamation 8418 of September 16, 2009 

Constitution Day And Citizenship Day, Constitution Week, 

2009 

By the President of the United States of America 

A Proclamation 

The United States Constitution has withstood the test of time for more 

than two centuries as our Nation’s charter of government and the guarantor 

of our liberties. Signed in Philadelphia on September 17, 1787, this founding 

document reflects our core values and enshrines the truths set forth in 

the Declaration of Independence, that we are each endowed with certain 

unalienable rights. As the beneficiaries of these rights, all Americans have 

a solemn obligation to participate in our democracy so that it remains 

vibrant, strong, and responsive to the needs of our citizens. 

To succeed, the democracy established in our Constitution requires the 

active participation of its citizenry. Each of us has a responsibility to learn 

about our Constitution and teach younger generations about its contents 

and history. By fulfilling civic duties, engaging government at the local, 

State, and Federal level, and volunteering in our communities, individual 

citizens can better our country and breathe life into the freedoms established 

in the Constitution. 

The right to participate in self-government, and the many other freedoms 

guaranteed by our Constitution, inspire the dreams and ambitions of many 

inside and outside our borders. These principles serve as a beacon of hope 

for Americans and those who seek new lives in the United States. Every 

day, we welcome new and diverse stories and heritages into the great patchwork of our Nation. United by our devotion to the Constitution and to 

the civic engagement it inspires, Americans remain committed to the fundamental principles established over two hundred years ago. 

In remembrance of the signing of the Constitution and in recognition of 

the Americans who strive to uphold the duties and responsibilities of citizenship, the Congress, by joint resolution of February 29, 1952 (36 U.S.C. 

106), designated September 17 as ‘‘Constitution Day and Citizenship Day,’’ 

and by joint resolution of August 2, 1956 (36 U.S.C. 108), requested that 

the President proclaim the week beginning September 17 and ending September 23 of each year as ‘‘Constitution Week.’’ 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States 

of America, do hereby proclaim September 17, 2009, as Constitution Day 

and Citizenship Day, and September 17 through September 23, 2009, as 

Constitution Week. I encourage Federal, State, and local officials, as well 

as leaders of civic, social, and educational organizations, to conduct ceremonies and programs that celebrate our Constitution and reaffirm our rights 

and obligations as citizens of our great Nation. 


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48130 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 181 / Monday, September 21, 2009 / Presidential Documents 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this sixteenth day 

of September, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth. 

[FR Doc. E9–22881 

Filed 9–18–09; 11:15 am] 

Billing code 3195–W9–P 


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