Presidential Documents

57837 

Federal Register 

Vol. 75, No. 183 

Wednesday, September 22, 2010 

Title 3— 

The President 

Proclamation 8562 of September 16, 2010 

Constitution Day and Citizenship Day, Constitution Week, 

2010 

By the President of the United States of America 

A Proclamation 

The summer of 1787 was a watershed moment in our Nation’s history. 

In the span of four short months, delegates to the Constitutional Convention 

in Philadelphia established a Constitution for the United States of America, 

signing the finished charter on September 17, 1787. With their signatures, 

and subsequent ratification of the Constitution by the States, the Framers 

advanced our national journey. 

On Constitution Day and Citizenship Day, and during Constitution Week, 

we commemorate the legacy passed down to us from our Nation’s Founders. 

Our Constitution, with the Bill of Rights and amendments, has stood the 

test of time, steering our country through times of prosperity and peace, 

and guiding us through the depths of internal conflict and war. Because 

of the wisdom of those who have shaped our Nation’s founding documents, 

and the sacrifices of those who have defended America for over two centuries, 

we enjoy unprecedented freedoms and opportunities. As beneficiaries, we 

have a solemn duty to participate in our vibrant democracy so that it 

remains strong and responsive to the needs of our people. 

Each year, thousands of candidates for citizenship commemorate Constitution 

Day and Citizenship Day by becoming new American citizens. These individuals breathe life into our Constitution by learning about its significance 

and the rights it enshrines, and then by taking a solemn oath to ‘‘support 

and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America.’’ 

In so doing, they voluntarily accept that citizenship is not merely a collection 

of rights, but also a set of responsibilities. Just as our Founders sought 

to secure the ‘‘Blessings of Liberty’’ for themselves and their posterity, these 

new Americans have come to our shores to embrace and impart the fundamental beliefs that define us as a Nation. 

In the United States, our Constitution is not simply words written on aging 

parchment, but a foundation of government, a protector of liberties, and 

a guarantee that we are all free to shape our own destiny. As we celebrate 

this document’s profound impact on our everyday lives, may all Americans 

strive to uphold its vision of freedom and justice for all. 

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, 2010, as Constitution Day 

and Citizenship Day, and September 17 through September 23, 2010, as 

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


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57838 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 183 / Wednesday, September 22, 2010 / Presidential Documents 

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

and obligations as citizens of this great Nation. 

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

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

[FR Doc. 2010–23898 

Filed 9–21–10; 11:15 am] 

Billing code 3195–W0–P 


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