MIT is among many educational institutions that observe Constitution Day every year on Sept. 17. On this day 228 years ago, 39 delegates gathered in Philadelphia to sign the final draft of the U.S. Constitution, establishing the framework of the fledgling United States government and the rights and freedoms of Americans.
Constitution Day is an opportunity for everyone in the MIT community to reflect upon and honor this historic document. Here are a few ways to participate:
Attend the Constitution Day talk and discussion: “Politics and the Supreme Court.” Presented by Chris Warshaw, assistant professor of political science, this event will take place at 3 p.m. in Room E53-482.
Register to vote. The Cambridge Election Commission will be available to register eligible voters from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Lobby 10. (Note: You must be a U.S. citizen to register.) While you’re there, pick up a pocket-sized Constitution!
Refresh your Constitutional knowledge. If you’ve forgotten what you learned about the Constitution in school, re-familiarize yourself by:
- Trying an interactive quiz to find out how well you know the Constitution.
- Reviewing an MIT OpenCourseWare class on a topic related to the Constitution, such as American Political Thought, Law and Society in U.S. History, or The American Revolution.
- Check out resources from the National Constitution Center (NCC), including the NCC’s blog, podcasts, and videos, to explore the ongoing analysis and debate of constitutional issues.
