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Constitution Day

Constitution Day

Constitution Day celebrates the pivotal moment on September 17, 1787, when the United States Constitution was signed by the nation’s founding fathers.

Although they acknowledged that the document was not flawless, they were enthusiastic about its potential to lay the groundwork for improved lives for citizens and to provide a framework for ongoing progress.

They envisioned a system that would allow for continuous improvement and adaptation as societal values and beliefs evolved over time. At Virginia Tech, Constitution Day is an opportunity to learn more about the Constitution, explore the rights and freedoms it protects, and consider the role each of us plays in our communities and our country. This Constitution Day, take a moment to learn, reflect, and make your voice count.

Why Is the Financial Aid Office Talking About This?

You may be wondering what Constitution Day has to do with financial aid.
Federal law requires educational institutions that receive federal funding to hold an educational program about the U.S. Constitution each year on or around September 17, Constitution Day.
That is why Constitution Day appears on our calendar each year.
While the requirement is federal, the purpose goes beyond compliance. Constitution Day is an opportunity to learn more about the document that established the framework of the U.S. government and to consider how constitutional rights, responsibilities, and principles continue to shape our lives today.
So yes, Constitution Day may seem like an unexpected topic for a financial aid office, but it is one of the many federal requirements connected to the work we do.
And if you're already here, why not test your Constitution knowledge, explore how constitutional principles show up in campus life, and learn something new?

Constitution Day Talk: “The Impossibility of American Constitutional Democracy?”

Join the Virginia Tech community for a thought-provoking Constitution Day conversation with Professor Stephen M. Joyce of Radford University.
As America celebrates 250 years since its founding, questions about the future of American constitutional democracy remain as relevant as ever. With voices across the political spectrum expressing concern about the challenges facing the country, this timely discussion will explore the role of the Constitution in navigating those challenges. Can the Constitution, or changes to it, help address the problems facing the nation? And is there enough common ground left to move forward?
Thursday, September 17
7:00–8:30 p.m.
Torgersen Hall, Room 2150
This event is sponsored by Phi Alpha Delta at Virginia Tech and the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences Freedom Scholars Program.
For more information, contact Wayne Moore at wmoore@vt.edu.

The Constitution & You

The U.S. Constitution may have been written more than 200 years ago, but the rights and principles it establishes are still part of your everyday life. From expressing your opinions to practicing your faith, constitutional questions can show up in ways you might not expect, including on a college campus.

The First Amendment protects freedom of speech, including many forms of expression at public universities. But that doesn't mean all speech is protected in every situation. Universities may establish certain rules related to things such as the time, place, and manner of expression, and some categories of speech are not protected by the First Amendment. The balance between free expression and maintaining a safe, functioning campus can raise important constitutional questions.

The First Amendment protects both the free exercise of religion and against government establishment of religion. At a public university, students may practice their faith, express religious beliefs, and participate in religious student organizations. Students also have the right not to participate in religious activities. These protections help create a campus where people with different religious beliefs, as well as those with no religious beliefs, can participate in university life.

Freedom of the press is protected by the First Amendment, and student journalists play an important role in informing their campus communities. At public colleges and universities, student media may have significant First Amendment protections, although the specific legal protections can depend on factors such as how a publication is organized, funded, and controlled.

The Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments include protections related to due process of law. At a public university, due process can become relevant when government action could deprive a student of certain protected interests. What process is required depends on the circumstances, but the basic idea is that government institutions must follow fair procedures when making certain decisions that significantly affect an individual.

The First Amendment protects the rights to peacefully assemble and petition the government, along with freedom of speech. These protections are particularly important at public universities, where students have a long history of using demonstrations, rallies, petitions, and other forms of expression to make their voices heard. Universities may establish lawful, content-neutral rules governing when, where, and how certain activities take place.

The Fourteenth Amendment's Equal Protection Clause generally requires states and other state actors to provide equal protection of the laws. This principle has played a major role in constitutional cases involving discrimination, civil rights, education, and equal treatment under the law.

Where do you see the Constitution in your life?

The next time you share an opinion, read the news, attend a demonstration, practice your faith, sign a petition, or participate in civic life, consider the constitutional principles that help shape those experiences.
The Constitution isn't just history. It's part of the world you're living in today.

Celebrate Constitution Day with our Trivia Quiz

Here’s your chance to flex your brainpower, celebrate our foundational document, and maybe have a bit of fun while you’re at it. Test your knowledge and honor the rights that let us debate with the confidence of knowing we have the right to do so. Dive in and let’s see if you’re a constitutional connoisseur or just a well-intentioned patriot with a lot of guesses. Either way, you’re helping to keep our civic spirit alive! Make sure to take the quiz in presenter view for the best experience.

Take the Quiz Now
Celebrate Constitution Day trivia quiz

Want to learn more?

  • Visit the Library of Congress Website to watch a video on the making of the United States Constitution. 
  • Listen to podcasts from the National Constitution Center to hear the insightful arguments about all aspects of the United States Constitution. 
  • Download your own personal Pocket Constitution App for your iPhone from the National Constitution Center.

The series' flagship event will celebrate the constitutional origins of patents, the history of inventor rights, and their continuing relevance in an era of rapid technological advancement. For more information visit the Virginia Tech News article.