Constitution Day 2026

Constitution Day is the annual celebration of the day that representatives to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia completed and signed the U.S. Constitution in 1787. The observance of this day began as “I am an American Day” in 1940 and later as Citizenship Day in 1952 when the celebration was moved to September 17 to commemorate the signing of the original document. Constitution Day as we observe it today was recognized as a federal holiday in 2004, when Senator Robert Byrd passed a bill designating September 17 as the day for citizens to commemorate the signing of the U.S. Constitution and to thoughtfully engage with the nation’s founding document.

On Friday, September 18, 2026, the American Founding Group and the School of Public and International Affairs will host a celebration of Constitution Day. The centerpiece of these festivities is a lecture by Richard Primus, Theodore J. St. Antoine Collegiate Professor at the University of Michigan Law School.

Prior to the lecture, the UGA Libraries will host “Constitution on the Quad,” featuring Constitutional trivia and student readings of the Constitution. In addition, historical documents and materials related to the American founding and U.S. Constitution will be on display at the Special Collections Libraries from the Hargrett Rare Book & Manuscript Library.

For more information about the 2026 Constitution Day celebration at UGA, click here.

WHEN:

Friday, September 18, 2026
1:30 pm  |  Constitution in the Quad: Constitutional trivia and student readings of the Constitution
1:30 pm  |  Display of historical documents and artifacts in Special Collections Libraries Atrium
2:00-3:00 pm  |  Lecture by Professor Primus

WHERE:

Richard B. Russell Special Collections Libraries
Auditorium (271)
300 S Hull St
Athens, GA 30605
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EVENT PARKING:

Free parking is available for off-campus (non-affiliate) visitors in the Hull Street Deck.  Please contact us in advance of your arrival at 706-542-6331 or [email protected] to receive a parking coupon code or ask for one at the 1st floor Security Desk upon arrival. One-time use coupon codes can be redeemed at the 3rd level parking kiosk, located in the center of the deck near the elevators and pedestrian bridge.  The kiosk requires both a parking coupon code and your vehicle license plate number. The coupon will validate parking for the day.  Pay parking is available in the Hull Street Deck after 1pm.  Entry to the deck is at the south entrance near Baxter Street.

Please note that UGA faculty, staff, and students cannot utilize the coupon redemption system, and should pay the hourly rate at the kiosk after 1pm in order to avoid a citation.

For more parking information, visit the Special Collections Libraries website.

ACCESSIBILITY:

Access can be provided for people with disabilities. Contact Lauren Ledbetter at [email protected] by Wednesday, September 9, 2026 for specific requests.

QUESTIONS:

Lauren Ledbetter at [email protected] or 706-975-8443
Keith Dougherty at [email protected] or 706-542-2989

For more information about the 2026 Constitution Day celebration at UGA, click here.

The content and opinions expressed during events hosted by the School of Public & International events do not necessarily reflect the views of nor are they endorsed by the University of Georgia or the University System of Georgia.