Welcome to the Department of Defense Constitution Day and Citizenship Day Website

Knowing what is in the U.S. Constitution and why the Constitution is relevant to us today is fundamental to our being able to defend it. As federal civil servants supporting the Department of Defense, we have a special obligation to understand and appreciate the U.S. Constitution and the role we each play in providing 'for the common defense'.


September 17 has been designated as Constitution Day and Citizenship Day to commemorate the signing of the Constitution in Philadelphia on September 17, 1787. Specifically, Congressional Appropriations Bill H.R. 4818, P.L. 108-447, requires Federal agencies to provide new employees with educational and training materials on the U.S. Constitution as part of the new employee orientation materials; and provide all Federal agency employees educational and training materials on the Constitution on September 17th.

This website and the U.S. Constitution course that follows were developed for DoD to celebrate Constitution Day and Citizenship Day and to assist DoD employees in learning more about this most powerful and enduring document, the U.S. Constitution.

Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, Associate Justice (Ret.) of the U.S. Supreme Court, speaks to all Defense Department personnel on Constitution Day and Citizenship Day.

After reviewing the two questions:
  • Click the trophy to take an interactive exercise.
  • Take the quiz.
  • Print your certificate.
There are several learning objectives for this course. At the conclusion of the course you will be able to:
  • Recognize the major political events that necessitated the writing of the U.S. Constitution.
  • Identify the basic concepts embodied in the U.S. Constitution.
  • Recall the direct link that DoD employees have with the U.S. Constitution.
Total estimated time for course completion:
  • 15 - 20 minutes for basic course
  • 30 - 45 minutes for basic course plus extra material
Feedback


© 2005 United States Department of Defense               



Accessibility/Section 508 |  FOIA |  Inspector General |  No FEAR Act |  Privacy & Security |  USA.gov