OSU to celebrate Constitution Day, inviting conversations, varied perspectives

Tuesday, September 8, 2026

Media Contact: Jade Dudley | Marketing & Communications Coordinator, OSU Library | 405-744-7331 | jade.dudley@okstate.edu

Every year, Oklahoma State University celebrates Constitution Day on Sept. 17 by encouraging OSU students, faculty, staff and Stillwater community members to share their thoughts and reflect on an aspect of the U.S. Constitution.

This year, the chosen phrase is “Provide for the common defense,” prompting participants to reflect on and respond to it.

All responses are welcome, and those that adhere to the OSU comment policy will be included in the public display. Participants can submit their six-word responses through the form found on the Contemplating the Constitution website. OSU students who participate can enter for a chance to win one of five $200 scholarships.

Last year’s responses to the phrase, “Ensure domestic tranquility,” are recorded on the Contemplating the Constitution archive.

Constitution Day, or Citizenship Day, is a federal observance that recognizes the ratification of the U.S. Constitution and those who have become U.S. citizens. It is observed on Sept. 17; the day the Constitutional Convention signed the Constitution in 1787.

The law establishing the holiday was created in 2004 with the passage of an amendment by West Virginia Sen. Robert Byrd to the Omnibus spending bill of 2004. Before this law was enacted, the holiday was known as “Citizenship Day.”

In addition to renaming the holiday "Constitution Day and Citizenship Day," the act mandates that all publicly funded educational institutions provide educational programming on the history of the American Constitution on that day. In May 2005, the Department of Education announced the enactment of this law and that it would apply to any school receiving federal funds of any kind.

Constitution Day activities are inspired by The Race Card Project and are co-sponsored by the OSU Library, OSU Department of Political Science and Pi Sigma Alpha.