William Randolph Hearst operated several newspapers across the country during the first part of the twentieth century. During the 1930s, Hearst began to use his newspapers to promote his idea for a new national holiday. He wanted Americans to celebrate their citizenship. As a result of his efforts, Congress passed a resolution in 1940 to designate the third Sunday in May as I Am An American Day.
In 1952, during the presidency of Harry Truman, the observance of I Am An American Day was moved to September 17, the date the Constitution was signed in 1787. The official name was changed to Citizenship Day. Congress wanted to promote “the complete instruction of citizens in their responsibilities and opportunities as citizens of the United States and of the State and locality in which they reside.”
In 1951 a homemaker from the small town of Louisville, Ohio, named Olga T. Weber decided that something needed to be done to make sure Americans weren’t taking their freedoms for granted.
Mrs. Weber handed out copies of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights all around her town. She passed out booklets about the American flag. She gave this literature to Louisville citizens at schools, libraries, and churches. She wanted her fellow Americans to be proud of their country. She wanted them to know the history of their country and to be familiar with the documents that had made America strong. As a result of her efforts, the mayor of Louisville proclaimed September 17, 1952, as Constitution Day.
Mrs. Weber kept working, and her idea spread. The Ohio General Assembly proclaimed Constitution Day across the state in 1953. Two years later, the United States Senate and House of Representatives passed a bill that designated September 17-23 as Constitution Week throughout the United States. President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the bill into law.
Congress passed a law in 2004 which requires schools and government offices to observe the holiday that is now called Constitution Day and Citizenship Day. Each year during Constitution Week, thousands of United States residents become citizens of this country at special ceremonies.
Watch an inspiring video celebrating American ideals and showing new Americans taking the Naturalization Oath of Allegiance in 2016.
Find more resources at Homeschool History to help your family learn about the Constitution and citizenship.
(This information is taken from our Uncle Sam and You curriculum, which teaches students about civics and government and provides background information on holidays.)