By Margaret Sackett
Burien resident

“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”

- Preamble to the United States Constitution, The Constitution of the United States | National Archives

Constitution Day is observed each year on Sept. 17, commemorating the signing of the Constitution on Sept. 17, 1787. Constitution Week runs from Sept. 17 through Sept. 23. Federal law requires every educational institution receiving federal funds to hold an educational program on the U.S. Constitution on Sept. 17.

In Washington, study of both the U.S. Constitution and the Washington State Constitution is required for public and private high school graduation.

Constitution Day is not just another date on the calendar. It’s a day to reflect on the values that make America exceptional, a day to remember the sacrifices made to establish a government “of the people, by the people, for the people,” and a day to emphasize citizens' responsibilities for protecting and defending the Constitution.

In teaching about citizenship, educators could also teach how immigrants can become US citizens, and encourage students to attend a naturalization ceremony to welcome new citizens. One such ceremony is held each July 4 at the Seattle Center.

I ask schools and teachers to make plans now in your classroom schedules for the required observance of Constitution Week, September 17-23, 2026.

Here are some things schools and teachers could personally do to promote this observance.

9 Ways to Bring Constitution Day Into the Classroom

Simple ideas for teachers, students, families and community members.

  1. Read the WHOLE Constitution.
  2. Take the Hillsdale Constitution 101 course.
  3. Sign up to be a Constitution Coach with Patriot Academy.
  4. Attend or support a student entering the American Legion Oratorical Contest (Moses Lake, WA, April 2-3, 2027)
  5. Share the Schoolhouse Rock preamble video.
  6. Record a “Constitution Minute” for your social media.
  7. Pass out pocket Constitutions, with permission.
  8. Ask your local school what it is doing for Constitution Day.
  9. Challenge students to memorize the Preamble.

References:

Federal Law Requires Constitution Education 

All federally funded schools are required to hold programs about the Constitution Federal Register : Notice of Implementation of Constitution Day and Citizenship Day on September 17 of Each Year

Washington State Law Requires Constitution Education for Graduation

Washington Law RCW 28a.230.170 states:

Study of constitutions compulsory—Rules.

“The study of the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the state of Washington shall be a condition prerequisite to graduation from the public and private high schools of this state. The superintendent of public instruction shall provide by rule for the implementation of this section. The superintendent of public instruction may adopt a rule permitting students who meet the criteria in RCW 28A.230.122 to meet the prerequisite through noncredit-based study.”

Editor’s Note: Margaret Sackett has been a Burien Resident since 1972.  Ms. Sackett spoke about Constitution Day to the Highline School Board on Sept. 16, 2026, and requested that they educate students about the Constitution. This article was adapted from her public testimony.

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