Recognizing U.S. Constitution Day 2025

Duke celebrates Constitution Day on Wednesday

The preamble to the US Constitution

September 17 is designated by law as Constitution Day, which commemorates the signing of the U.S. Constitution in 1787 and recognizes new citizens.

As the nation recognizes Constitution Day this year (on Wednesday), Stephen Buckley, new interim director of the Polis Center for Politics at the Sanford School of Public Policy, reminds us why it’s important.

“Our Constitution is our North Star. It reminds us that no one is above the law, and that we are all protected by our laws,” said Buckley. “It also anchors us to basic freedoms — freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom to assemble, and so on — that allow us to be a nation in which we can challenge one another civilly and passionately, while also honoring the right of others to hold views that are different from ours.”

One of Duke Chapel’s carillonneurs, Aaron Colston, will play music specific to Constitution Day, including “Star Spangled Banner,” “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” and “Stars and Stripes Forever.” People can listen to the music from the chapel’s bells on Duke’s West Campus and also watch a livestream of the recital on Constitution Day (and every week) at 5:00 p.m. on Duke Chapel’s Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/DukeChapel/ .

National Voter Registration Day

This year, Constitution Day falls the day after National Voter Registration Day. National Voter Registration Day is on Tuesday, September 16, and activities at Duke will promote civic engagement and the Constitution’s role in developing a knowledgeable citizenry. During the day (weather permitting), Duke Votes and other partner organizations will host voter registration tabling and activities on Bryan Center Plaza on West Campus from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and in Marketplace on East Campus from 5:30 p.m.-8 p.m.

In Durham, the 2025 Municipal Primary will be held on Tuesday, October 7, with early voting open from Thursday, September 18, through Saturday, October 4. The 2025 Municipal General Election will be held on Tuesday, November 4. Early voting for general elections begins October 16. More information about voting can be found on the Duke Votes website.