Elon College U.S.A. Bicentennial Collection

In 1952, the President of the United States issued an annual proclamation designating September 17th of every year as Citizenship Day. It commemorates the signing of the U.S. Constitution and recognizes all citizens of the United States. In 1955, the Daughters of the American Revolution proposed devoting an entire week, Constitution Week, beginning on September 17th of every year to the Constitution of the United States. From 1987 to 1991, the United States commemorated the Bicentennial of the Constitution by celebrating the formation of the federal government under the Constitution, the first presidency, the first federal judiciary, and the ratification of the Bill of Rights. College campuses from all across the United States applied to become recognized as Bicentennial Campuses by the Commission on the Bicentennial of the United States Constitution and to participate in patriotic activities. Elon College applied to become a Bicentennial Campus on July 20, 1987 and was granted the award in a letter dated February 10, 1988. As a Bicentennial Campus, commemoration included teaching the origins and fundamentals of the Constitution and American Government in schools. College campuses included activities such as special events, conferences, training, and plays as a recognized Bicentennial Campus. Resources, educational materials, curriculum development were also organized and included as part of the Bicentennial Campus. The Commission on the Bicentennial of the United States Constitution outlined a specific five-year program for recognized institutions. Each event and activity was tied to mark an important anniversary of the United States. In addition, each campus linked their needs to the requirements as a Bicentennial Campus.