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How ordinary citizen activists inspired Constitution Day

What happens when a multimillionaire media tycoon with 20 million readers decides America should celebrate “I Am an American Day”?

What happens when a multimillionaire media tycoon with an estimated 20 million readers and impressive political connections decides America should celebrate “I Am an American Day”?

Congress listens.

In 1939, William Randolph Hearst, the owner of the nation’s largest newspaper chain (and inspiration for the popular movie Citizen Kane), took a liking to nationwide “I Am an American Day” parades in cities like Milwaukee and Baltimore. His media company, the Hearst Corporation, began promoting these events, and by 1940, Hearst had successfully persuaded Congress to set aside the third Sunday in May as an official holiday; “the day shall be designated as ‘I Am an American Day.’”

The occasion was meant “for the recognition of all who, by coming of age or naturalization, have attained the status of citizenship” (it began with 21-year-olds — the voting age was lowered to 18 in 1971 — celebrating their new ability to vote). During the Second World War, “I Am an American Day” parades swelled to include millions of attendees, with President Franklin Roosevelt issuing annual proclamations: “It is even more essential in time of war … that a people should fully understand the form and genius of their Government and the responsibilities of citizenship,” he said.

In 1952, President Harry S. Truman changed the name to “Citizenship Day” and moved the date to September 17 — the same day the Constitution was signed. “It is most fitting that every citizen of the United States, whether native-born or foreign-born, should on September 17 of each year give special thought and consideration to his rights and responsibilities under our Constitution,” he proclaimed.

Two years later, President Dwight D. Eisenhower extended the celebration to include the whole week — Constitution Week, September 17 to 23. But whereas powerful men like Hearst wielded considerable political influence, this change came at the behest of an everyday mother and homemaker from Ohio.

Mrs. Olga T. Weber, a Constitution aficionado, proved the power of American citizenship when she pushed first for her municipality, then for her state, and finally for the federal government to celebrate the Constitution with a national holiday. Representative Frank T. Bow, who introduced the idea to Congress, credited Weber’s efforts as “one of the finest examples of Americanism I have ever witnessed.” Her hometown, Louisville, Ohio, was later renamed Constitution Town in her honor.

But, of course, a patriotic populace still couldn’t get enough. In 1997, Louise Leigh, a retired medical technologist, decided that Constitution Week fell short; America needed a Constitution Day as well. For seven years, her grassroots organization, Constitution Day Inc., campaigned for a distinct September 17th holiday to commemorate the nation’s charter. In December 2004, Senator Robert C. Byrd, known for carrying his pocket Constitution, slipped the measure into the Consolidated Appropriations Act of Fiscal Year 2005.

“September 17, 1787,” Byrd said, “marked the miracle in Philadelphia,” and September 17, 2005, marked the nation’s first official Constitution Day.

Today, Americans celebrate Citizenship Day and Constitution Day on the same day, while Constitution Week keeps the “supreme law of the land” front and center throughout the week. Unfortunately, despite these well-meaning gestures, constitutional literacy and adherence appear to be in decline.

In the tradition of citizen activists like Olga T. Weber and Louise Leigh, a new group has emerged to restore respect for the Constitution to Washington, DC. With millions of grassroots supporters nationwide, Convention of States seeks to activate a part of the Constitution that has never been used before: the Article V convention process.

The purpose is not to rewrite the Constitution — as Article V opponents frequently charge — but to reinstate the document’s original principles, which have been tarnished through many decades of federal abuse and neglect. By triggering a limited-purpose convention, the states can propose amendments forcing Congress and the federal government to follow the Constitution. Learn more here.

It’s time to put the timeless principles we celebrate on Constitution Day and throughout Constitution Week into practice. This week, we will be bringing you plenty of content about the Constitution, but that isn’t enough. You actually have to take action. President Calvin Coolidge hit the nail on the head when he said, “To live under the American Constitution is the greatest political privilege that was ever accorded to the human race.” It’s time to step up to defend that privilege and ensure our children and grandchildren enjoy it too.

Follow the Convention of States blog this week for more information about how you can make a difference and sign the petition below to get started!

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Created:	2025-07-30 23:10 GMT
Updated:	2025-09-24 07:00 GMT
Published:	2025-09-17 16:15 GMT
Converted:	2025-11-11 12:06 GMT
Change Author:	Jakob Fay
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