Celebrate Freedom Week is This Week! Here’s What You Need to Know:

Today, September 17, is National Constitution Day when people across the United States commemorate the formation and signing of the U.S. Constitution. But did you know that this entire week is Celebrate Freedom Week in Texas public schools? Texas schools are required to celebrate the U.S. Constitution and other important historical events this week. See below to learn more:

• The celebration of Constitution Day is in federal statute. U.S. Code 36 §106.
• In 1956, President Dwight D. Eisenhower turned Constitution Day into Constitution Week by proclaiming the week of September 17th to be a dedicated week to commemorate the Constitution.
• The Texas Education Code §29.907 provides that students learn “the sacrifices made for freedom in the founding of this country… and the values on which the country was founded”.
• The documents that Texas schools discuss during this week are the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence and a specific focus on the Bill of Rights.
• Celebrate Freedom Week is listed in the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for Texas Social Studies courses
• Students in grades 3-12 are required to recite the preamble to the U.S. Constitution during this week.
• The Texas Education Agency has information and guidance on how to observe this week here.