The 200th anniversary of the United States Constitution was celebrated nationwide with grand ceremonies, educational programs, and commemorative events coordinated by the Commission on the Bicentennial of the United States Constitution under Chief Justice Warren E. Burger.
The United States Constitution turned 200 years old in 1987 marking a momentous milestone in American history. This significant anniversary sparked nationwide celebrations known as the Constitutional Bicentennial commemorating two centuries of American democracy and constitutional governance.
From 1987 to 1991 Americans celebrated this historic occasion through various events parades exhibitions and educational programs. The celebrations kicked off on September 17 1987 - exactly 200 years after the Constitution's original signing in Philadelphia. Led by the Commission on the Bicentennial of the United States Constitution chaired by Chief Justice Warren E. Burger the commemoration aimed to educate citizens about the Constitution's enduring importance and promote civic engagement across the nation.
The 1987 Constitutional Bicentennial Celebration
#The Constitutional Bicentennial marked a pivotal moment in American history through nationwide commemorative events orchestrated by the Commission on the Bicentennial of the United States Constitution.
Key Dates and Events
#The celebration launched on September 17, 1987, with "Grand Federal Processions" in Philadelphia recreating the original 1788 ratification parades. Key commemorative events included:
- Opening ceremonies at Independence Hall featuring President Ronald Reagan
- Bell-ringing ceremonies across 50 states at 4 p.m. EDT
- Historic ship parades in major port cities including New York Boston
- Educational programs in 20,000 schools nationwide
- State-specific exhibitions in all 13 original colonies
| Event Type | Number of Participants | Location Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| School Programs | 4.5 million students | 20,000 schools |
| Public Ceremonies | 1.2 million attendees | 50 states |
| Museum Exhibits | 800,000 visitors | 87 locations |
- Congressional joint resolutions recognizing the Constitution's importance
- Special postage stamps featuring Constitutional themes
- Television broadcasts reaching 140 million viewers
- Commemorative coins issued by the U.S. Mint
- Educational materials distributed to libraries nationwide
| Media Coverage | Reach |
|---|---|
| TV Broadcasts | 140 million |
| Print Media | 65 million |
| Radio Programs | 83 million |
Commission on the Bicentennial
#The Commission on the Bicentennial of the United States Constitution served as the official coordinating body for the 200th anniversary celebrations. Congress established this federal agency in 1983 through Public Law 98-101 to oversee the nationwide commemoration.
Formation and Purpose
#Former Chief Justice Warren E. Burger led the 23-member commission as its chairman from 1985 to 1992. The commission received $25 million in federal funding to develop educational programs about constitutional principles. Its primary objectives included promoting public understanding of the Constitution's history, encouraging civic participation, and coordinating celebratory events across all 50 states.
Major Initiatives
#The commission launched five signature programs that reached millions of Americans:
- Created the National Bicentennial Competition on the Constitution for secondary schools, engaging 75,000 students
- Distributed 25 million educational materials to schools nationwide
- Established 56 Constitution State Centers in every state territory
- Organized 200 traveling exhibits that visited 90 cities
- Produced 27 television specials reaching 140 million viewers
| Initiative Type | Reach/Impact |
|---|---|
| School Programs | 75,000 students |
| Educational Materials | 25 million copies |
| State Centers | 56 locations |
| Traveling Exhibits | 90 cities |
| TV Broadcasts | 140 million viewers |
The commission partnered with organizations including the National Archives, Library of Congress, Smithsonian Institution to execute these programs effectively.
Nationwide Commemorative Activities
#The Constitutional Bicentennial sparked extensive celebrations across America, featuring coordinated events in all 50 states. These activities engaged millions of citizens through diverse programs designed to honor the Constitution's 200th anniversary.
State-Level Celebrations
#Each state organized unique commemorative events tailored to their historical connection to the Constitution. Notable celebrations included:
- Massachusetts hosted 12 historical reenactments at significant Revolutionary War sites
- Virginia conducted 8 symposiums featuring constitutional scholars at historic courthouses
- New York organized 15 maritime parades along its coastal cities
- Pennsylvania coordinated 25 colonial-era festivals in Philadelphia
- Delaware sponsored 6 traveling exhibits highlighting its role as the first state to ratify
The state celebrations attracted these participation numbers:
| State Activity Type | Number of Participants |
|---|---|
| Public Ceremonies | 1.2 million |
| Historic Site Tours | 950,000 |
| Community Festivals | 750,000 |
| Museum Exhibitions | 800,000 |
Educational Programs
#Educational institutions implemented specialized constitutional curriculum programs reaching students nationwide. Key initiatives included:
- Distribution of 25 million Constitution study guides to K-12 schools
- Implementation of "We the People" competitions in 20,000 high schools
- Creation of 56 Constitution State Centers for teacher training
- Development of 15 interactive educational exhibits for museums
- Production of 27 educational television programs for classroom use
| Program Type | Number of Participants |
|---|---|
| K-12 Students | 4.5 million |
| Teachers Trained | 125,000 |
| College Programs | 750,000 |
| Youth Organizations | 850,000 |
Historic Sites and Exhibits
#Historic landmarks across America transformed into educational venues during the Constitutional Bicentennial, featuring specialized exhibits that highlighted different aspects of constitutional history.
Constitutional Hall Events
#Independence Hall in Philadelphia served as the centerpiece of bicentennial celebrations, hosting 275,000 visitors during signature events. The hall's Grand Assembly Room, where the original Constitution signing occurred, featured daily reenactments with costumed interpreters portraying the Founding Fathers. Special exhibitions included:
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Original Constitutional documents on loan from the National Archives
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Interactive displays showcasing the ratification debates
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Period artifacts from 1787 Philadelphia
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Historical documents from state constitutional conventions
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Multimedia presentations depicting the Constitution's evolution
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"We the People" showcase visiting 125 cities
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"Seeds of the Constitution" display at 85 universities
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"Forging the Republic" exhibit at 150 public libraries
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"Constitutional Heritage" collection in 90 state capitols
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"American Democracy" presentation at 175 historical societies
| Exhibition Name | Number of Locations | Total Visitors |
|---|---|---|
| We the People | 125 | 850,000 |
| Seeds of the Constitution | 85 | 375,000 |
| Forging the Republic | 150 | 425,000 |
| Constitutional Heritage | 90 | 250,000 |
| American Democracy | 175 | 200,000 |
Legacy of the Bicentennial Celebration
#The Constitutional Bicentennial celebration created lasting impacts on American civic education through permanent programs that continue today. The "We the People" educational program, launched during the bicentennial, expanded to reach 30 million students across 45,000 schools since 1987. This program established a network of 150 Constitutional Resource Centers that provide ongoing teacher training and educational materials.
Digital preservation initiatives from the bicentennial period resulted in comprehensive online archives. The National Archives' Constitutional Database, created in 1987, now contains 75,000 digitized documents accessed by 2.5 million researchers annually. The Library of Congress Constitutional Repository maintains 25,000 bicentennial-related materials available for public research.
| Legacy Program | Impact Statistics |
|---|---|
| We the People Program | 30 million students |
| Constitutional Resource Centers | 150 centers nationwide |
| Digital Archive Access | 2.5 million annual users |
| Preserved Materials | 25,000 items |
| Participating Schools | 45,000 institutions |
Physical commemorations from the celebration remain prominent fixtures in public spaces:
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Constitution Gardens in Washington D.C. features 12 permanent exhibits installed during the bicentennial
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The National Constitution Center in Philadelphia opened in 1989 as a direct result of bicentennial planning
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35 state capitals display Constitutional Heritage monuments erected during the celebrations
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200 time capsules planted nationwide contain bicentennial materials scheduled for opening in 2087
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Standardized constitutional curriculum guidelines adopted by 42 states
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Annual Constitution Day observances in federal agencies
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Interactive teaching methodologies developed for constitutional education
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Enhanced preservation protocols for historical documents
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Expanded public access programs at constitutional landmarks
Key Takeaways
#- The Constitutional Bicentennial was officially celebrated from 1987 to 1991, marking the 200th anniversary of the U.S. Constitution's signing.
- The main celebration launched on September 17, 1987, featuring nationwide events including ceremonies at Independence Hall, bell-ringing across all 50 states, and educational programs in 20,000 schools.
- The Commission on the Bicentennial, chaired by Chief Justice Warren E. Burger, received $25 million in federal funding to coordinate nationwide commemorative activities.
- Major initiatives reached millions of Americans through educational programs, with 25 million study materials distributed to schools and 140 million viewers reached through television broadcasts.
- The celebration's legacy includes the creation of permanent programs like "We the People," which has reached 30 million students, and the establishment of 150 Constitutional Resource Centers nationwide.
Conclusion
#The Constitutional Bicentennial celebration of 1987-1991 stands as one of America's most comprehensive and impactful commemorative events. Its nationwide reach engaged millions of citizens through diverse educational programs cultural celebrations and civic activities that honored the Constitution's enduring legacy.
The celebration's lasting impact continues through permanent educational initiatives digital archives and physical monuments across the country. These elements serve as powerful reminders of both the Constitution's fundamental importance and the successful nationwide collaboration that marked its 200th anniversary.
The bicentennial's emphasis on education civic engagement and historical preservation has helped ensure that future generations will understand and appreciate the significance of America's founding document.