Civics In A Year
What do you really know about American government, the Constitution, and your rights as a citizen?
Civics in a Year is a fast-paced podcast series that delivers essential civic knowledge in just 10 minutes per episode. Over the course of a year, we’ll explore 250 key questions—from the founding documents and branches of government to civil liberties, elections, and public participation.
Rooted in the Civic Literacy Curriculum from the Center for American Civics at Arizona State University, this series is a collaborative project supported by the School of Civic and Economic Thought and Leadership. Each episode is designed to spark curiosity, strengthen constitutional understanding, and encourage active citizenship.
Whether you're a student, educator, or lifelong learner, Civics in a Year will guide you through the building blocks of American democracy—one question at a time.
Civics In A Year
Kids Edition Constitution Day: How a Document Changed the Course of History
We explore why Constitution Day matters by comparing the U.S. Constitution to the rulebook of a sports team, showing how both prevent chaos and establish fair play. On September 17, 1787, the founders created not just a document but a revolutionary system where power comes from the people rather than kings or rulers.
• The Constitution serves as America's rulebook, similar to how sports teams need rules to function
• Signed on September 17, 1787, the Constitution established how our new country would operate
• Revolutionary concept that power comes from "We the People" instead of kings
• The U.S. Constitution is the oldest written national constitution still in use today (230+ years)
• The document can be amended when needed, as demonstrated by the Bill of Rights
• Many schools celebrate by having students read the preamble aloud
• Constitution Day is especially meaningful for new citizens taking their oath of citizenship
• The Constitution represents a promise that our government is built by the people and for the people
Check Out the Civic Literacy Curriculum!
School of Civic and Economic Thought and Leadership
Hi everyone, welcome back to Civic Senior Kids Edition. So I got a question for you. Why do we celebrate Constitution Day? Let's start with something you might know well a sports team. Think about soccer. If your team showed up to play without rules, what would happen? Some kids might grab the ball with their hands, others might run in different directions and the game would be total chaos. This is why sports need rules. Everyone knows how the game works, who's in charge of what and how to solve problems when they come up.
Speaker 1:Well, back in 1787, the founders of our country faced the same kind of challenge, but on a much bigger scale. They needed rules for how a brand new country, the United States of America, would work. On September 17, 1787, a group of delegates in Philadelphia signed a document they had worked on for months. That document was the US Constitution. A constitution is like our nation's rule book. It explains how the government is set up, what powers each branch has and, most importantly, it says the power comes from the people. That was a huge deal. It meant no more kings. Instead, we, the people, would decide how we are governed.
Speaker 1:So why do we celebrate Constitution Day every year on September 17th? Because the Constitution is the foundation of our republic. It is the reason we have presidents instead of kings, elections instead of rulers and rights that protect every person. Think of Constitution Day like a team celebrating the day they agreed on the rules of the game. Without those rules, the team couldn't even play together. There's something cool the Constitution is the oldest written national constitution still used today. Other countries have written new ones, but ours has lasted more than 230 years and it's not frozen in time. We can amend it or make changes when the people decide it's needed. That's how we got the Bill of Rights, which protects the freedom of speech, freedom of religion and many important rights.
Speaker 1:There's a real story about Constitution Day. In many schools across America, kids celebrate by reading the preamble out loud. Together, we, the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America. In some places, like at a courthouse or community center, people from all over the world who want to become American citizens take the oath of citizenship on Constitution Day. They raise their right hand and promise to follow the Constitution and be a part of we, the People. For them, constitution Day is extra special. It's the day they officially joined the American team.
Speaker 1:So why do we celebrate Constitution Day? Because it reminds us of an agreement that holds our country together. It's not just a piece of paper. It's a promise that our government is built by us and for us. So next time September 17th rolls around, you'll know it's more than just another day. It's a celebration of the rules that give us freedom, fairness and a voice in our government. I'm Liz, and this has been Civics in a Year Kids Edition. Thanks for listening and remember, just like on a team, our country does better when we all know the rules and
