On September 17, 1787, the Constitution of the United States was adopted by delegates to the Constitutional Convention meeting at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. After being ratified by nine of the original thirteen states, the U.S. Constitution replaced the first constitution of the U.S. – the Articles of Confederation – on June 21, 1788. The U.S. Constitution provides the basic framework for our national government, including the basic principles of federalism, checks and balances, and separation of powers. Articles 1 through 3 of the U.S. Constitution establish the three branches of the U.S. federal government (legislative, executive, and judicial). The Bill of Rights, which includes freedom of speech and other essential civil liberties enjoyed by all American citizens, is the first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution. For more information regarding Constitution Day, please contact Dr. Mark Mullenbach, UCA Department of Government, Public Service, and International Studies, markm@uca.edu or 501-450-3412.
“Constitution Day” Commemoration Event at UCA, September 17, 2026
Day/Time: Thursday, September 17, 2026, 4:00pm-5:00pm
Location: McCastlain Hall, Room #143
Welcoming Comments: President Houston Davis, University of Central Arkansas
Guest Speaker: Judge Price Marshall, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas
Sponsors: UCA Department of Government, Public Service, and International Studies; UCA Chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha, Political Science Honors Society; and the UCA Pre-Law Society
Previous Constitution Day Commemorations
Important Links:
National Archives – Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution, and Bill of Rights
National Constitution Center – Constitution Day
National Constitution Center – Constitution of the United States (printable)
Findlaw.Com – Amendments to the U.S. Constitution
Library of Congress – Federalist Papers
The Judicial Branch of the U.S. Government
Executive Branch of the U.S. Government