By: Gabe Ortiz |americasvoice.org

This month marks 20 years since the first federal recognition of Constitution Day and Citizenship Day, which is observed on September 17 and encourages U.S. citizens to learn about their civic responsibilities. It’s also historically been a day for prospective U.S. citizens to complete the naturalization process, whether it’s submitting their application forms or raising their right hands to take the Oath of Allegiance.

While the federal law officially designating the observation was passed in 2004, what we know today as Constitution Day and Citizenship Day was first commemorated in various forms as far back as the 1930s and 1940s, when President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed a resolution recognizing the third Sunday in May as “I Am An American Citizenship Day,” said the Congressional Research Service.

“In 1952, I Am An American Citizenship Day was renamed to Citizenship Day and the observance date was moved from May 3 to September 17 to coincide with the anniversary of the Constitution’s signing,” the Congressional Research Service continued. “In 1956, September 17-25 was designated as Constitution Week. In November 2004, Congress renamed the September 17 observance to ‘Constitution Day and Citizenship Day’ and directed educational institutions that receive federal funding to hold related educational programs.”

For many naturalized U.S. citizens over the years, Constitution Day and Citizenship Day has been engrained in their memories and hearts as their first official day as an American on paper. Last year, more than 17,000 immigrants were welcomed as part of observances. First-time naturalization events that year included a historic ceremony at New York’s Fire Island National Seashore. It was fitting in a region built by immigrants who, much like them, were seeking new lives in this country.

A number of naturalization ceremonies welcoming our newest citizens have already been underway in a number of states ahead of this year’s Constitution Day and Citizenship Day. It’s a day we should be proud of. No other nation has the distinction of being known as “a nation of immigrants.” And, we’re stronger for it. These are our neighbors, and many of them are essential workers who feed us, make our roads safer, teach our children, care for our loved ones, help power our economy, and make our country more vibrant.

In Tulsa, Oklahoma, officials held the city’s 50th naturalization ceremony this past Thursday, which welcomed 20 new Americans hailing from more than a dozen nations, including Brazil, Burma, Canada, Colombia, Germany, Israel, Jordan, Laos, Mexico, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, the United Kingdom, Venezuela, and Vietnam.

Among them was Matthias Boehme, formerly from Germany. He called the day “a great milestone” for him and said he looked forward to being able to vote for the first time, Fox23 News reported. The University of Toledo College of Law is also set to welcome another 40 people as new Americans on Friday. Eugenio Mollo Jr., a clinical associate professor of law and director of the College of Law’s Immigrant Justice Clinic, will be a guest speaker and is himself from an immigrant family.

“My dad cherished his citizenship, and I’m excited for these soon-to-be citizens to share in the same benefits and opportunities that he and our family have enjoyed,” Professor Mollo said. “We’re enriched by the history, culture and traditions that each of them brings to the United States.”

In New York, 30 immigrants from 17 different countries also became American on paper this week, The Buffalo News reported. For Jamaican immigrant and entrepreneur Bryan Salmon, the day was two decades in the making. There were times when he felt discouraged due to complicated paperwork issues and the daily stresses of life, he said. But he never gave up.

“The pressure that was on me before, it’s like all of it just got lifted,” Salmon told The Buffalo News. “I’m feeling happy. I’m feeling real happy. It’s been a hard, rough road, and now that I’ve crossed the bridge, I can build my own bridge to move forward.”

“This is like your second birthday,” a U.S. Citizenship and Naturalization Services official told new Americans. “You get to celebrate your birthday, but now you become a naturalized U.S. citizen. That’s a special day. So make sure you commemorate this day, so that every year you celebrate yourself for the hard work and the dedication that you put forward to become a United States citizen.”

In Florida, Miami University’s Citizenship and Democracy Week next week will see nearly 100 immigrants sworn in as U.S. citizens. The week will also feature a blood drive as part of its civic-minded activities. In North Carolina, Charlotte is kicking off its “Week of Welcoming” with a Friday naturalization ceremony, WSOC-TV reported. “Charlotte was the first city in the Southeast to earn the Welcoming America Certified Welcoming designation, highlighting its ongoing commitment to strengthening connections and community,” the outlet reported.

The American Immigration Lawyers Association said it’s also been working to welcome new Americans, including holding sessions on organizing local Citizenship Day events.

“This year, on and around September 20, 2025, AILA members and community partners will come together again to light the path and provide guidance and support to eligible lawful permanent residents as they move one step closer to becoming U.S. citizens,” writes AILA’s Paul Rampersaud. “AILA’s 27 participating chapters will do more than just offer a time and a place to get help preparing a naturalization application. They will build trust, strengthen partnerships, and foster community.”

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