This year is the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. It’s an appropriate time to revisit the documents and institutions that sustain our country in the wake of a national tragedy like 9/11 and other challenges. Constitution Day, September 17, and Congress Week, September 12-16, provide us with that opportunity.
Constitution Day celebrates the signing of the U.S. Constitution on September 17, 1787. Established by Congress in 2004, Constitution Day stresses the importance of the Constitution as a document that guides our government and protects citizens’ rights. You can read the Constitution online or come in to the Government Documents office on the lower level of the library for a free copy.
The Association of Centers for the Study of Congress (ACSC) created Congress Week to coincide with Constitution Day. ACSC encourages the study of Congress and its key role in the government as established by the Constitution. Our own Thomas A. Daschle Congressional Research Study, located within the Special Collections area of Briggs Library, provides a unique resource for the study of Congress. Here the public can access papers from Daschle’s twenty-six years in Congress.
The staff at Briggs Library encourages you to explore our resources and learn more about the U.S. Constitution and Congress. The library is a member of the Federal Depository Library Program, and has been since 1889, so we provide free access to congressional, executive, and judicial publications. For more information on this program connect to our Government Documents Web page.
You can also come to the library to see displays on the lower and main levels. Access our History and Political Science Research Guides. Search library resources such as our online catalog and databases to get more information. Also, feel free to contact a librarian about the Constitution, Congress, or any other research interests.
Linda Kott
Information Services Librarian
Bloggin' @ Briggs 