Join University Libraries for an event to celebrate the birth of the U.S. government, Constitution Day, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 18, in the University Libraries' Harrick Garden Room, located on the first floor. The event also will be offered virtually.
The featured speaker will be Fabrizio Ricciardelli, Ph.D., director of the Â鶹ÊÓƵ Florence Center. Ricciardelli will speak on the topic "The Italian City-State, Republicanism and the Roots of Democracy."
Ricciardelli has been director of the Florence Center since 2012. After Ricciardelli's talk, a student panel, moderated by constitutional law professor Chris Banks, Ph.D., will discuss the Italian city-state’s correlation to the U.S. Constitution.
In-person and virtual attendees are welcome to participate with questions following the panel discussion.
Sept. 17 is designated as , which commemorates the formation and signing of the U.S. Constitution by a group of delegates on Sept. 17, 1787. The document was ratified in 1788.
The Constitution recognizes that all people who are born in the U.S. or by naturalization are citizens. The U.S. Constitution is the fundamental framework of America’s federal system of government and is the "supreme law of the land." Constitution Day is also referred to as the birthday of the U.S. government. If Constitution Day falls on a weekend, it may be held in the previous or following week.