National Civics Day is observed annually on October 27 to recognize civic education and the role of citizens in understanding government and the political process.
The date marks the publication of the first Federalist Paper on October 27, 1787. The series of 85 essays, written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison and John Jay under the shared pen name Publius, supported ratification of the proposed U.S. Constitution. The essays discussed the structure and principles of the proposed federal government.
National Civics Day was established in 2021 through efforts involving Long Island University’s Roosevelt School and the Society of Presidential Descendants. A congressional resolution also supported designating October 27, 2021, as National Civics Day.
Civic education includes learning about the Constitution, the responsibilities of government, individual rights and the ways citizens can participate in public affairs. Participation can include voting, attending public meetings, contacting elected officials and learning about issues affecting local communities.
National Civics Day provides an opportunity to review how government operates and learn more about the rights and responsibilities of citizenship.
