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George Mason University commemorates Constitution Day and Citizenship Day Wednesday, September 17, with a schedule of activities highlighted by an appearance from former Vice President Mike Pence (R).
Constitution Day is a federal observance that honors both the signing of the United States Constitution and individuals who have attained U.S. citizenship. On September 17, 1787, delegates to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia placed their signatures on the historic document, marking a defining moment in the nation’s founding.
National Voter Registration Day
Leading up to Constitution Day at George Mason is National Voter Registration Day, Tuesday, September 16.
From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Wilkins Plaza on the Fairfax Campus, volunteers from the League of Women Voters of the Fairfax Area as well as Mason Votes Ambassadors will assist members of the George Mason community with their voting needs, including providing paper registration forms and electronic verification of voting status.
Library Exhibits and Engagements
University Libraries will host events across three campuses. Constitution-themed exhibits are on display at the Mason Square and Mercer libraries, while volunteers engage visitors with Constitution trivia and hand out pocket-sized copies of the document through September 17.
Forum: Exploring Executive Power
A Constitution Day forum exploring executive power at Fenwick Library’s Room 1014 headlines the day’s events in Fairfax. Three constitutional scholars—Schar School associate professor Jennifer N. Victor, Department of History and Art History Distinguished University Professor Rosemarie Zagarri, and founding partner of Massey & Gail Jonathan Massey—will examine the evolving nature of executive power in the United States.
The scholars representing the fields of political science, law, and history will provide insights as to how the Founders imagined the role the chief executive would play in their new republic. They will also examine how courts, Congress, and public opinion influence and respond to developments such as expanded presidential immunity.
The event runs from 5 to 7 p.m. and is open to the George Mason community; registration is required at this website.
Mike Pence Address
Also at 5 p.m., the Schar School of Policy and Government and the Antonin Scalia Law School will host a second Constitution Day forum at the Van Metre Hall Auditorium at Mason Square in Arlington featuring Mike Pence, the 48th vice president of the United States. The forum is free and open to the George Mason community; registration is required at this website.
Schar School of Policy and Government dean Mark J. Rozell will moderate a question-and-answer session with audience members following the address.