The U.S. Constitution and Constitution Day We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

A message to the university community from the president of University of Maryland University College on Constitution Day:

Voting, debating the issues, gathering to meet in public and in private, criticizing or praising your government, observing your religion, pursuing an education and a career…
As Americans, we look upon these "ordinary" pursuits as rights guaranteed under the U.S. Constitution—rights that vast numbers of our fellow world citizens do not have. That's why we celebrate Constitution Day and Citizenship Day on September 17 by honoring this great document and reaffirming our responsibility to know and preserve it. At University of Maryland University College, we are proud to support that effort by once again offering this award-winning Web site.

In recognizing our reputation and our role as a global university, we have designed this Web site to reach all of our students, both here and abroad, many of whom are currently serving this country on military bases and in war zones around the world. As such, we invite you to learn more about the Constitution by perusing the site's many resources, including a short "quiz" to test your own knowledge. Please help us "spread the word" by sharing this Web site with others. 

Susan C. Aldridge, PhD
President