Constitution Day is an opportunity to commemorate the signing of the U.S. Constitution in 1787. As a way to celebrate the day on Saturday, Sept. 17, American Legion post and members are encouraged to promote the Legion's Oratorical Contest – a Constitutional speech contest for high school youth.

Since 1938, The American Legion's Oratorical Contest has helped participants understand the history of America's laws and develop a better understanding of the duties, responsibilities, rights and privileges of American citizenship. More than 6,000 high school students compete in the contest annually at The American Legion post level for an opportunity to advance to the state level, where a winner is chosen to represent the department at the national competition.

The program has awarded more than $3 million in scholarships since its inception.

Resources are available for posts to promote the Oratorical Contest at the local level. For more information, click here.