September 17 · Constitution Day

Constitution Day, without the worksheet

Schools that receive federal funds are required to hold an educational program on the U.S. Constitution every September 17. Here are three free simulations that turn the mandate into the best class period of the month.

Free for educators No student accounts 55-65 min each

The mandate is real - the packet is optional

Under Section 111 of Division J of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2005 (Pub. L. 108-447), each educational institution that receives federal funds for a fiscal year is required to hold an educational program on the United States Constitution on September 17 for its students. When September 17 falls on a weekend or holiday, the program is held during an adjacent week. In 2026, September 17 is a Thursday - a regular school day.

The law requires an educational program. It does not require a word-search. A simulation - where students argue ratification with primary sources, or rule on a real First Amendment case - satisfies the same requirement and gives students a reason to actually read the document.

Constitution Day and Citizenship Day was established in its current form by the 2004 appropriations act cited above; the requirement applies to every educational institution receiving federal funds, K-12 through university.

Three ways to run it

All three are live, role-based, multiplayer simulations. Students join from any device with a room code and play in real time while you run the session from a teacher dashboard.

Which one for your class?

  • 8th grade U.S. History: Nine States or The Great Compromise Engine - both sit exactly where a Q1 Constitution unit already is.
  • High school Government / Civics: Oyez for the First Amendment, Nine States for ratification and the Bill of Rights - Federalist and Anti-Federalist arguments run on adapted primary sources.
  • One class period, hard stop: Nine States (60 min) or Oyez (55 min). The Great Compromise Engine is a 2-period simulation - built-in pause and resume lets you split it across days.

How fast can I be running this?

Faster than photocopying the packet. Everything is free - there is no paid tier, no license code, and no student account anywhere in the flow.

Get teacher access

Fill out a quick educator form - it takes about 30 seconds and you receive your access code immediately. That one code unlocks the entire library.

Pick your sim, create a room

Each simulation ships with a step-by-step teacher guide with timing and facilitation scripts, plus printable role dossiers, source packets, and vocab sheets.

Students join with a code

Project the room code. Students join on any device - no logins, no installs, no app. You assign roles in one click, and no student data is stored on any server.

Honest logistics

  • Each simulation is designed for a standard 45-65 minute period. Nine States and Oyez fit one period; The Great Compromise Engine wants two (or one block period).
  • Roles scale by grouping students, not by adding seats - the same 6-8 functional roles work for a class of 12 or a class of 30.
  • Read the teacher guide the night before. Every game has a visual walkthrough of exactly what students see, so there are no surprises on the day.
  • Pause and resume is built in - if the bell cuts you off mid-debate, you pick up tomorrow where you stopped.
  • September 17, 2026 is a Thursday. If your schedule is locked that day, the observance moves to an adjacent day - the sims are ready whenever you are.

Ready for September 17?

Get your free access code now and have a room ready before first period.

Takes 30 seconds. You'll receive your access code immediately.