Annual UW Constitution Reading
An annual program to learn about and reflect on the U.S. Constitution, sponsored by the University of Washington Libraries
2023 Annual UW Constitution Reading
Friday, October 6th, 2023
Suzzallo Reading Room, 12-1:30 pm
As part of the Federal requirement to provide educational programming on the US Constitution aligned with the national Constitution Day and Citizenship Day*, the UW Libraries holds an annual Constitution read aloud event. We welcome students, faculty, staff and community members to join us in reading the full text of the Constitution, including some very special guest speakers!
This community-led reading allows us to critically examine the historical and contemporary significance this document holds within our society.
In fall 2023, UW Reads the Constitution will return to an in-person reading in front of the Suzzallo Reading Room on Friday, October 6th from 12-1:30 pm.
*Because UW is not in session during this day, the Libraries hosts this celebration in October, when students and faculty are back on campus.
2022 Event
2022 Event Recording (Link to YouTube)
Photos from the 2017 & 2018 UW Constitution read alouds
- Related Links
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Acknowledgements
Resources
- Constitution of the United States: A Transcription
- Gallagher Law Library's Guide to the U.S. Constitution and Related Sources
Suggested Readings
- Constitution Read Aloud Critical Readings
- Ackerman, Bruce. The Living Constitution.
- Franks, Mary Anne. The Cult of the Constitution.
- Marietta, Morgan. The Right to Vote is Not in the Constitution.
- Nieman, Donald G. Promises to Keep: African Americans and the Constitutional Order, 1776 to the Present.
- Pommersheim, Frank. Broken Landscape: Indians, Indian Tribes, and the Constitution.
Media
- 2021 UW Constitution Read Aloud Panel Discussion
- 2020 UW Constitution Read Aloud Recording (YouTube playlist)
- 13th Annual Reading of the U.S. Constitution at UW - UW YouTube, Oct. 5, 2018
- No Simple Contract: UW Community Members Read the Constitution - KUOW, Oct. 13, 2017
- Listen as Many Voices Bring the Constitution to Life - KUOW, Oct. 13, 2016
