Citizenship Day Quiz: Constitution Day and U.S. Civics

This Citizenship Day quiz looks at Constitution Day and Citizenship Day on September 17, the signing of the U.S. Constitution at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, naturalization ceremonies, the Oath of Allegiance, the USCIS civics test and the rights and duties of citizens.

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🎯 Daily Trivia Challenge • 🧠 10 Questions • ⏱️ 90 Seconds

Question 1 / 10 Time: 90s

Dates
On which date is Constitution Day and Citizenship Day observed in the United States?
History
In which building was the U.S. Constitution signed?
History
Before it was moved to September 17, the holiday was known by which name?
History
How many delegates signed the Constitution in 1787?
Naturalization
What is the process by which an immigrant becomes a U.S. citizen called?
Naturalization
Which federal agency runs the naturalization process?
Civics Test
Under the civics test introduced in late 2025, how many correct answers out of 20 questions are needed to pass?
Rights
Which amendment lowered the voting age to 18 in 1971?
Duties
Which of these is a responsibility only for U.S. citizens?
Constitution
What are the first three words of the Constitution?

Explanations: answer key for all 10 questions

Q1: On which date is Constitution Day and Citizenship Day observed in the United States?
Answer: September 17
September 17 marks the day in 1787 when delegates signed the U.S. Constitution at the Constitutional Convention.
Q2: In which building was the U.S. Constitution signed?
Answer: Independence Hall
Independence Hall in Philadelphia, then the Pennsylvania State House, also saw the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.
Q3: Before it was moved to September 17, the holiday was known by which name?
Answer: I Am an American Day
I Am an American Day was created in 1940 and held in May. In 1952 Congress replaced it with Citizenship Day on September 17.
Q4: How many delegates signed the Constitution in 1787?
Answer: 39
Thirty-nine of the delegates at the Constitutional Convention signed the document. By comparison, 56 men had signed the Declaration of Independence 11 years earlier.
Q5: What is the process by which an immigrant becomes a U.S. citizen called?
Answer: Naturalization
Many naturalization ceremonies are held on or around September 17, when hundreds of new citizens take the Oath of Allegiance together.
Q6: Which federal agency runs the naturalization process?
Answer: USCIS
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services reviews applications, conducts interviews and gives the English and civics tests.
Q7: Under the civics test introduced in late 2025, how many correct answers out of 20 questions are needed to pass?
Answer: 12
The updated test draws from a list of 128 questions. Applicants must answer 12 of the 20 questions asked correctly.
Q8: Which amendment lowered the voting age to 18 in 1971?
Answer: The 26th
The 26th Amendment was ratified quickly during the Vietnam War era. The 19th Amendment gave women the right to vote in 1920.
Q9: Which of these is a responsibility only for U.S. citizens?
Answer: Serving on a federal jury
Only citizens can serve on federal juries and vote in federal elections. Everyone living in the U.S. must pay taxes and obey the law.
Q10: What are the first three words of the Constitution?
Answer: We the People
The preamble begins We the People, stressing that the government's power comes from its citizens.

Citizenship Day Quiz – Celebrating the Constitution

Every year on September 17, the United States observes Constitution Day and Citizenship Day. The date marks the signing of the U.S. Constitution in 1787, when delegates gathered at the Pennsylvania State House, now Independence Hall, in Philadelphia. It is also a day to honor everyone who has become a citizen, whether by birth or through naturalization.

The holiday has a long history. In 1940, Congress created I Am an American Day, held in May, to celebrate new citizens. In 1952 it was replaced by Citizenship Day on September 17. A 2004 law added the name Constitution Day and required schools that receive federal funding to teach about the Constitution on or near that date.

Naturalization is the process by which immigrants become U.S. citizens. Applicants usually must have been permanent residents for several years, show good moral character and pass English and civics tests run by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. In October 2025, a new civics test began using a list of 128 questions, with 12 correct answers out of 20 needed to pass. The process ends with the Oath of Allegiance.

Citizenship brings both rights and responsibilities. Citizens can vote in federal elections, serve on juries, run for many public offices and hold a U.S. passport. They are also expected to stay informed, take part in their communities and respect the rights of others. Many communities hold ceremonies, readings of the Constitution and school activities on September 17.

This quiz covers the history of Citizenship Day, the Constitution and the naturalization process.

What This Quiz Teaches

This quiz is great for students, teachers and anyone preparing for the citizenship test.

Why Citizenship Day falls on September 17
Where and when the Constitution was signed
How the holiday got its current name
How naturalization and the civics test work
Key rights and duties of citizens
Famous words from the Constitution

Quick Facts About Citizenship Day

Benjamin Franklin, at 81, was the oldest delegate to sign the Constitution.
The Constitution is the oldest written national constitution still in use.
The original Constitution is on display at the National Archives in Washington, D.C.
The 14th Amendment, ratified in 1868, defines U.S. citizenship.
Rhode Island did not send delegates to the Constitutional Convention.
The week of September 17 to 23 is Constitution Week.