September 17th is Constitution Day! On that date in 1787, the delegates to the Constitutional Convention completed and signed the Constitution of the United States at Independence Hall. The Constitutional Walking Tour of Philadelphia is a great way to celebrate Constitution Day! Since 2007, The Constitutional has sponsored its annual American Freedom Essay Contest in September and October where students compete to win a free school field trip for their entire class to Historic Philadelphia.

Independence Day Ceremony at Independence Hall on July 4, 2006

Independence Day Ceremony at Independence Hall on July 4, 2007

Independence Day Ceremony at Independence Hall on July 4, 2009

As part of the preparations for the construction of the President's House memorial at 6th & Market Streets, the National Park Service has been conducting an archeological dig on the former site of where President George Washington and President John Adams lived while they were in office, while Philadelphia was the Capital City of the United States from 1790-1800. The President's House served as the predecessor of The White House in Washington, D.C. This fascinating archeological work has been on display for visitors to watch first hand throughout the first part of 2006. Once the President's House memorial is complete, there will be exhibits about the early American Presidency, the free African community in Philadelphia and the enslaved Africans who lived there.