Constitution Day 2023

Cary M. Maguire Center for Ethics and Public Responsibility and SMU Libraries have teamed up to celebrate Constitution Day this year on September 12-19 with a scavenger hunt at Fondren Library! 

Constitution Day, also known as Citizenship Day, commemorates the signing of the U.S. Constitution on September 17, 1787.

Access Hints and Submit Answers Here.

How it works:

Step 1: On September 12, go to smu.edu/ethics to find a list of clues and hints related to documents or materials in Fondren Library.

Step 2: Go to Fondren Library and find a physical item that relates to the hint provided.

Step 3: Upon locating the item corresponding to the hint provided, take a picture of the document or material and upload the photo online via the submission link on the Ethics Center Website

Rules and Guidelines:

  • Program duration – the Constitution Day Scavenger hunt will begin on Tuesday, September 12th and conclude at 2:00pm on Tuesday, September 19th. No late submissions will be accepted. You may begin, pause, and submit your answers at any time within the time window.

  • Assistance – you are encouraged, and at times may be required to seek assistance from an SMU librarian or staff member to correctly identify a correct answer. You can seek assistance from SMU faculty, staff and students throughout the scavenger hunt. Fondren Library Main Desk is also available to assist while the library is open.

  • Clue distribution – all clues will be announced on Tuesday, September 12th through the kickoff event located in the library from 9:00am – 2:00pm. Clues will also be posted online through the Maguire Ethics Center website.

  • Answers – Clues may reference individuals throughout history or specific works/publications/documents created by key figures throughout history. Please read clues carefully.

    • If the answer is a specific person, any book published by them or their biography may be used as an answer.>

    • If the answer is a specific work or publication, you must find the exact work.

  • Location – all clue answers can be found within Fondren Library.

  • Submission/proof of completion –all responses must be documented through our online Qualtrics submission form. To answer the clue, contestants must take a picture of their response. When you answer the clue, please take a picture of the document/text/etc. in person (screen shots or photos from the Internet will NOT count).

  • Handle items with care – You are expected to treat all library resources with care. Items should be returned as you found them.

Need some help? Here's some free resources available to SMU students. 

U.S. Law and Government Research Guide by SMU Libraries

Primary Documents in American History Research Guide by the United States Library of Congress

The Constitution - United States National Archives