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Each year, the National Archives celebrates Constitution Day on 9 July.
This year, a citizenship ceremony was held in each state capital.
In Canberra, families were invited to take a tour to see the Australian Constitution in the National Archives’ revamped Memory of a Nation exhibition. New self-guided History Mystery tours were available, with a mystery prize for every winner. All visitors were invited to take home a gift and share the Archives’ Constitution Cake.
On the eve of Constitution Day 2009, we also celebrated with a launch of No Common Creation, a display about the High Court of Australia.
The day is special for all Australians.
Constitution Day is the birthday of the nation’s government. On 9 July 1900 Queen Victoria signed the Commission of Assent, so that the Australian Constitution became law.
Whereas the people...
The Constitution was drafted because the colonies decided to come together to form a nation.
...have agreed to unite...
It is the document that defines the framework of our nation, including the way federal and state governments are structured, foreign trade is conducted and immigration measures are implemented.
...in one indissoluble Federal Commonwealth
The Constitution is a living document. Amended and interpreted by succeeding generations, it continues to underpin all aspects of our daily lives. It empowers us as citizens of an evolving democratic nation.
You can view the Constitution in full and learn more about its history and significance via the Documenting a Democracy website or by visiting the National Archives Federation Gallery in Canberra.
