Why Every American Needs a Pocket Constitution Right Now

When a sitting U.S. Supreme Court Justice writes a children's book about the founding era because civic literacy has collapsed in America, it's time to pay attention.

Justice Neil Gorsuch's new book, Heroes of 1776, co-authored with Janie Nitze, was inspired by what he called a "staggering decline" in civic literacy across the country. His message is clear: Americans — young and old — no longer know the documents that define their freedom.

That's exactly why The 917 Society exists.

THE PROBLEM IS REAL

A recent survey found that fewer than half of Americans can name the three branches of government. Millions couldn't identify the First Amendment. And as we stand on the threshold of America's 250th birthday — a moment that should be a national civics celebration — too many of our neighbors are living in the country the Founders built without ever having read the document that built it.

The pocket Constitution book isn't just a booklet. It's a 48-page declaration of who we are as a people.

WHAT THE 917 SOCIETY IS DOING ABOUT IT

Since our founding, The 917 Society has put free pocket Constitutions into the hands of 8th graders across America — because September 17 (Constitution Day) matters, and because every student deserves to hold their founding document.

8th graders receive their Constitutions completely free. That's our core mission — always has been, always will be.

But getting a pocket constitution book into every 8th grade classroom takes fuel. That's where you come in.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Every copy of Celebrating the Constitution and U.S. Citizenship sold on Amazon directly funds free distributions to 8th grade classrooms. It's a beautiful 250th Anniversary Special Edition — and it makes a meaningful gift for any patriot, history lover, or civic-minded American in your life.

Grab your copy here: http://bit.ly/4bZn8dk

Justice Gorsuch is right that civic literacy is in crisis. But the solution isn't complicated — it starts with a pocket constitution book that fits in your pocket and a generation of students who know what's in it.

CONSTITUTION DAY IS COMING

September 17, 2026 isn't just Constitution Day — it's America's 250th year of living under the document signed in Philadelphia in 1787. This is the most significant Constitution Day in our lifetimes.

Schools and teachers: you can request free pocket Constitutions for your 8th grade classrooms right now. No cost. No strings. Just the founding document in your students' hands where it belongs.

Request free 8th grade Constitutions at: 917society.org/constitutions-for-8th-graders

Supporters: your purchase makes those free distributions possible. The 917 Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit entirely funded by donors and supporters like you.

Support the mission at: 917society.org/donate

The Founders pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor so that we could hold this document. The least we can do is read it.

The 917 Society is a Nashville-based nonprofit dedicated to putting a free pocket Constitution in the hands of every 8th grader in America. Learn more at 917society.org.