On Wednesday, September 16, 2015, Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White held the State’s seventh official U. S. Constitution and Citizenship Day Celebration. The event also commemorated the 228th anniversary of the signing of the U. S. Constitution, which took place on September 17, 1787. U. S. District Court Judge Joan B. Gottschall swore in 54 people from 25 countries: Albania, Algeria, Angola, Belgium, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Burma, Cameroon, People’s Republic of China, Ecuador, Ghana, Greece, India, Iraq, Israel, Ivory Coast, Kosovo, Lebanon, Mexico, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Republic of Serbia, Romania, and Trinidad and Tobago.
“Today’s celebration is an opportunity for us to commemorate the document that laid the foundation for our great Nation,” White said. “In witnessing people from other Nations taking the oath of citizenship, we can reflect on what it means to be an American.”
The Chicago, IL, event, held at Richard J. Daley Plaza, included a Naturalization Ceremony, a parade of flags, and patriotic musical selections. Judge Gottschall presided over the Naturalization Ceremony. Over the past seven years, more than 570 people from various countries have been sworn-in as citizens.
Carol Marin, Political Editor from NBC 5 Chicago and Chicago Sun-Times Columnist, served as emcee for the event. VanderCook College of Music Wind Ensemble performed, under the leadership of Director Dr. Charles T. Menghini. Officials from the U. S. District Court and U. S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, as well as Bugles Across America, the Training Support Center Great Lakes Honor Guard, and students from Harold Washington College participated in the ceremony.