On March 22, 1972, all 100 delegates of the Montana Constitutional Convention signed a new constitution for the State of Montana. So just as we celebrate Constitution Day in the U.S. on September 17 to commemorate the September 17, 1787 signing of the United States Constitution, the Friends of the Montana Constitution are calling on Montanans to commemorate our State Constitution every year on March 22 – Montana Constitution Day!

---

2026 Montana Constitution Day – Celebration in Helena

March 20, 2026

For the first annual Montana Constitution Day, the Friends of the Montana Constitution invite the public to join a free lecture by the Honorable Anthony Johnstone on Montana’s Constitution at the new Montana Heritage Center in Helena, Montana. 

• Date: Friday, March 20, 2026 
• Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
  • Remarks begin at 10:30 AM followed by a Q&A
  • Light refreshments will be provided at 10:00 AM
• Location: Big Sky Hall at the Montana Heritage Center, 225 Roberts Street, Helena, MT 59601
• Keynote: The Honorable Anthony Johnstone, Judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, will present “The Montana Constitution in Time” with an introduction from Montana Supreme Court Chief Justice Cory Swanson.

The first annual Montana Constitution Day is sponsored by the Montana Historical Society and the Friends of the Montana Constitution.

Montana Constitution Day is free to attend. Please let us know you’re coming by using the registration form linked above.

The Montana Constitution in Time

Judge Johnstone’s presentation considers the development of the Montana Constitution over time in relation to the 1889 Montana Constitution, the U.S. Constitution, and other state and national constitutions. A question and answer session will follow his presentation.

The Honorable Anthony D. Johnstone serves on the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit with chambers in Missoula, Montana. Judge Johnstone previously served as the Helen and David Mason Professor of Law and an affiliated Professor of Public Administration at the University of Montana’s Blewett School of Law, where he taught federal and state constitutional law, legislation, jurisprudence, and a federal judicial clinic. He also served more than two decades as trial and appellate counsel in federal and state courts, including as Montana’s State Solicitor. He entered practice as an associate at Cravath, Swaine & Moore in New York. Following law school, he clerked for Ninth Circuit Judge Sidney R. Thomas in Billings, Montana. Judge Johnstone is an elected member of the American Law Institute.

Unavailable to attend Montana Constitution Day in person? A online option is available via Zoom, https://mt-gov.zoom.us/j/89140933494. Thank you to the Montana Historical Society for hosting this option. The livestream will begin at 10:30 AM on Friday, March 20, 2026.

Being in the Right Place at Right Time: Mae Nan Ellingson reflects on being a delegate to the 1972 Constitutional Convention

MTHS Community Lecture Series – A Special Montana Constitution Lecture

Thursday, March 19, 2026

6:30 PM – 7:30 PM

Montana Heritage Center

225 Roberts Street, Helena, MT 59601

In connection with Montana Constitution Day, the Thursday night lecture series from the Montana Historical Society will feature a special presentation from Constitutional Convention Delegate Mae Nan (Robinson) Ellingson. Mae Nan will share her reflections on “being in the right place at the time” and what it was like to serve as the youngest ConCon delegate. This lecture is free and open to the public.

Mae Nan was elected to the 1972 Constitutional Convention at the age of 24. Her talk will discuss among other things; her decision to run; how she came to be elected; how she prepared for the challenge of writing a Constitution; personal challenges and foibles; the working of the convention; developing consensus and strategy on issues of importance and her proudest moments of the Convention.

About the Presenter:
Mae Nan Ellingson was the youngest delegate to the 1972 Constitutional Constitutional Convention. She was elected as a 24-year-old graduate student at the University of Montana. After the Convention, she became a lawyer, first working for the City of Missoula and then for 33 years specializing in the finance of public infrastructure throughout the state at Dorsey & Whitney LLP. She retired in 2013, but continued to do pro bono work for non-profit organizations. She is active in many community organizations including the Friends of the Montana Constitution and, as one of seven delegates remaining, she gladly talks about the Constitution and the 1972 ConCon. She has two sons and four grandchildren.

Free Webinar from the Montana State Library
Documenting Montana’s Constitutional History: 1867, 1884, 1889, & 1972
Tuesday, March 24, 2026 at 6:30PM
Presented by Rich Aarstad, State Archivist at the Montana Historical Society, and Jennifer Birnel, Director of the Montana History Portal for the Montana State Library.

Webinar Description:
Did Thomas Francis Meagher take a copy of the 1867 Montana Constitution with him to the grave? Why did statehood take so long? Ever wonder why the 1884 constitution went from viable to liable, and yet laid the groundwork for 1889 and statehood? Constitutional writing in the 20th century, will it stand the test of time? Join Montana State Archivist Rich Aarstad as he tracks Montana’s constitutional history through the historical records of the Montana Historical Society Library & Archives collections followed by Jennifer Birnel of the Montana History Portal to teach you how to use the portal to do research of your own.

Register here: https://msl.mt.gov/libraries/lifelonglearning/Virtual-Programming/March-20261

The Montana State Library offers a Montana Library Network (MLN) Virtual Programming Monthly Series. The goals of this series are to provide high-quality and interesting topics and information to Montanans, opportunities for public libraries to become familiar with publicizing and participating in virtual program offerings for their communities, and opportunities for Montanans to connect with others around the state on topics of interest. All programs start at 6:30 PM. Learn more at https://www.msl.mt.gov/libraries/lifelonglearning/Virtual-Programming/MLNVirtualProgrammingSeries

Friday, September 19, 2025

Billings Reception and Public Presentation for the Friends of the Montana Constitution

The Friends of the Montana Constitution is headed to Billings! Please join us for a public presentation and reception in celebration of Montana’s unique constitution on Friday, September 19, 2025 at 5:00 PM at the Western Heritage Center. Nancy Leifer, Secretary-Treasurer of FMC and immediate Past President of Montana League of Women Voters, will share an “Exploration of the Historic 1972 Constitutional Convention and its Legacy” at 5:30 PM. Light refreshments will be provided along with a no host bar.

The Friends of the Montana Constitution is a statewide nonprofit working to inspire appreciation of the Montana Constitution and celebrate the legacy of the 1972 Constitutional Convention. Created in 2022 after the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the ConCon, the Friends of the Montana Constitution is the successor to the Montana Constitution Society, which consisted solely of ConCon Delegates.

Friends of the Third Branch CLE – September 26, 2025

Join Friends of the Third Branch, the Brennan Center for Justice, legislators, and judges who will discuss national trends in judicial selection, legislation affecting the judiciary, and insights into what we might expect in the near future. Hosted by Friends of the Third Branch.

• Friday, September 26 from 1:00 to 4:30 pm
• Missoula, MT
• Register Here: https://friendsofthethirdbranch.org/

This Continuing Legal Education Program is open to the public and will cover:

• Montana Bills impacting the Judiciary
• The Nine, LLEW, and You
• Trends in Judicial Selection
• Reflections on Being a Judge in Today’s America

Wednesday, May 28, 2025 at 10 AM

The Grow Montana Food Policy Coalition is hosting a webinar on the Montana Constitution and how it impacts the state’s agricultural community. The webinar will be held via Zoom on Wednesday, May 28 10AM-11:30AM. Registration is required and attendance is limited to 40.

Speakers will include representatives from the Friends of the Montana Constitution. The webinar will be recorded and available on Grow Montana’s website for future viewing.

An email with zoom link will be sent to the email you provide when registering.
Questions? Email Maura Henn at coalition@growmt.org

The Montana Constitution Roadshow is headed to Eastern Montana this spring! These free presentations from Upper 7 Law celebrate the revolutionary document. Written in 1972 by 100 delegates from across our state, the Montana Constitution protects our freedom, privacy, and dignity. Find a session near you and learn about the foundations of a functioning democracy, the rule of law, and the ways the Montana Constitution brings Montana values to life.

Spring Tour Dates:

• Bozeman – April 28th, 2025 at 5:30-6:30 PM
• Billings – April 29th, 2025 at 5:30-6:30 PM
• Miles City – May 2, 2025 at 5:30–6:30 PM
• Terry – May 3, 2025 at 1:00–2:00 PM
• Glendive – May 3, 2025 at 4:00–5:00 PM
• Sidney – May 5, 2025 at 6:00–7:00 PM
• Glasgow – May 6, 2025 at 4:30–5:30 PM
• Malta – May 8, 2025 at 5:30–6:30 PM
• Havre – May 13, 2025 at 12:00–1:00 PM

Learn more and register here.

Northwestern Montana – March 7 to March 13, 2025

Written in 1972 by 100 delegates from across the state, the Montana Constitution protects our freedom, privacy, and dignity.
To celebrate this revolutionary document, Upper Seven Law is hitting the road to talk about the foundations of a functioning democracy, the rule of law, and the ways the Montana Constitution brings Montana values to life. Upper Seven is a nonprofit law firm dedicated to holding the powerful accountable, and making our special constitution accessible to everyone.

Upcoming Montana Constitution Roadshow Dates

• Friday, March 7: Polson Public Library at 6:30 PM
• Saturday, March 8: Bigfork Public Library at 12:00 PM
• Sunday, March 9: Eureka North Point Bar and Grill at 11:30 AM
• Sunday, March 9: Libby KW Maki Theatre at 5:00 PM
• Monday, March 10: Kalispell Public Library at 12:00 PM
• Tuesday, March 11: Whitefish Community Library at 5:30 PM
• Wednesday, March 12: Montana Tap House in Whitefish at 7:00 PM
• Thursday, March 13: Plains Public Library at 11:00 AM
• Thursday, March 13: Thompson Falls Rex Theater at 5:30 PM

February 13, 2025 at Noon in Montana’s Capitol Rotunda

Join the 2025 “I ❤️ the Constitution” Rally on February 13 in Helena, where we’ll come together to celebrate and protect the core values that uphold our democracy.

Organized by Montana Conservation Voters Education Fund, Northern Plains Resource Council, Forward Montana, and the League of Women Voters, this rally will take place at the Capitol Rotunda starting at 12 PM, and we need your voice to help defend the rights and freedoms enshrined in our Constitution. As challenges to our civil liberties continue to grow, it’s more important than ever that we stand united in support of the rule of law and the principles that safeguard our future.

This event will feature speeches from former Governor Marc Racicot, Rylee Sommers-Flanagan of Upper Seven Law and retired District Judge Jim Manley, as well as insightful discussions, and a chance to connect with others who care deeply about preserving our constitutional rights. It’s a time to stand together and show our shared commitment to a fair and just system for all Montanans.

The “I ❤️ the Montana Constitution” Rally is supported by Montana Conservation Voters Education Fund, Forward Montana, Northern Plains Resource Council, the League of Women Voters, the Montana Trial Lawyers Association, and the Friends of the Montana Constitution.

January 24, 2025 in Lewistown and January 30, 2025 in Great Falls

The Montana Constitution Roadshow, presented by Upper Seven Law, invites you to explore the fascinating story behind Montana’s foundational document. Ratified in 1972, this Constitution was created by Montanans, for Montanans, to reflect the values, priorities, and hopes of our state’s people.

Led by Rylee Sommers-Flanagan, Founder and Executive Director of Upper Seven Law, this presentation will:

• Uncover unique features of the Montana Constitution, including the right to know, and the right to hold government accountable
• Explore its historical context and lasting importance in protecting the rights of all Montanans
• Highlight the interplay between our state’s three branches of government through stories, insights, and an engaging visual presentation

This event is designed to welcome everyone—whether you’re a history buff, a curious learner, or someone simply interested in what makes Montana special. Come ready to be informed, inspired, and proud of this remarkable part of our state’s heritage.