Celebrate the foundation of America: Fort Payne Chapter, NSDAR promotes Constitution Week

There are two documents of paramount importance to American history: the Declaration of Independence, which forged our national identity, and the United States Constitution, which set forth the framework for the federal government that is still in use today.

While Independence Day is a beloved national holiday, fewer people know about Constitution Week, an annual commemoration of the living document that upholds and protects the freedoms central to our American way of life. This year, the annual celebration began Sept. 17.

The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) initiated the observance in 1955, when the organization petitioned the U.S. Congress to dedicate Sept. 17-23 of each year to the commemoration of Constitution Week. Congress adopted the resolution, and on Aug. 2, 1956, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed it into Public Law #915. The celebration's goals are threefold: to encourage the study of the historical events that led to the framing of the Constitution in September 1787; to inform people that the Constitution is the basis of America's great heritage and the foundation of our way of life; and to emphasize U.S. citizens' responsibility to protect, defend and preserve the Constitution.

DAR has been the foremost advocate for the awareness, promotion and celebration of Constitution Week. This annual observance provides innumerable opportunities for educational initiatives and community outreach, two mission areas of crucial importance to the National Society's work. By fostering knowledge of and appreciation for the Constitution and the inalienable rights it affords to all Americans, DAR helps to keep alive the memory of the men and women who secured our nation's independence, whose bravery and sacrifice made possible the liberties we enjoy today.

"The framers created a Constitution that translated into law the ideals upon which our nation was built," said Regent Wrenne Jakubiak. "Their vision was so forward thinking that their words still guide us today. No American history education can be complete without an understanding of the impact the Constitution has had on the lives of American citizens past and present."

On Friday, Sept. 16, Fort Payne Chapter, NSDAR kicked off Constitution Week at the Naperville Municipal Center with a proclamation for Constitution Week from the Mayor Steve Chirico.

This was be followed by a celebratory ringing of the school bell at 10:30 a.m. at Naper Elementary School. Constitution Week is also being celebrated with public displays at three Naperville Public Library locations and by a proclamation issued by DuPage County Board Chairman Daniel J. Cronin.

The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution is a women's service organization whose members can trace their lineage to an individual who contributed to securing American independence during the Revolutionary War. Today's DAR is dynamic and diverse, with over 185,000 members in 3,000 chapters in the United States and abroad. DAR members annually provide millions of hours of volunteer service to their local communities across the country and world. DAR chapters participate in projects to promote historic preservation, education, and patriotism. Over one million members have joined the organization since its founding in 1890.

If you are interested in learning more about DAR membership, visit www.dar.org/national-society/become-member or contact nsdarfortpayne@gmail.com.

The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution was founded in 1890 to preserve the memory and spirit of those who contributed to securing American independence. For more than 130 years, the DAR has strived to bring awareness to the honorable sacrifices and enduring legacy of all patriots who fought for America's freedom. Through the DAR Genealogical Research System (www.dar.org/GRS), the public can access a free database of information amassed by the DAR about these patriots. DAR is a nonprofit, nonpolitical women's service organization with more than 185,000 members in approximately 3,000 chapters worldwide. Any woman 18 years or older, regardless of race, religion, or ethnic background, who can prove lineal descent from a patriot of the American Revolution is eligible for membership. DAR members passionately carry out the timeless mission of promoting historic preservation, education and patriotism. To learn more about the work of today's DAR, visit www.dar.org.