WASHINGTON, DC - Thursday, September 17, 2009,
begins the national celebration of Constitution
Week. The weeklong commemoration of America's
most important document is one of our country's
least known official observances.
Our
Constitution stands as a testament to the
tenacity of Americans throughout history to
maintain their liberties and freedom, and to
ensure those unalienable rights to every
American.
The tradition of celebrating the Constitution
was started many years ago by the Daughters of
the American Revolution (DAR). In 1955, the
Daughters petitioned Congress to set aside
September 17-23 annually to be dedicated for the
observance of Constitution Week. The resolution
was later adopted by the U.S. Congress and
signed into Public Law #915 on August 2, 1956 by
President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
The aims of the
celebration are to (1) emphasize citizens'
responsibilities for protecting and defending
the Constitution, preserving it for posterity;
(2) inform the people that the Constitution is
the basis for America's great heritage and the
foundation for our way of life; and (3)
encourage the study of the historical events
which led to the framing of the Constitution in
September 1787.
The United States of America functions as a
Republic under the Constitution, which is the
oldest document still in active use that
outlines the self-government of a people.
This
landmark idea that men had the inalienable right
as individuals to be free and live their lives
under their own governance was the impetus of
the American Revolution. Today, the
Constitution stands as an icon of freedom for
people around the world.
"Constitution Week is the perfect opportunity
to read and study this great document which is
the safeguard of our American liberties," states
DAR President General, Linda Gist Calvin. "We
encourage all citizens across the country to
take time this week to reflect on our heritage
of freedom."
DAR has served America for 119 years as its
foremost cheerleader. In 1928, the Daughters
began work on a building as a memorial to the
Constitution. John Russell Pope, architect of
the Jefferson Memorial, was commissioned to
design the performing arts center, known as DAR
Constitution Hall. Today, DAR Constitution Hall
is the only structure erected in tribute to the
Constitution of the United States of America.
Known as the largest women's patriotic
organization in the world, DAR has over 165,000
members with approximately 3,000 chapters in all
50 states and 11 foreign countries. The DAR has
long promoted patriotism through commemorative
celebrations, memorials, scholarships and
activities for children, and programs for new
immigrants.
For more information about DAR and
its programs visit www.dar.org or call (202) 628-
1776.
| 
