Constitution Week Sept. 17-23

Constitution Week is the commemoration of America's most important document. It is celebrated annually during the week of September 17-23. The Constitution sets laws of our country as well as the rights of citizens. How can you be a good citizen? One is to exercise your right to vote!

This celebration of the Constitution was started by the Daughters of the American Revolution. In 1955, DAR 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 on August 2, 1956, by President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

The Colonel Josiah Smith Chapter was visited by Abigail Adams, wife of John Adams, and Mrs. Elbridge Gerry, whose husband was representing Massachussets at the U.S. Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in the Fall of 1787. They discussed how many representatives were late because the roads were so terrible (not paved on the way-muddy roads). Doors to the meeting were kept locked to keep secrets inside and the city cobblestone streets had been covered with gravel to keep the noise of carriages and horses to a minimum. Representatives fought amongst themselves because they did not like the term national. Federal was the term adopted for our government. It was set to have three branches of government, as the states were already set up this way. They were called Executive, Legislative, and Judicial. The people then argued about how these three branches would work. Some states insisted on a Bill of Rights. The delegates compromised, and our Constititution was created.
DAR is a non-profit, non-political women's group with a goal to promote patriotism, historic preservation, and securing America's future with good education for the children. If you are interested more in DAR, please contact Regent Dr. Joan Nathan at darsamuelprice@gmail.com