Sept. 17 through 23 commemorates the signing of the Constitution of the United States of America. The Constitution, with 4,440 words, is the oldest and shortest written constitution of any government in the world. Founding Father John Adams called it ‘the greatest single effort of national deliberation that the world has ever seen,’ and George Washington described it as “little short of a miracle.”
The Preamble, or introduction, summarizes the values of the Constitution in just 52 words.
“We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect Union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”
In 1955 The National Society, Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) initiated the observance when they petitioned the U.S. Congress to dedicate September 17–23 of each year to the commemoration of Constitution Week. Congress adopted the resolution, and on August 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 remind the public that the Constitution is the basis of America’s great heritage and the foundation for its way of life; and to emphasize U.S. citizens’ responsibility to protect, defend and preserve the U.S. Constitution.
Since 1956, DAR has been the foremost advocate for the awareness, promotion and celebration of Constitution Week The annual observance provides innumerable opportunities for educational initiatives and community outreach, two mission areas of crucial importance to the National Society. 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 foundational liberties.
A section of DAR headquarters in Washington D.C. was built in 1929 and named Constitution Hall in honor of this foundational document of our government. It hosts a variety of events and meetings and is the largest concert hall in our nation’s capital.
One of the largest patriotic women’s organizations in the world, DAR has 190,000 members in approximately 3,000 chapters across the country and several foreign countries. DAR members promote historic preservation, education and patriotism via commemorative events, scholarships and educational initiatives, citizenship programs, service to veterans, meaningful community service and more. For additional information about DAR and its relevant mission, visit www.dar.org. For information about the local chapter, Craig Valley, please contact Regent Tina Crawford at craigvalleychapternsdar@gmail.com.
-Submitted by Craig Valley DAR
