Celebrate the Foundation of America

RENOVO, PA – There are two documents of paramount importance to American history: the Declaration of Independence, which forged our national identity, & 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 & protects the freedoms central to our American way of life. Each year the annual celebration begins September 17.

The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) initiated the observance in 1955, when the organization petitioned the U.S. Congress to dedicate September 17-23 of each year to be a 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 inform people that the Constitution is the basis of America’s great heritage & the foundation of our way of life; and to emphasize U.S. citizens’ responsibility to protect, defend & preserve the Constitution.

DAR has been the foremost advocate for the awareness, promotion & celebration of Constitution Week. This annual observance provides innumerable opportunities for educational initiatives & community outreach, two mission areas of crucial importance to the National Society’s work. By fostering knowledge of & appreciation for the Constitution & the inalienable rights it affords to all Americans, DAR helps to keep alive the memory of the men & women who secured our nation’s independence, whose bravery & 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 DAR President General Denise Doring VanBuren. “Their vision was so forward thinking that their words still guide us today. No American history education can be complete without a thorough understanding of the impact the Constitution has had on the lives of American citizens past & present.”

One of the largest patriotic women’s organizations in the world, DAR has more that 185,000 members in approximately 3,000 chapters across the country & even in numerous foreign countries. DAR strives to promote historic preservation, education & patriotism via commemorative events, scholarships & education initiatives, citizenship programs, service to veterans, meaningful community service & more. For more information about DAR & its programs, visit www.dar.org