America Celebrates U.S. Constitution

James Waldrop Chapter DAR Promotes Constitution Week Awareness in Fayette County

Friday, September 17, 2010, 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.

"We must remember and teach that those who wrote the Constitution believed that no government can create freedom, but that government must guard freedom rather than encroach upon the freedoms of its people" stated Merry Ann T. Wright, President General of the DAR. "The Constitution by itself cannot guarantee liberty. A nation’s people can remain free only by being responsible citizens who are willing to learn about the rights of each arm of government and require that each is accountable for its own function. Therefore, Constitution Week is the perfect opportunity to read and study this great document which is the safeguard of our American liberties.  We encourage all citizens across the country to take time this week to guard that which is committed to us by our forefathers... our freedom."

DAR has served America for 120 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.

The James Waldrop Chapter DAR in Fayetteville, Georgia, has spoken to over 1300 students in the Fayette County Schools on the history of the Constitution over the last three years.  For more information on the James Waldrop Chapter DAR, contact jameswaldrop.fayettevillega@yahoo.com.



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The Bill of Rights Institute Celebrates Constitution Day, September 17, 2010 with Free Resources for Teachers

(Vocus) On September 17, 2010, the Bill of Rights Institute will celebrate Constitution Day with new educational materials for teachers across the country.

The Bill of Rights Institute’s newest resource, Life Without the Bill of Rights? is a click-and-explore activity that puts your students in control asking them to consider how life would change without some of our most cherished freedoms. Life Without the Bill of Rights? invites your students to understand the significance of their constitutionally-protected rights including freedom of religion, speech, and press; freedom from unreasonable search and seizure; and the rights of private property.

Other free resources include an Interactive Module that allows students to “travel through time” to converse with the Founders and report on the Constitutional Convention. Students will also match quotes to Founders who said them, and complete a constitutional crossword puzzle.

Available for download is a 12-page Celebrate the Constitution: Why Do We Have a Constitution? activity booklet. The free booklet features interactive games and content that informs readers about constitutional principles such as freedom of speech, federalism, how a bill becomes a law, and the history of the Constitution and Constitutional Convention.

“We are truly grateful to our supporters and the teachers we have worked with for helping us reconnect young Americans to our Founding principles,” said Dr. Jason Ross, Bill of Rights Institute Vice President of Education Programs.

All materials and more FREE resources can be found on our Constitution Day Resource Page.

Use #ConDay to follow the conversation about Constitution Day on Twitter.

The Bill of Rights Institute, founded in 1999, is a nonprofit educational organization. The mission of the Bill of Rights Institute is to educate young people about the words and ideas of America's Founders, the liberties guaranteed in our Founding documents, and how our Founding principles continue to affect and shape a free society.

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Privacy and the Constitution

American colonists fought, sacrificed, and died to establish and preserve the freedoms now guaranteed to us by the Constitution of the United States. The right to privacy has come to the public's attention through various controversial Supreme Court rulings. Privacy is not specifically mentioned in the Constitution, but over the years the Supreme Court has made decisions that have established that the right to privacy is a basic human right and as such is protected by virtue of the 9th Amendment.

The James Waldrop Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution reminds all Americans to study the Constitution, know your rights, and know what it says and does not say.

The James Waldrop Chapter DAR is chartered in Fayetteville, Georgia.

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