HEAR YE! HEAR YE! Time to Ring the Bells and Honor our Constitution!
Holly Blair, National Chair, Constitution Week Committee

Let us ring out bells large and small to celebrate 234 years of the United States Constitution on September 17 at 4:00 p.m. EDT. Why this date and time?  Because the U.S. Constitution was signed in Philadelphia, Penn., at the Pennsylvania State House (now Independence Hall) on September 17, 1787, at 4:00 p.m.

This is an exciting week for Daughters, as we work within our local communities to celebrate this great governance document. As you know, we promise to uphold the Constitution of the United States when we take our oath as members of the Daughters of the American Revolution.  This is our week to spread an appreciation for the Constitution within our greater communities by hosting events, ringing bells, raising awareness and educating Americans of all ages about this immortal document.

The DAR Constitution Week Committee was formed in 1966. Constitution Week had become law a decade earlier in 1956, when President Dwight Eisenhower signed it as follows:
Now, Therefore, I, Dwight D. Eisenhower, President of the United States of America, do hereby designate the period beginning September 17 and ending September 23, 1956, as Constitution Week; and I urge the people of the United States to observe that week with appropriate ceremonies and activities in their schools and churches, and in other suitable places. I also urge them at that time to give solemn and grateful thought to that eventful week in September 1787 when our Constitution was signed, delivered to the Continental Congress, and made known to the people of the country, thus laying the foundation for the birth of a new Nation.

There are many ways to share information about our Constitution while having fun at the same time. Looking for ideas? Go to the Members website, click Committees and then select Constitution Week. Everything you need is there -- an introduction about Constitution Week, information about the Preamble, Constitution Week Minutes, activities and a planning calendar. There’s an entire Constitution Week Toolbox waiting to inspire you. Each tab has links to content such as sample Proclamations, media releases, Constitution facts and much more. The website also has a webinar for use at chapter meetings so that we can “Rise and Shine” together to make this the best Constitution Week ever!

The DAR Store has a wide supply of Constitution Week supplies. Every year the national winning poster is sold; there is also an “evergreen” Constitution Week poster available that may be used from year to year. Certificates, bookmarks and puzzles are available by visiting the DAR Store. Create patriotic displays in libraries, town halls and anywhere the public might see them. Include bookmarks, pencils, Constitution facts and booklets. If you like to create your own supplies, there are many samples to print, including pages to color, birthday cards, bookmarks and pictures for use as posters. In libraries, feature books on the Constitution as part of your display.  Don’t forget to reach out to local classrooms. Dress in period costume when visiting schools and maybe even stage a historical play.

And be sure to use social and traditional media to promote Constitution Week. Newspapers, radio and television are great avenues to spread the word. Sample media releases and radio/television announcements are ready for your use. And why not think really big? Outdoor billboards on highways, banners and signage create a positive and attention-getting message for Constitution Week.

Please consider entering our annual Constitution Week Poster Contest. The official entry form is located under the Contest and Awards tab of our Committee Page on the Members’ website. Please also share your activities and post on the DAR Constitution Week Facebook Page to inspire other members and chapters.

Constitution Week, September 17-23, will soon be here.  Plan now to ring out the news about this important document, which forms the basis of our democracy within a republic.

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