Members of the Bernard Romans DAR Chapter and Shuk-ho-ta Tom-a-ha DAR chapter in Columbus will gather today at 2 p.m. at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church to ring church bells in celebration of Constitution Day. The public is invited to the church at 318 College St. to help mark the beginning of Constitution Week, which is Sept. 17-23. The community is also encouraged to visit a related display by Sarah Lee at the Columbus-Lowndes Public Library.
The DAR — Daughters of the American Revolution — was instrumental in starting Constitution Week, which is celebrating its 62nd anniversary this year.
National Society DAR Past President Gen. Gertrude S. Carraway was responsible for the annual designation of the September dates. The DAR made its own resolution for Constitution Week, which was adopted April 21, 1955. Members of the United States Congress received the DAR resolution and took up discussion. The first resolution to observe Constitution Week was made June 14, 1955, by Sen. William F. Knowland of California. Following the passage of the resolution by both Houses of Congress, President Dwight Eisenhower issued his proclamation on Aug. 19, 1955.
The first observance of Constitution Week was so successful that on Jan. 5, 1956, Sen. Knowland introduced a Senate Joint Resolution to have the president designate Sept. 17-23 annually as Constitution Week. The resolution was adopted on July 23, 1956, and signed into Public Law 915 on Aug. 2, 1956.
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