Celebrate the foundation of America during Constitution Week

Daughters of the American Revolution urges Americans to reflect on the United States Constitution during the annual observance, Sept. 17-23, to honor this foundational document. President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed this observance into Public Law #915, in 1956.

Martha Devotion Huntington, the local DAR chapter, has celebrated Constitution Week for 10 years with the placement of signs and posters.

One year ago, our scope enlarged with the distribution of free pocket-size editions of the U.S. Constitution to the 8th grade social studies students at Bay Middle School. This year, we have added St. Raphael’s Parish School in the distribution of editions. A total of 250 books will be distributed to the two schools.

There is a display at the Bay Library with some bookmarks and copies of the Preamble of the Constitution. The entire Constitution is online at the U.S. Archives and includes the Amendments, the Bill of Rights and how they are introduced. Visit www.archives.gov/founding-docs/constitution. Copies are also available through Congressional public officials.

Mayor Paul Koomar will make a proclamation in honor of the observance, which will appear on the City of Bay Village website. 

The DAR enlisted the aid of local churches to ring their bells on Sunday, Sept. 17, at 4:00 p.m, marking the beginning of the meeting of the representatives in Philadelphia to create the constitution.

St. Barnabas in Bay, St Mary's in Olmsted Falls and the historic Olmsted Falls Chapel all rang their bells. Co-chairman Jennifer McKeigue was the bell ringer at the Olmsted Falls Chapel.

For further information about the Constitution Week celebration or membership in the DAR, contact Doris Hayden Gorgas at lablady76@gmail.com.