Celebrating the Foundation of the United States of America ~ DAR Promotes Constitution Week

The Ferro Monte Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) is celebrating Constitution Week. Mayor Rilee read the Council’s proclamation at the September 6th Roxbury Town Council meeting. Ferro Monte chapter members gave out Preamble to the Constitution bookmarks and pocket Constitutions at Suckasunny Day. The First Presbyterian Church of Succasunna joined churches across the country ringing church bells at 4pm on Saturday the 17th to commemorate the signing of the Constitution. 

Ferro Monte Chapter Regent Kim Armstrong and Constitution Week Chair Sue Anderson will be attending the naturalization ceremony at Washington's Headquarters in the Morristown National Park on Thursday September 22nd. Sue Anderson and Melvina Annis created a Constitution Week and 225th Anniversary of the Ratification of the Bill of Rights display that can be viewed in the lobby of the Roxbury Township Public Library throughout the month of September.

Two Documents of Paramount Importance to American History

The Declaration of Independence, which forged our national identity, and the United States Constitution, which set forth the framework for the federal government that is still in use today. Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) has been the foremost advocate for the awareness, promotion and celebration of Constitution Week. This annual observance provides innumerable opportunities for educational initiatives and community outreach, two mission areas of crucial importance to the Society’s work.

Establishing Constitution Week

The DAR initiated the observance in 1955, when the organization petitioned the U.S. Congress to dedicate September 17-23 of each year to the 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 to the historical events that led to the framing of the Constitution in September 1787; to inform people that the Constitution is the basis of American’s great heritage and the foundation of our way of life; and to emphasize U.S. citizens’ responsibility to protect, defend, and preserve the Constitution.

The NSDAR is a volunteer women’s service organization dedicated to promoting patriotism, historic preservation, and better education for children via commemorative events, scholarships and educational initiatives, citizenship programs, service to veterans, meaningful community service and more. Membership is open to any woman 18 year or older who can prove lineal descent from an ancestor who aided in achieving American Independence. For additional information or a DAR application email: FerroMonteDAR@gmail.com or visit our Facebook page.

Richard Henry Lee Introduces a Resolution for Independence

Richard Henry Lee

"That these United Colonies are, and of right out to be, free and independent States, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved; that measures should be immediately taken for procuring the assistance of foreign powers, and a Confederation be formed to bind the colonies more closely together." Richard Henry Lee to the Continental Congress June 7, 1776 in Philadelphia.

His resolution was seconded by John Adams. During the ensuing debate it became clear the Congress and public at large needed a document codifying why breaking with England was necessary and just. The document, the Declaration of Independence, written by Thomas Jefferson was presented to the Continental Congress on June 28^th and was passed unanimously on July 2, 1776. 

So who was Richard Henry Lee? He was a public servent from a distinguished Virginia family of public servants. There is a interesting biographic sketch on the American History site. The 1776 musical also delves into the Lee Family in this fun song. 

Happy 4th of July

Sunday is the 4^th of July, a time to celebrate with family & friends the start of this great nation. I’ll be celebrating by watching one of my favorite movies 1776. 234 years ago, the Continental Congress signed the Declaration of Independence. 1776 is a musical comedy that recreates the days leading up to the signing. It reminds me that We the People can unite to create an amazingly special country.