The Commerce Journal
COMMERCE —
Sept. 17 begins the national celebration of Constitution Week. The Captain Charles Croxall Chapter, NSDAR, will be hosting a Constitution Week Ceremony at the Flag Pole at Commerce City Hall, 1119 Alamo Street, Sept. 17, at noon.
The Mayor of Commerce will be presenting a formal proclamation recognizing Constitution Week, Sept. 17 – 23. The public is encouraged to attend this very important event. Also, all business, churches, and institutions which have bells are encouraged to ring them at 4 p.m. on Sept. 17, which will coincide with the simultaneous ringing of bells across America at the time the Constitution was signed.
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 Sept. 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 Aug. 2, 1956 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
The aims of the celebration are to emphasize citizens’ responsibilities for protecting and defending the Constitution, preserving it for posterity; inform the people that the Constitution is the basis for America’s great heritage and the foundation for our way of life; and 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.
Constitution Week is the perfect opportunity to read and study this great document which is the safeguard of our American liberties. All citizens across the country are encouraged to take time this week to reflect on our heritage of freedom.
