Bells Across America, a celebration honoring the signing of the U.S. Constitution, was observed Thursday, Sept. 17.
The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution organizes the annual event. Representatives of the DAR’s Martha Jefferson Randolph Chapter rang bells at 3 p.m. at Parkside Baptist Church following the chapter’s meeting. The symbolic act was reminiscent of the church bells that rang in Philadelphia when the Constitution was signed in 1787.
Area churches and members of the public were also invited to ring bells at that time or observe a moment of silence to honor the principles of justice, tranquility, common defense, general welfare and liberty set forth in the Constitution.
The DAR initiated the tradition in 1955, when the organization petitioned Congress to set aside Sept. 17-23 annually for the observance of Constitution Week. The resolution was later adopted by Congress and signed Aug. 2, 1956, by President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
According to the DAR, the celebration is intended to emphasize unity and citizens’ responsibilities in protecting and defending the Constitution; inform the public about the Constitution and its role in American government; and encourage the study of the events that led to the framing of the Constitution in September 1787.
For more information about the Martha Jefferson Randolph Chapter, email [email protected]
Source: Freepik.com