DAR commemorates the signing of the Constitution

Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), Sidney chapter, commemorated the signing of the Constitution of the United States of America this week.

In 1955, DAR 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 No. 915 on Aug. 2, 1956, by President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

This past week commemorated the 229th anniversary of the signing of the Constitution.

As part of the commemoration, DAR sent out a publication of announcements designed to celebrate and inform the public about the Constitution.

One announcement read "Our constitution, the cornerstone of our freedoms, was written to protect every American from the abuse of power by government. The fifth amendment states: 'No person shall be, deprived of life, liberty, or the property without due process of law' and it protects us from double jeopardy and self-incrimination. However, the phrases 'innocent until proven guilty' and 'presumption of innocence' are not found in the fifth Amendment. These phrases are derived from English law and are part of our system and considered common law."

DAR's announcements encourage the public to resolve to be better informed and responsible citizens by reading the Constitution and knowing their rights.

DAR was founded in 1890 and is headquartered in Washington D.C. The organization is a non-profit volunteer women's service organization dedicated to promoting patriotism, preserving American history, and securing America's future through better education for children.

DAR's Fort Sidney chapter was named in honor of the frontier fort that once provided protection to builders of the first continental rail line and early pioneer settlers, and was organized April 24, 1982.

Membership for DAR is done through an application process that proves descendancy to an ancestor who was a participant in gaining the nations freedom.