Special to the Enquirer

Communities throughout the nation will be celebrating the spirit and meaning of the country’s Constitution beginning Sept. 17. On this day in 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia 39 delegates at the Constitutional Convention signed the Constitution of the United States of America. Nearly 170 years later, in 1955, DAR spearheaded an effort to set aside one week annually when Americans could celebrate this iconic signing. After petitioning Congress to set aside the week of September 17-23, on August 2, 1956, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed Constitution Week into law, local chapters of NSDAR celebrate with many events to honor this founding document.  

Celebrations begin with Bells Across America, on Sept. 17, when bells across the country are rung simultaneously at 4 p.m. The week also features displays in libraries and other locations.; Proclamations were signed by Gov. Kay Ivey, Hartselle Mayor Randy A. Garrison and Dr. Brian Clayton, Superintendent of the Hartselle City Schools. Additionally, proclamations were signed by Keith Abercrombie, radio station WQAH 105.7 and David Norwood, radio station WALW 97.9. For ways that you and your community can join the celebration go to Constitution Week, Daughters of the American Revolution (dar.org).