Today begins the national celebration of Constitution Week.
Every year, the Elizabeth Maxwell Steele Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution in Salisbury promotes this week, Sept. 17-23. The weeklong commemoration of Americaís most important document is one of our countryís least known official observances. A display at the Rowan Public Library on Fisher Street will provide information about this document for visitors, both children and adults. Area churches have been asked to ring their bells at 4 p.m. today. Mayor Susan W. Kluttz will read a proclamation at the City Council meeting on Sept. 20 declaring this as Constitution Week.
The tradition of celebrating the Constitution was started many years ago by the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), women who can trace their ancestry back to those who fought in the American Revolution War. 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 Congress and signed into Public Law No. 915 on Aug. 2, 1956, by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. The aims of the celebration are emphasizing posterity; informing the people that the Constitution is the basis for Americaís great heritage and the foundation for our way of life; and encouraging the study of the historical events that led to the framing of the Constitution in September 1787.
The Elizabeth Maxwell Steele unit is the second oldest DAR chapter in North Carolina. The chapter hopes to continue the tradition of drawing attention to the observance of Constitution Week.
Our Constitution stands as a testament to the tenacity of Americans throughout history to maintain their liberties and freedom, and ensure those inalienable rights to every American. 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. 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.
Those who wrote the Constitution believed that no government can create freedom, but that government must guard freedom rather than encroach upon the freedoms of its people. The Constitution by itself cannot guarantee liberty. A nationís people can remain free only by being responsible citizens who are willing to learn about the rights of each area of government and require that each is accountable for its own function.
Constitution Week provides the perfect opportunity to read and study this great document, the Constitution of the United States, which is the safeguard of American liberties. The Elizabeth Maxwell Steele Chapter of the DAR encourages everyone to take time during Constitution Week to reflect on our heritage of freedom.

Submitted by the Elizabeth Maxwell Steele Chapter of the DAR.