The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution — which has an Apache Trail Chapter in Apache Junction — urges Americans to reflect on the U.S. Constitution during this month’s annual observance in honor this foundational document of national governance.

“There are two documents of paramount importance to American history: the Declaration of Independence, which forged our national identity, and the U.S. Constitution, which set forth the framework for the federal government functions to this day,” DAR President Gen. Denise Doring VanBuren said in a release. “While Independence Day is a well-recognized and beloved national holiday, fewer people know about Constitution Week, an annual commemoration of the living document that upholds and protects the freedoms central to our American way of life.”

The DAR initiated the observance in 1955, when the service organization petitioned the U.S. Congress to dedicate Sept. 17-23 of each year to the commemoration of Constitution Week. Congress adopted the resolution, and on Aug. 2, 1956, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed it into Public Law No. 915.

The celebration’s goals are threefold: to encourage the study of the historical events that led to the framing of the Constitution in September 1787, to remind the public that the Constitution is the basis of America’s great heritage and the foundation for its way of life, and to emphasize U.S. Citizens’ responsibility to protect, defend and preserve the U.S. Constitution.

DAR has more than 190,000 members in approximately 3,000 chapters across the country and several foreign countries. DAR members promote historic preservation, education, and patriotism via commemorative events, scholarships and educational initiatives, citizenship programs, service to veterans, meaningful community service and more.

Go to dar.org