County commissioners support Constitution Week

SIDNEY --  The Cheyenne County Commissioners today signed a declaration affirming Constitution Week as September 17-23.

The proposal was made by Glenda Condon. Condon said the Daughters of the American Revolution is an organization that requires tracked lineage to the American Revolution. She told the commissioners they were her last stop in gathering support for Constitution Week.

"My main ancestor, the one that I used initially, is a direct line through my father. He is my third great-grandfather. He is one of seven sons, all who served, and two died. 

Condon said the DAR is a lineage organization that requires proof that an ancestor supported the American Revolution. She said support could be providing housing or financial support for the American Revolution. 

Constitution Day and Constitution Week commemorate the signing of the U.S. Constitution.

In 1955, the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) petitioned the U.S. Congress to recognize September 17-23 as Constitution Week. The recognition would be an annual event to commemorate the history of the U.S. Constitution, its importance and to bring attention to how it serves more than two centuries later. The resolution was later adopted by the U.S. Congress and signed into public law on Aug. 2, 1956, by President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

As part of the celebration, residents are encouraged to ring bells for one minute at 4 p.m. September 17. Church bells rang in Philadelphia when the U.S. Constitution was first signed on Sept. 17, 1787.

Bells Across America is an annual celebration of the signing of the U.S. Constitution. Participants gather to ring bells, much as the church bells of Philadelphia rang out when the U.S. Constitution was first signed at 4 pm on September 17, 1787.

The United States Constitution, America’s most important document, stands as a testament to the tenacity of Americans throughout history to maintain their liberties, freedoms and inalienable rights, according to the dar.org website.