Constitution Week begins today! Since 1955 when the NSDAR first petitioned Congress to dedicate September 17 -23 of each year to celebrate the Constitution, our organization has worked hard to make sure that our nation does not forget the amazing document that governs our country. The goal then, which has remained to this day is 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. *
This year marks the 19th Anniversary of the TSDAR Capitol Constitution Bell Week Ringing. Due to Covid-19 and regulations surrounding the usage of the State Capitol building and grounds, this year all interested Tennessee Daughters will be able to attend the Bell Ringing Celebration via Zoom. Now to held virtually, you and your chapter are invited to join us on Zoom this Sunday September 20 at 3 p.m. Eastern/ 2:00 p.m. Central. Pre-registration is required and the form can be found here. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting along with the meeting link. I am so pleased that this joint effort of the TSDAR Constitution Week Committee and the Knox County Regent’s Council will be able to continue our wonderful tradition, albeit virtually. This year’s speaker will be Professor Chris Magra, Ph.D from the University of Tennessee History Department, and he will be speaking on Elbridge Gerry and the Birth of the Bill of Rights.
This past weekend I had the opportunity to speak to the Memphis – Shelby County Regents’ Council on a few of the lesser known Constitutional signers. One of those signers was Roger Sherman. A cobbler turned lawyer, Sherman was 66 at the the time of the signing of the Constitution, and one of the oldest delegates. Thomas Jefferson said of him “He never said a foolish thing in his life.” Credited with the creation of the Great Compromise that brought us a House based on state population and a Senate with equal state representation, Sherman was the only signer to have signed all 4 of the foundational documents for our country: Articles of Association, Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, and the Constitution.
The 39 Delegates to the Constitutional Convention that ultimately signed were a unique and varied group of gentlemen. A few fun facts include the following: Seven Signers were Immigrants, Six Signers also Signed the Declaration of Independence, Three Signers were Bachelors, Two Signers Died in Duels, and One Signer signed by Proxy.
To find out just which signer each fun fact applies, I challenge you to learn more about this group of extraordinary men during Constitution Week. At the end of the week I will share the answers to each fun fact with you. To help with your investigations a full list of signers by state is below. I hope to see you on at the Bell Ringing Sunday, Sept. 20 for our special celebration!
In Service, Cecile
*history excerpt from NSDAR Constitution Week Web Page
