U.S. independence is celebrated in grand fashion, but the anniversary of the document on which the U.S. government it based passes with only quiet recognition.
That anniversary week begins today, Friday, Sept. 17 and continues through Thursday, Sept. 23.
Payson Mayor Kenny Evans declared Sept. 17-23 to be Constitution Week for the town of Payson. The proclamation was issued at the request of the Mogollon Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
The Constitution stands as a testament to the tenacity of Americans throughout history to maintain their liberties and freedom, and to ensure those unalienable rights to every American, organizers said.
The tradition of celebrating the Constitution was started many years ago by the Daughters of the American Revolution. 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 the U.S. Congress and signed into law Aug. 2, 1956 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
The aims of the celebration are to:
• Emphasize citizens’ responsibilities for protecting and defending the Constitution, preserving it for posterity;
• Inform the people that the Constitution is the basis for America’s great heritage and the foundation for our way of life; and
• Encourage the study of the historical events which led to the framing of the Constitution in September 1787.
As part of its Constitution Week celebration, the Mogollon Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution will give out free copies of the Constitution at the Payson Public Library between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Friday, Sept. 17.
In 1928, the DAR began work on a building as a memorial to the Constitution. John Russell Pope, architect of the Jefferson Memorial, was commissioned to design the performing arts center, known as DAR Constitution Hall.