On September 17, 1787, members of the Constitutional Convention signed the final draft of the United States Constitution.

For almost 250 years, the Constitution has been the most important document in our American history and government.  In fact, today, the U.S Constitution is the world’s longest-surviving written charter of government, and it remains a model for democratic nations around the world.

This sacred document established our national government and fundamental laws and has protected and guaranteed certain basic rights to citizens of the United States.

Each year, we Americans are encouraged to observe Constitution Day and Citizenship Day. The commemoration of Constitution Week runs annually from September 17 to September 23.

Constitution Day was officially enacted on August 2, 1956 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower from a congressional resolution petitioned by the Daughters of the American Revolution. George W. Bush officially declared the inception of Constitution Week in September 2002.

Unlike the Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union, the Constitution of the United States draws its power not from states, but from the people. 

Indeed, its preamble expressed a revolutionary idea in 1787. Ordinary people can create and participate in a government to serve their interests, structured to provide for orderly representation and law-making, a fair justice system and an elected president in the three branches of government: the legislative, the judicial, and the executive.

In the age of kings and queens, this was an astonishing idea. How could ordinary people govern themselves? How could such a system check itself for overreach? How could a president agree to relinquish power should he not be re-elected? Despite the naysayers, this government survived, and the idea of self-government has swept the world.

Our local DAR chapter, the Gen. James Winchester Chapter, encourages you to embrace your role as a member of “We the People.”

Read the Constitution, learn about it and your government and get involved. 

Remember, “We the People” only works if we all participate.  The Gen. James Winchester Chapter here in Franklin County is currently 81 members strong and growing.

We are just over 30 years old (chartered in 1991) and named for Gen. James Winchester, a captain in the American Revolution who later became a brigadier general in the War of 1812.

Gen. Winchester was an early Tennessee pioneer, a merchant, a miller, a land developer in 1785 and the founder of the city of Memphis.  Because of his patriotism and service, our county seat was named for him.

The founding chapter members appropriately named the local chapter for him as most of our members are from Franklin County. 

This week, we encourage Americans to reflect on the rights and responsibilities of citizenship and what it means to be a U.S. citizen. The Constitution Tea is our traditional celebration of the week.

On Sunday, General Sessions Judge David Stewart honored our members by relaying a few of his favorite patriot stories leading up to the need for the development of the Constitution in the early days of our country’s independence from Great Britain. 

In addition, he provided insight into how our Constitution plays a pivotal role in his daily work and those of others in our judiciary system.

Judge Stewart is the third generation of Stewart judges to address our chapter for this event with his father Jeff and grandfather Fricks coming before him. Additionally, his grandmother, Beulah Stewart, was a founding member of the chapter. It was truly a special day for all.

Local Chapter Regent Wendy Moore offered her thoughts on the importance of this week: “Our chapter is working hard to educate and keep the ‘stars & stripes forever’ spirit ever present in our hearts. We must never take our freedoms for granted. We have been handed a sacred trust by those who pledged their lives and fortunes to the idea of freedom, the idea that was, and is, America. Our actions today impact future generations who deserve our best efforts to preserve those freedoms.  It’s important to bring along the next generations with the patriotism that we have enjoyed, and it takes all of us getting involved.  Remember, that our Constitution guarantees that our government serves us, not the other way around.  This is increasingly important, and we need to remain vigilant in our protection of our Constitution as we continue to grow in diverse populations and be pulled onto the increasing pressures of the global stage.”

Many of our members welcome opportunities to speak to classrooms, and the chapter will be stepping up visibility as we approach the 250^th birthday of our nation in 2026. It’s an exciting time for our nation and a great time to become involved in our local chapter!

If you would like our help in researching your ancestry in hopes of identifying a Revolutionary War patriot which would deem you eligible to join the DAR, please contact Regent Wendy Moore at wendy@edge.net or Registrar Joy Gallagher at gallagherjq@gmail.com. We would love to help you become part of our organization!

This editorial was provided by the Gen. James Winchester Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.