As America prepares to celebrate U.S. Constitution Week, members of the Don José Verdugo Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution have been busy placing displays at both the Glendale Main Library and La Cañada Flintridge Library to encourage citizens to reflect on the country’s heritage of freedom.

When the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution petitioned Congress in 1955 to set aside Sept. 17-23 annually to be dedicated to observe Constitution Week, the fledgling Don José Verdugo Chapter was only two years old, having formed in 1953. National’s resolution was adopted by the U.S. Congress and signed into public law by President Dwight D. Eisenhower on Aug. 2, 1956. Since that time, Don José Verdugo Chapter members have worked to bring awareness and the history of the Constitution to our local communities.

Lynne Thompson, newly installed chapter regent said, “This display is to commemorate one of America’s most important documents, yet it is one of our country’s least known official observances. Members Suzanne Stanfill, Joan Carruthers and Connie Cianciarulo have worked hard to bring the Constitution to the forefront in these displays and I encourage everyone to visit.”

The principles of DAR are to perpetuate the memory and spirit of men and women who fought for and achieved American independence, to preserve historical landmarks, documents, relics and records of service by Revolutionary soldiers and patriots.

More than 930,000 members have been admitted since its founding in 1890. DAR is known as the largest women’s patriotic organization in the world. There are currently over 170,000 members with approximately 3,000 chapters in all 50 states and 11 foreign countries. DAR is a lineage society that is a non-profit, charitable organization dedicated to patriotism, historic preservation, and education. Any woman 18 years or older, regardless of race, religion, or ethnic background, who can prove lineal descent from a patriot of the American Revolution, is eligible for membership. To learn more visit www.dar.org or contact the Don José Verdugo Chapter at (818) 249-5472.