Constitution Week honored with Tenth Annual Bell Ringing Ceremony

On Sunday, Sept. 10, the State of Franklin Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR), will host its Tenth Annual Bell Ringing in honor of Constitution Week. The event takes place at 1:30 p.m. at Oak Hill School, located at 214 East Sabin Drive in Jonesborough across from the Jonesborough Public Library.

The program will focus on the history of the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution that reads, “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.”

The program will include music, proclamations, re-enactors and the history of enslavement and abolition in Jonesborough. Several heritage groups will be participating, including the Kings Mountain NSSAR, the Over mountain Victory Trail Association and participation from other local chapters of the NSDAR.

Attendees are asked to bring their own chair and a bell to ring. Seating will not be provided on site.

The Daughters of the American Revolution began the tradition of celebrating  to emphasize citizens’ responsibilities for protecting and defending the Constitution. In 1955, the DAR petitioned Congress to set aside September 17-23 annually to be dedicated for the observance of Constitution Week. The resolution was adopted by Congress and signed into law on August 2, 1956, by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. The State of Franklin Chapter of the NSDAR has been based in Jonesborough since 1929.