The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) General William Maxwell Chapter, which serves Warren and Hunterdon Counties, recently celebrated National Constitution Week. The weeklong commemoration of America’s most important document included a visit with Warren County Freeholders and to Oxford Street School.

Chapter members Sue Beall and Jan Hunold present Constitution-themed baskets to Oxford Street School Principal Christopher Karabinus.

The visit to Oxford Street School, in Belvidere, included the presentation of Constitution-related items to Principal Christopher Karabinus. The baskets included copies of the Constitution, U.S. Flag Code, patriotic pencils and school supplies, posters, and similar items for use in the eighth grade history classrooms.

At the Freeholders meeting on Sept. 14, representatives of the chapter issued the 2016 Constitution Proclamation.

The tradition of celebrating the Constitution began in 1955 when the national DAR organization petitioned Congress to mark a week each September to honor the document. President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed a resolution the following year to the effect, with the aim to emphasize citizens’ responsibilities for protecting and defending the Constitution, providing an opportunity to inform the people of its importance, and to encourage the study of the history that led to its creation.

Known as the largest women’s patriotic organization in the world, DAR has over 180,000 members with approximately 3,000 chapters in all 50 states and 13 foreign countries. The DAR has long promoted patriotism through commemorative celebrations, memorials, scholarships and activities for children, and programs for new immigrants.