On Monday, Sept. 17, 2012, the United States marks the 225th anniversary of the signing of our U.S. Constitution.
The Honorable William Samuel Johnson, LL.D., who was born and lived in Stratford, contributed to some of our most important United States history, having been one of the signers of the United States Constitution back on Sept. 17, 1787 at the Philadelphia Constitutional Convention.
Dr. Johnson was one of Connecticut's three U.S. Constitutional delegates, the other two being Roger Sherman and Oliver Ellsworth (although not a signer).
Our U.S. Constitution is the legal document that is the supreme law of the United States of America, with the first articles specifying the rules and separate powers of the three branches of our federal government and also clarified the state's duties and their powers.
The first ten amendments are known as our nation's Bill of Rights. Our U.S. Constitution is a document which protects our freedom of speech, and religion as well as many more important rights that many other countries do not have. Over many years Congress has added many more very important amendments.
Stratford was an important part of our nation's early history, having played a role in its formation that we need to remember on its 225th anniversary of the signing of our U.S. Constitution. And, we also need to remember of the work and sacrifices of the many other patriots and veteran's service which allow us to continue the many freedoms we enjoy today, and that we should never take for granted.
The has a special display for Constitution Week September 17-21 and will keep it on display the entire month of September.
Here are two websites that give further information about our U.S. Constitution and the 225th anniversary of its signing:
http://www.constitutionday.com/
http://constitutioncenter.org/
Written by Charlene Johnson: a member of the DAR. Any woman over 18 who can prove an ancestor served in the American Revolution is a prospective member. For more information on the DAR go online at http://www.sarahriggshumphreysDAR.org or call Sarah Riggs Humphreys-Mary Silliman Chapter Regent Barbara Wells at 203-550-9643. This DAR Chapter is comprised of over 70 members and is highly active in civic and patriotic events and projects in many surrounding towns of Derby, CT. Each year on our nation's U.S. Constitution anniversary, the DAR coordinates the local churches at 4 p.m. to ring their bells in honor of the 13 Colonies and their signing of the US Constitution.
