CELEBRATING 2025 Constitution Week
Do you remember memorizing these words when you were a student? “We the People of the
United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic
Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the
Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution
for the United States of America.”
This of course is the Preamble to the United States Constitution which was signed at 4:00 p.m.
on September 17, 1787, at the culmination of the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia,
establishing the foundation upon which this nation has set itself apart not only as the land of
opportunity and freedom, but as an inspiration to the entire free world. This event was
commemorated by the ringing of bells which continues annually across America.
In 1955, the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR), a non
political service organization of women who can trace their lineage to a Revolutionary War
patriot, petitioned Congress to establish a week to commemorate the signing of the U.S.
Constitution. Congress responded by passing a resolution which was signed by President
Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1956 designating Constitution Week, September 17 to 23, as an
annual event.
Several activities planned by the Big Cypress and Marco Island Chapters of the NSDAR will
celebrate Constitution Week this September.
The Naples City Council will issue a proclamation at its meeting on September 3, and the Marco
Island City Council will issue a proclamation on September 8. The First Presbyterian Church, 250
Sixth Street South in Naples, will ring bells from its carillon on September 17 at 4 p.m. as part of
the Bells Across America. Prior to the bell ringing, there will be a short ceremony at 3:45 p.m.
on the church grounds.
The Big Cypress Chapter will have displays at the Collier County Library Headquarters Regional
Branch and the South Regional Branch for one month starting August 30. Prior to the bell
ringing at the church on September 17, there will be a tabletop display with informational
handouts about Constitution Week and the America250 celebration from 1 to 3 p.m. at the
nearby Naples Regional Library Branch on Central Avenue. The public is encouraged to view the
displays and listen to the bell ringing. If you have a bell at home or at your organization, stop to
reflect and ring your bell at 4:00 p.m.
Constitution Week is a wonderful time to be thankful for one of the greatest documents ever
written and its continuing relevance to the United States and the free world.