The idea that all men have the inalienable right to be free and live their lives under their own governance was not only the impetus for the American Revolution, but for the document that continues today to serve as the bedrock of that idea, the United States Constitution.

The weeklong national observance of that landmark document, celebrated as Constitution Week, begins Monday, Sept. 17.

Closer to home, the San Juan Islands Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution will commemorate Constitution Week with special assembly at Friday Harbor Elementary School Sept. 16, and by receiving proclamations from the San Juan County Council, Sept. 16 as well, and from the Friday Harbor Town Council Sept. 19.

The aim of of Constitution Week is three-fold, according to DAR: to emphasize citizen’s responsibilities for protecting and defending the Constitution, preserving it for posterity, inform the people that the Constitution is the basis for America’s great heritage and the foundation for its way of life, and to encourage the study of historical events that led to the framing of the Constitution, in 1787.

DAR encourages islanders to take time during the Constitution Week to reflect on the nation’s heritage of freedom and to come together to celebrate America.

For more information about DAR and Constitution Week, visit, www.dar.org