Our legislators place it in the Tennessee statutes that the department of education shall promote this event as “ Celebrate Freedom Week” with “resources and materials,“ to be taught in compliance with Tennessee Code Title 49. Yet, our local Board of Education here in Fentress County knows nothing about it. What happened?
In 1955, the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) petitioned Congress to set aside September 17-23 annually to be dedicated for the observance of Constitution Week. The resolution was later adopted by the U.S. Congress and signed into public law on August 2, 1956, by President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
DAR’s purpose is the following: to emphasize citizens’ responsibilities for protecting and defending the Constitution; inform people that the Constitution is the basis for America’s great heritage and the foundation for our way of life; and, encourage the study of the historical events which led to the framing of the Constitution in September 1787.
A call to the local Education Board pointed us towards the Social Studies standards set forth by the Tennessee Department of Education. We reviewed it. (We double dog dare parents to read what their children are supposed to be learning.)
We found Constitution lessons starting 4thgrade, then 8th grade and high school. A section here and there, amidst the multitude of pages of world history, African American history, and social studies with lists of standards we personally found quite daunting, especially 8th grade. Even with two college degrees. But we digress.
So. The Constitution is included in the standards. But what we do not see is what has been declared and signed annually by Governor Bill Lee- a Constitution week to be called Celebrate Freedom Week with appropriate lessons and celebrations. Remember from your government studies it is the legislative branch’s duty to make laws. It is the executive branch to execute said laws.
Therefore, it is encumbered upon Gov. Lee’s executive agency the Department of Education and the Commissioner of Education to make sure this is a standard or provide otherwise. What happened?
The legislature commemorated Constitution Week in 2022, and DAR will sponsor a 23rd annual ringing of the bells on September 25 on the State Capitol grounds. DAR sponsors celebrations events in many counties in Tennessee. What about the schools?
We are in sore need of a Constitutional remembrance, or maybe a revival.
A common cry from the left is to save democracy. We are not a democracy. We are a Constitutional Republic. And we need to preserve it.
Our founding fathers saved us from democracy, where the majority mobs rule.
Instead, we have equal representation through elected representatives that protect the minority, people and states. This is under attack.
We need to remember and celebrate what really protects us, written in our Constitution, the inalienable rights that cannot be taken away—life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, given by God, written in blood by those who pledged their lives and fortunes to give it to us. And they lost both. Our children need to know. And we need to remember.
Call the Governor’s office and ask why this is not being honored in our schools. You can reach his office at (615) 741-2001.
Constitution Day, September 17th. Did We Miss It?
Constitution Day, September 17th. Did We Miss It?
Image Credit: Canva
Submitted by Anne Featherston [Founder of Tennessee Action Group] –
Governor Bill Lee declared September 17-23, 2025 as Constitution Week, as he has annually during his term.
Our legislators place it in the Tennessee statutes that the department of education shall promote this event as “ Celebrate Freedom Week” with “resources and materials,“ to be taught in compliance with Tennessee Code Title 49. Yet, our local Board of Education here in Fentress County knows nothing about it. What happened?
In 1955, the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) petitioned Congress to set aside September 17-23 annually to be dedicated for the observance of Constitution Week. The resolution was later adopted by the U.S. Congress and signed into public law on August 2, 1956, by President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
DAR’s purpose is the following: to emphasize citizens’ responsibilities for protecting and defending the Constitution; inform people that the Constitution is the basis for America’s great heritage and the foundation for our way of life; and, encourage the study of the historical events which led to the framing of the Constitution in September 1787.
A call to the local Education Board pointed us towards the Social Studies standards set forth by the Tennessee Department of Education. We reviewed it. (We double dog dare parents to read what their children are supposed to be learning.)
We found Constitution lessons starting 4thgrade, then 8th grade and high school. A section here and there, amidst the multitude of pages of world history, African American history, and social studies with lists of standards we personally found quite daunting, especially 8th grade. Even with two college degrees. But we digress.
So. The Constitution is included in the standards. But what we do not see is what has been declared and signed annually by Governor Bill Lee- a Constitution week to be called Celebrate Freedom Week with appropriate lessons and celebrations. Remember from your government studies it is the legislative branch’s duty to make laws. It is the executive branch to execute said laws.
Therefore, it is encumbered upon Gov. Lee’s executive agency the Department of Education and the Commissioner of Education to make sure this is a standard or provide otherwise. What happened?
The legislature commemorated Constitution Week in 2022, and DAR will sponsor a 23rd annual ringing of the bells on September 25 on the State Capitol grounds. DAR sponsors celebrations events in many counties in Tennessee. What about the schools?
We are in sore need of a Constitutional remembrance, or maybe a revival.
A common cry from the left is to save democracy. We are not a democracy. We are a Constitutional Republic. And we need to preserve it.
Our founding fathers saved us from democracy, where the majority mobs rule.
Instead, we have equal representation through elected representatives that protect the minority, people and states. This is under attack.
We need to remember and celebrate what really protects us, written in our Constitution, the inalienable rights that cannot be taken away—life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, given by God, written in blood by those who pledged their lives and fortunes to give it to us. And they lost both. Our children need to know. And we need to remember.
Call the Governor’s office and ask why this is not being honored in our schools. You can reach his office at (615) 741-2001.