Sept. 17, 2026: 3:45 p.m.

Jefferson County Schools invites students, families, staff, and community members to attend Bells Across America: Celebration of Constitution Day on Thursday, September 17, 2026.

• Date: Thursday, September 17, 2026
• Time: Ceremony begins at 3:45 p.m.
• Location: Jefferson County Schools Central Office, 1221 Gay Street, Dandridge, TN

Freedom Bells: The first 100 attendees will receive a Freedom Bell.

Hosted in partnership with the Martha Dandridge Washington Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), the ceremony will lead up to the nationwide Bells Across America observance at 4 p.m. Eastern Time, when communities across the country ring bells to commemorate the signing of the United States Constitution and mark the beginning of Constitution Week.

Jefferson County Schools is honored to host this community event and invites all who are interested to attend.

 

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Constitution Week: September 17-23, 2026

Students across Jefferson County Schools learn about the importance of key founding documents including the Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights, and US Constitution.

Constitution Week was officially enacted on August 2, 1956, by President Dwight D. Eisenhower from a congressional resolution petitioned by the Daughters of the American Revolution. 

Visit the National Archives website to read the Constitution of the United States as well as other founding documents.

Constitution Facts

Provided by the  Martha Dandridge Washington Chapter, National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution’s (DAR):

1. September 17th through 23rd commemorates the signing of the Constitution of the United States of America. You might have even heard the phrase, “That’s unconstitutional” or “That’s my constitutional right!" Many times, Americans believe that sayings and phrases are in our Constitution, but they really aren’t. Use Constitution Week, September 17th to 23rd, to become better-informed and responsible citizens. Read the Constitution! The Martha Dandridge Washington Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution provided this announcement.

2. September 17th through 23rd commemorates the signing of the Constitution of the United States of America. Our Constitution, with 4,440 words, is the oldest and shortest written constitution of any government in the world. Founding Father John Adams called it 'the greatest single effort of national deliberation that the world has ever seen,' and George Washington described it as “little short of a miracle.” Learn more about why they felt this way by studying the Constitution. The Martha Dandridge Washington Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution provided this announcement.

3. Next week, September 17th to 23rd, is Constitution Week, celebrating the 238th anniversary of the signing of this great document. Did you know that phrases like “It's a free country” are not in the Constitution? While the First Amendment protects freedom of expression, it also has limitations for defamation, perjury, contempt of court, hate speech, and more. Study the Constitution, know your rights, and understand what it says and does not say. The Martha Dandridge Washington Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution provided this announcement.

4. Our Constitution, the cornerstone of our freedoms, was written to protect every American from government abuse of power. The Fifth Amendment states that “No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law.” Still, phrases like “innocent until proven guilty” are not in the Constitution. These phrases come from English law and are part of our common law system. Know your Constitution, know your rights, and understand what it says and does not say. The Martha Dandridge Washington Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution provided this announcement.

5. Constitution Week, September 17th to 23rd, commemorates the signing of the Constitution of the United States. Did you know that the only place “Lord” or any reference to God appears in the Constitution is in the date? Phrases like “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal” and “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness”' are not in the Constitution but are from the Declaration of Independence. Likewise, the quote “Of the people, by the people, and for the people” is from Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, not the Constitution. Study our Constitution. The Martha Dandridge Washington Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution provided this announcement.

6. The U.S. Constitution is the oldest constitution still in active use in the world today, protecting the individual liberties of all citizens. While the Constitution does not explicitly guarantee the “right to vote,” it prevents denying voting rights based on race or gender. The 26th Amendment ensures voting rights for 18-year-olds, and some states may allow younger individuals to vote if they choose. Study the Amendments and the Constitution! The Martha Dandridge Washington Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, provided this announcement.

7. American colonists fought, sacrificed, and died to establish and preserve the freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States. The right to privacy has gained attention through Supreme Court rulings, although it is not explicitly mentioned in the Constitution. The Supreme Court has established that the right to privacy is a basic human right protected by the 9th Amendment. Study the Constitution, know your rights, and understand what it says and does not say. The Martha Dandridge Washington Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution provided this announcement.

8. “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.” These words, written 238 years ago, are the Preamble to our Constitution. This is Constitution Week, September 17th to 23rd, celebrating the signing of this important document. Read beyond the Preamble to understand the structure of the three branches of our representative government. Study the Bill of Rights (the first 10 Amendments) and the other seventeen amendments to our Constitution. Know your Constitution! The Martha Dandridge Washington Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, provided this announcement.

9. Did you know that Inauguration Day is set in the 20th Amendment? The Presidential and Vice-Presidential terms end and the next term begins on January 20 following an election. For Senators and Representatives, terms end and begin on January 3 following an election. The time between the election and Inauguration Day is known as the Lame Duck period, particularly if the President was not reelected. Study the Bill of Rights and other Amendments. Know your Constitution! The Martha Dandridge Washington Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, provided this announcement.

10. Constitution Week, September 17th to 23rd, commemorates the signing of the Constitution of the United States. The Constitution does not grant the right to have cases heard by a jury of “my” peers, and it does not contain the phrase “separation of church and state.” The only crime defined in the Constitution is treason, which refers to adhering to or giving comfort to the enemies of the United States. The Constitution does not mandate that the President and Vice President be from the same party. Study the Amendments, the Bill of Rights; know your Constitution! The Martha Dandridge Washington Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, provided this announcement.