Songs of patriotism filled the air as students from across the city gathered to celebrate the signing of the Constitution. Sept. 19 in the City Council chambers at City Hall.

Mayor Justin Wilson signed the official Proclamation commemorating Constitution Week, Sept. 17 – 23, marking the 236th anniversary of the signing of the historic document.

“The U.S. Constitution is our nation’s charter,” said Linda Ferrara, who welcomed the students and provided a background of the drafting and signing of the Constitution.

Ferrara is the Constitution Week chair of the District V Daughters of the Revolution. In 1955, DAR petitioned Congress to set aside Sept. 17-23 annually to be dedicated for the observance of Constitution Week. The resolution was later adopted by the Congress and signed into law on Aug. 2, 1956, by President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

The aims of Constitution Week are to emphasize citizens’ responsibilities to protect the Constitution, to educate people about the role of the U.S. Constitution and encourage the study of historical events leading to the drafting of the U.S. Constitution in September 1787.

Participating in the ceremony were students from Alexandria City High School, Samuel W. Tucker Elementary School, Mount Vernon Community School and Lyles-Crouch Traditional Academy.

Dressed in period attire, David Embry played patriotic music while Vicki Embry, also in period attire, spoke about the role of working women in 1787.

Nancy Hill, Virginia DAR District V Director, presented Wilson with a flag that had been flown over DAR National Headquarters in Washington to commemorate Constitution Week.

The U.S. Constitution was signed on Sept. 17, 1787. In addition to establishing Constitution Week, the DAR erected a structure built in tribute to the Constitution of the United States. DAR Constitution Hall, which is a performing arts center, opened in 1929, in Washington, D.C.

“Our Constitution is one that has stood the test of time -- longer than any other in world history,” Ferrara said. “It reflects the thinking of many learned Founding Fathers more than 200 years ago and yet it still applies today.”