community · Sep 18, 3:59 PM
Cleburne Groups Ring Bells to Mark Constitution Anniversary
Cleburne residents participated in a nationwide tradition Thursday by ringing bells to commemorate the anniversary of the U.S. Constitution, with members of local patriotic groups spreading throughout the city.
Members of the Nathaniel Winston Chapter of the Texas Daughters of the American Revolution and the Cleburne American Legion Auxiliary rang bells Thursday afternoon at City Hall, the Johnson County Courthouse, the Cleburne Police Department, and several other locations around the city.
The ringing took place at 3 p.m. as part of Bells Across America, a nationwide observance tied to Constitution Week. According to yahoo.com, the 3 p.m. hour reflects the time associated with the reading of the Constitution in Philadelphia in 1787. Participants rang bells for one minute, then read the Preamble to the Constitution aloud.
Thursday's event was Cleburne's first time joining the observance. Constitution Week traces back to the 1950s, when the DAR persuaded President Dwight D. Eisenhower to set aside an annual week of recognition for the document. Organizers said they hope local participation will grow in future years.