This August and September we celebrate two milestones in our history.
100th Anniversary of the Ratification of the 19th Amendment
More than 70 years after the Seneca Falls Women’s Rights Convention first called for the right for women to vote, President Woodrow Wilson called a special session of Congress to consider an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would allow women the right to vote. After passage in June of 1919, it was sent to the states or approval. In 1920, Tennessee became the 36th state to ratify the 19th Amendment, making it official. Among the earliest proponents were DAR members Susan B. Anthony and Alice Paul. On August 18, 1920 the 19th Amendment was ratified and went into effect on August 26, 1920.
75th Anniversary of the ending of WWII
Victory in Europe (V-E Day). With the death of Hitler and the Allies and the Soviet Union invading Berlin, the German’s unconditionally surrendered on May 8, 1945.
Victory over Japan (V-J Day) on August 15, 1945, was the original date of the Japanese surrender. Following the Potsdam Declaration buy the Allies on July 26, 1945 and the refusal of Japan to surrender on its terms, the United States dropped atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki on August 6th and 9th, respectively. On August 9th, Japan announced it would surrender on August 15th. We now celebrate the ending of the war on September 2nd which is the date the Japanese signed the terms of surrender aboard the battleship U.S.S Missouri in Tokyo Bay. WWII lasted 6 years and 1 day.
To honor our living veterans of WWII, there is a downloadable certificate that can be personalized for your use. You can access the new certificate via the State website under Forms/State Committees, or via the Commemorative Events page or directly from the following link:
You can also access the certificate on the National website. That certificate is found on the Committees’ Commemorative Events page under forms as well as the link in the 75th Anniversary or directly from the following link:
Please take advantage of these certificates to recognize and honor our World War II heroes.
In addition to the new certificates, you can share this milestone with Daughters at a chapter meeting or via your chapter newsletter. Is there something you can do at your local VA to recognize and honor vets? Is there a local VFW where you can honor vets and celebrate this event?
For more information to celebrate these key events, please check out Commemorative Events Committee on the State or National site. You can celebrate these events through the end of the year.
Please share any ideas or things you have done to commemorate these events. Pictures always welcome.
The Commemorative Events page is available from the following link (after login):
Please recognize and celebrate these achievements and events in your chapters.
Laurie Smotherman
State Commemorative Events Chair
lauriesmotherman@gmail.com