Liberty Bell of the West
Liberty Bell of the West
Chester, Illinois
Randolph County
"Where Illinois Began"
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DAR dedicates Bicentennial Monument

8/31/2018

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Picture
​On April 18, 1818 the U.S. Congress issued a proclamation authorizing the people of the Illinois Territory to draft a constitution for admission into the Union and to establish Kaskaskia as their capital. The constitution was adopted Aug. 26, 1818 and statehood was granted on Dec. 3, 1818.
On Aug. 26, 2018, the Liberty Bell of the West Chapter National Society Daughters of the American Revolution hosted a ceremony at the Randolph County Courthouse to commemorate the upcoming 200th birthday of the state of Illinois. Members of the Illinois State Organization NSDAR were also on hand to help celebrate the occasion.
The event featured the unveiling of a French Granite Marble monument, which is located between the Randolph County Courthouse and the Randolph County Museum on a grassy area between the two landmarks. The project to erect this monument has been approved by the Historian General National Society Daughters of the American Revolution.
The Illinois State Organization National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) has a membership of more than 7,600 with 104 chapters. The Randolph County chapter is named "Liberty Bell of the West."
The Randolph County chapter organized the dedication ceremony which took place Sunday August 26, which coincides with the date that the Constitution of the State of Illinois was adopted on August 26, 1818.
Approximately 100 people joined the Liberty Bell of the West Chapter DAR for the occasion. Steve Colonel, Chester School District 139 music director, played recorded music to start the celebration and the Processional of Dignitaries.
Lori Hill, Chapter Regent, provided the welcome, after which an invocation was given by DAR State Chaplin B.A. Church. The National Anthem was sung by the Chester High School Swing Choir "Sound Affect."
State Regent Gloria Flathom then provided greetings to the gathering after which Joan Montroy, chairman of the Bicentennial Monument committee, provided a rich and very informative "History of the Monument,"
Keynote Speaker Marc Kiehna, of the Randolph County Board of Commissioners, further expounded on issues related to the monument dedication after which Joan Montroy, Chapter Chaplin, gave a "Dedicatory Prayer."
The official unveiling of the monument was conducted by David Holder, Randolph County Board of Commissioners and Shannon Wolff, Randolph County Sheriff, with Lori Hill, Chapter Regent, narrating.
Ron White, Randolph County Board of Commissioners, conducted the actual "Acceptance of the Monument" on behalf of the citizens of Randolph County.
To bring the ceremony to an official conclusion, Juanita Broyles, District VII Chaplin, provided a "Benediction" after which Steve Colonel led the group in the singing of the official song of the State of Illinois, "Illinois".
The French Marines, de Fort de Chartres, led by Commander Don Martin, provided a Musket Drill Salute to close the event. After the Retirement of the Colors and Recessional, members of the DAR met for a group photo in front of the monument.
The official birthday of the state of Illinois will take place Dec. 3 with more events taking place at time.

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Bicentennial announces plan for August 26th Constitution Day

8/17/2018

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Office of the Governor
Bruce Rauner
 
For Immediate Release
Friday, Aug. 17, 2018
 
Contact
Elizabeth Tomev
Elizabeth.Tomev@illinois.gov
 
Bicentennial announces plans for Aug. 26 Constitution Day
Signature events scheduled to mark ratification of state Constitution in 1818
 
CHICAGO — The day 200 years ago – August 26th – that Illinois adopted its state Constitution is the focal point for anniversary celebrations across the state highlighted by the dedication of a new Bicentennial Plaza in Springfield adjacent to the Illinois Governor’s Mansion.
 
Gov. Bruce Rauner kicks off the anniversary in Shorewood with his annual Route 66 Motorcycle Ride which culminates at the new Plaza where he will preside over the dedication and then host a BBQ for riders at the Mansion. Those interested may register at govsride.eventbrite.com.
 
“I am very excited to get the Constitution anniversary underway,” said Rauner. “Illinois history is rich with achievement and we owe it to ourselves and our children to pause and reflect on our past as a way to inform our future. As we travel Route 66 through Pontiac and Lexington to Springfield, we’ll keep an eye out for things born, built and grown in Illinois.”
 
Signature celebrations will take place in many other regions of the state – from Kaskaskia to Highland Park – to mark the occasion in 1818 when the state ratified its Constitution.
 
ADM and Ameren Illinois are major sponsors of events in Springfield and East St. Louis. All of the events staged for the Bicentennial are privately or locally funded and are coordinated by the Illinois Bicentennial Commission and its community partner organizations.    
 
“All year long we’ve been highlighting the people, places, events and innovations that over 200 years have made us Illinois Proud,” commented Stuart Layne, Executive Director of the Governor’s Office of the Bicentennial.  “The statewide Constitution Day activities are designed to allow people to travel a short distance to participate in local celebrations.”
 
The full list of events and details can be found at www.illinois200.com. The list includes:
 
  • Governor’s Route 66 Motorcycle Ride – Shorewood to Springfield, IL.
 
  • East St. Louis Heritage Festival in partnership with Ameren Illinois and City of East St. Louis- East St. Louis, IL
 
  • Where Illinois Began Dedication in partnership with Liberty Bell of the West Chapter, National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution - Chester, IL
 
  • Bicentennial Plaza Dedication in partnership with the Illinois REALTORSÒ Association and City of Springfield– Springfield, IL
 
  • Du Quoin State Fair Veteran’s Day Celebration in partnership with Illinois Department of Agriculture – Du Quoin, IL
 
  • Addison Bicentennial Parade & Bash in partnership with the Village of Addison and the Medinah Shriners – Addison, IL
 
  • Galena Constitution Day Celebration in partnership with Visit Galena and the Grant Home– Galena, IL
 
  • Dixon Constitution Day Celebration – Dixon, IL
 
  • Ravinia Concert featuring New Orleans musical tribute to Chicago Blues– Highland Park, IL
 
ABOUT ILLINOIS BICENTENNIAL
 
On Dec. 3, 1818, Illinois became the 21st state in the union. The Illinois Bicentennial is a yearlong celebration of what has been BORN, BUILT & GROWN in the state and a reminder of why we are #IllinoisProud.  Citizens are encouraged to participate in the celebration by visiting www.illinois200.com and using the hashtag #IllinoisProud.
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