Sons of the American Revolution
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The National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) is a Louisville, Kentucky-based fraternal organization in the United States. It is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation that describes its purpose as "maintaining and extending the institutions of American freedom, an appreciation for true patriotism, a respect for our national symbols, the value of American citizenship, and the unifying force of e pluribus unum that has created, from the people of many nations, one nation and one people."
The organization should not be confused with the General Society of the Sons of the Revolution (GSSR), a separate organization.
Membership
Membership in the society is open to any male of "good repute" who is at least 18 years of age who can prove lineal bloodline descent from an ancestor who actively supported the American Revolution. Acceptable ancestors include military veterans of the American Revolutionary War, including those who served in the Continental Army, Continental Navy, and state militias and navies; signers of the Declaration of Independence; members of the Continental Congress; and civilians that provided arms or supplies to the American cause, served on political bodies supporting the Revolution, signed oaths of allegiance, or those who gave similar support to the Patriot cause. Descendants of soldiers and sailors from allied nations such as France and Spain who fought in support of American independence may also be eligible. No chapter may discriminate against an applicant on the basis of race or creed.The society claims a membership of 26,000 members in over 470 chapters in 50 state societies in the United States, as well as branches in Canada, France, Germany, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
History
The organization was established in San Francisco, California in 1876 when a group of men who were descendants of Revolutionary War veterans gathered to celebrate the centennial of the Declaration of Independence and the founding of the United States. The group formed an organization called the Sons of Revolutionary Sires. The organization grew and was reorganized under its current name April 30, 1889. The SAR was formally granted a charter by an act of Congress on June 6, 1906. The act was signed by President Theodore Roosevelt, who was a member.Activities
The society is involved in historical research, raising funds for local scholarships and educational awards, and preservation of sites and documents related to the American Revolution. It is also active in cataloging and marking Revolutionary War patriot graves and conducts an annual Eagle Scout scholarship program.Partial list of famous SAR members
- Hale Boggs — Majority Leader, U.S. House of Representatives
- Henry Cabot Lodge — United States Senator
- George W. Bush — President of the United States
- George H.W. Bush — President of the United States
- Jimmy Carter — President of the United States
- Dwight D. Eisenhower — President of the United States
- Harry S. Truman — President of the United States
- Franklin D. Roosevelt — President of the United States
- Herbert Hoover — President of the United States
- Theodore Roosevelt — President of the United States
- Sir Winston Churchill — Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
- King Juan Carlos I — King of Spain
External links
- [National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution]
- [Founder of Black Revolutionary War Patriots Foundation praises NSSAR]
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