Olga T. Weber (April 27, 1903 – August 1, 1978) was an American activist known for her work campaigning for the recognition of
Constitution Day and
Constitution Week in
Ohio and later, for the
United States as a whole. Her efforts led to the annual celebration of Constitution Week in
Louisville, Ohio and the town being named "Constitution Town."
Biography
Weber was born April 27, 1903 in
Pittsburgh.
Weber didn't want others to forget or take for granted their rights and freedoms. So in 1951, Olga started to hand out copies of the ''
US Constitution
The Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the United States of America. It superseded the Articles of Confederation, the nation's first constitution, in 1789. Originally comprising seven articles, it delineates the nation ...
'', ''
Bill of Rights'', flag booklets and patriotic leaflets to local schools, churches, libraries and the public.
She encouraged the first celebration of Constitution Day, September 17, 1952 in Louisville after meeting with Mayor Gerald Romary and the city council.
She also created a committee for "the preservation of the Constitution."
Weber also petitioned municipal officials to establish an official, annual Constitution Day, to honor the ratification of the Constitution in 1789.
In April 1953, Weber was successful in having the
Ohio General Assembly
The Ohio General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Ohio. It consists of the 99-member Ohio House of Representatives and the 33-member Ohio Senate. Both houses of the General Assembly meet at the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus ...
proclaim September 17 as statewide Constitution Day.
In 1953, Representative
Frank T. Bow
Frank Townsend Bow (February 20, 1901 – November 13, 1972) was a noted Ohio jurist and politician who served as a Republican Congressman in the United States House of Representatives from January 3, 1951, until his death from heart fai ...
took the idea to make Constitution Day a national holiday to the
House of Representatives.
Bow recognized Weber and Romary for their part in encouraging the creation of the holiday.
Congress passed a resolution creating
Constitution Week. The Senate and the House approved her request and President
Dwight D. Eisenhower signs it into law.
On April 15, 1957, the city council of
Louisville, Ohio declared the city, Constitution Town. In 1958 the
Ohio State Archaeological and Historical Society donated four
historical markers for the main entrances to the city which explained Louisville's role as the originator of Constitution Day.
In 1962 and 1963 Weber was awarded the George Washington honor medal in the community program category. Then in 1975, Weber received a Congress of Freedom award for her community activities and work. Weber is also acknowledged for her idea to make March 1 Ohio Statehood day being that March 1 in 1803 Ohio was admitted into the Union. This idea was given to
Rep. William J. Healy of Canton then passed both the House and the Senate when it was signed in February 1976 by Rep.
Vernal G. Riffe JR. speaker of the
Ohio House of Representatives and Lt. Gov. Richard Celeste, presiding office of the
Ohio Senate
The Ohio Senate is the upper house of the Ohio General Assembly. The State Senate, which meets in the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus, first convened in 1803. Senators are elected for four year terms, staggered every two years such that half of the se ...
. Weber remained active with the Constitution Day Committee up until her death.
Weber died on August 1, 1978.
Due to Weber's work, Louisville continues to hold an annual Constitution Week festival consisting of car shows, balloon liftoffs, choir concerts, banquets queen pageants, fireworks and a parade.
References
External links
* Louisville Constitution Tow
{{DEFAULTSORT:Weber, Olga T.
1903 births
1978 deaths
American activists
People from Louisville, Ohio
Constitution of the United States