WASHINGTON, DC – The Daughters of the American Revolution will welcome more than 4,000 of its members to the nation’s capital this week as they celebrate the 125^th anniversary of their annual Continental Congress. As members celebrate 125 years of service to America, DAR continues to be an active and vibrant women’s service organization focused on promoting historic preservation, education and patriotism. Highlights of the week-long event will include commemorative celebrations as well as honoring respected speakers and award winners during the gala evening ceremonies.

The evening ceremony dedicated to education will include a celebration of the National Parks Service Centennial Anniversary as well as recognition of the Broadway sensation, “Hamilton: An American Musical,” which will be presented with the DAR Media and Entertainment Award. Other honorees include exceptional students and those committed to education such as the national American History Essay Contest winners, the DAR Good Citizens, the American History Scholarship winner and the Outstanding Teacher of American History.

DAR will welcome respected genealogist and co-host of Genealogy Roadshow, Mary Tedesco, as she discusses behind the scenes stories of the PBS television show as well as her own journey to becoming a DAR member. Attendees will also learn more about the new DAR DNA Group hosted on the Family Tree DNA website, with a special appearance by President and CEO of Family Tree DNA Bennett Greenspan.

On National Defense Night, an evening that honors our nation’s military personnel and veterans, the keynote speaker will be Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert McDonald. DAR will also celebrate the 75^th anniversary of the USO and welcome President and CEO Dr. J.D. Crouch along with the USO Show Troupe. Additional awards that evening will be presented to the Army Nurse of the Year, the Margaret Cochran Corbin Award for distinguished women in military service and outstanding volunteers for veterans. The evening celebration will be capped off when DAR will learn if it succeeded in its attempt at a GUINNESS WORLD RECORD^TM for “most letters to military personnel collected in one month.”

"It's inspiring to see more than 4,000 members travel to Washington to celebrate the 125^th anniversary of our annual gathering  and all of the accomplishments of the past year to honor our heritage, focus on the future and celebrate America," said Lynn F. Young, President General. “It has been an incredible year for the DAR as we continue to welcome record numbers of new members, while also donating thousands of dollars to preservation, education and patriotic endeavors and serving our communities through millions of hours of volunteer service. The reports given at our Continental Congress make it clear that the DAR is playing an important role in cities and towns across America."

The DAR Continental Congress is a time-honored tradition that has been held in Washington, D.C. as the annual national meeting of the membership since the organization’s founding. National, state and chapter leaders as well as other members from across the country and around the world meet at the DAR National Headquarters to report on the year’s work, honor outstanding award recipients, plan future initiatives and reconnect with friends. The week-long convention consists of business sessions, committee meetings, and social functions, and is topped off with formal evening ceremonies at which national DAR award winners are honored.

The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution was founded in 1890 to promote historic preservation, education and patriotism. Its members are descended from the patriots who won American independence during the Revolutionary War. With more than 183,000 members in approximately 3,000 chapters worldwide, DAR is one of the world's largest and most active service organizations. Commitment to volunteer service is a cornerstone of the organization and a highlight of the administration of President General Lynn Young. DAR members contributed to a more than 12.5 million community service hours over the past three years. To learn more about the work of today's DAR, visit www.DAR.org or connect with DAR on social media at facebook.com/TodaysDAR, twitter.com/TodaysDAR and youtube.com/TodaysDAR.