Sons of the American Revolution facts for kids
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| Named after | American Revolution |
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| Established | April 30, 1889 |
| Founded at | New York City |
| Type | Patriotic organization |
| Legal status | Federally chartered nonprofit corporation |
| Purpose | Fraternal, patriotic, historical, charitable, educational |
| Headquarters | 809 West Main Street, Louisville, Kentucky, U.S. |
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Region served
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Worldwide |
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Membership
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38,323 (2022) |
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Official language
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English |
| Publication | Spirit of '76 |
| Affiliations | Daughters of the American Revolution Children of the American Revolution |
The Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) is a special group that helps keep the spirit of American freedom alive. It's also known as the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (NSSAR). This organization is based in Louisville, Kentucky, and it started on April 30, 1889, in New York City.
The main goals of the SAR are to:
- Keep American freedom strong.
- Help people appreciate true patriotism.
- Show respect for national symbols like the flag.
- Value what it means to be an American citizen.
- Remember that "e pluribus unum" (out of many, one) brings people together.
To join the SAR, you must be a male descendant of someone who helped America become independent during the American Revolutionary War. The group works to keep American ideas and traditions going. They also protect the U.S. Constitution. Thanks to their efforts, special days like Constitution Day, Flag Day, and Bill of Rights Day are officially recognized. The SAR has members in the United States and other countries like Canada, France, Germany, Spain, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
The Sons of the American Revolution is different from another group called the Sons of the Revolution. The Sons of the Revolution was started earlier, in 1876. The founder of the Sons of the American Revolution, William Osborn McDowell, wanted a group that was more open to many descendants, not just an exclusive club.
Contents
History of the SAR
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The very first group for descendants of Revolutionary War heroes began in San Francisco in 1876. These men wanted to celebrate 100 years since the Declaration of Independence. They also wanted to honor the brave men and women who fought for America's freedom from Great Britain. This group was called the Sons of Revolutionary War Sires. While some members of this early group later joined the Sons of the American Revolution, there isn't a direct link between them.
The Sons of the American Revolution was officially founded by William O. McDowell on April 30, 1889. This was the same year America celebrated 100 years since George Washington became the first president. McDowell started the group at Fraunces Tavern in New York City. He also helped organize the Daughters of the American Revolution, a similar group for women.
On June 9, 1906, the Sons of the American Revolution received a special congressional charter. This means the U.S. Congress officially recognized them. U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt, who was a member of the SAR, signed the law.
SAR Insignia and What It Means
The official badge of the Sons of the American Revolution looks like a Maltese cross with a wreath around it. In the middle, there's a picture of George Washington.
The Maltese cross design was inspired by the cross used by the Order of St. Louis in France. This was chosen to honor King Louis XVI of France, who gave important help to the American colonists during the war. The wreath around the cross is like the laurel wreaths given to heroes in ancient Rome.
The Maltese Cross was also used by the Knights of St. John, who were like warrior Crusaders. They fought for freedom. The eight points of the Maltese cross represent eight important virtues from the Bible, like being kind, peaceful, and seeking what is right.
Around the picture of Washington, you'll see the words "LIBERTAS ET PATRIA." This Latin phrase means "Liberty and Country." It reminds members of the United States Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.
Members usually wear the badge on their left chest, hanging from a ribbon that is blue, white, and gold. Leaders of the group wear it on a neck ribbon. For other times, members might wear a small rosette (a flower-shaped pin) with the same colors on their lapel.
What the SAR Does
The Sons of the American Revolution does many things to honor American history and promote good citizenship:
- They do historical research and help preserve important places and documents from the American Revolution.
- They raise money for scholarships and awards for students.
- They helped create the National Archives, where important Revolutionary War documents are kept safe.
- They find and mark the graves of Revolutionary War heroes.
- They have a scholarship program for Eagle Scouts.
- They actively promote "patriotism" and helped make Constitution Day an official holiday.
- Many SAR groups have "color guard" teams. These teams dress in historical uniforms and appear at public events to share history with the community.
The SAR holds meetings throughout the year. They have two Leadership Meetings in Louisville, Kentucky, and a big National Congress in a different city each summer. These meetings help them plan their activities and discuss the group's future.
SAR Headquarters and Library
The main office of the Sons of the American Revolution is in downtown Louisville, Kentucky. This building has offices for the staff, a special library for finding family history (genealogy), and a future education center about the American Revolutionary War. The SAR is currently raising money to finish this education center. The building also displays original art, historical uniforms, flags, and other items from the colonial era and the Revolutionary War.
The SAR is led by national officers, vice presidents for different regions, and a trustee from each state. These leaders meet several times a year to make decisions for the group. All members are welcome to attend these meetings and can even join committees that help run the society.
Genealogical Library
The Sons of the American Revolution has a huge collection of books and records to help people research their family history. This collection started in 1889. Over the years, it grew from a few hundred books to more than 58,000 items!
In 2010, the library moved to a new, bigger building in downtown Louisville. The collection focuses on the Revolutionary War period but also has other family history materials. You can find family histories, state records, census records, and applications for Revolutionary War pensions. The library also lets members use online research websites like Ancestry.com.
Who Can Join the SAR?
Any male who is considered "of good repute" can join the Sons of the American Revolution. The most important rule is that you must be able to prove you are a direct descendant of someone who actively supported the American Revolution.
Here are some examples of ancestors who would qualify:
- Soldiers or sailors who fought in the Continental Army, Continental Navy, or state militias.
- People who signed the Declaration of Independence.
- Members of the Continental Congress.
- Civilians who provided supplies or weapons to the American cause.
- People who served in political groups supporting the Revolution or signed loyalty oaths.
- Soldiers and sailors from allied countries like France and Spain who helped America gain independence.
No state group or chapter can refuse someone based on their race or beliefs. The Sons of the American Revolution has over 37,000 members in more than 550 local groups across all 50 U.S. states. They also have groups in Canada, France, Spain, Germany, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Since the SAR started in 1890, about 200,000 descendants have joined.
Images for kids
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The official logo of the Sons of the American Revolution.
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The wordmark logo for the Sons of the American Revolution.
