DAR Chesapeake Chapter

06/23/2026

Celebrate Independence Day in Chesapeake! Check out the lineup of upcoming events:

Friday, July 3, 4:00 to 10:00 p.m. – Celebrate Freedom Concert and Fireworks at City Park (900 City Park Dr): www.cityofchesapeake.net/763/Celebrate-Freedom

Saturday, July 4, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. – South Norfolk Fourth of July Parade and Picnic (1441 Bainbridge Blvd): www.cityofchesapeake.net/767/Annual-South-Norfolk-July-4th-Parade-Pic

Saturday, July 4, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. – America's 250th Anniversary and Independence Family Fun Day at the Great Bridge Battlefield & Waterways Museum (1775 Historic Way): https://www.va250.org/event-detail/?id=25431

06/19/2026

Juneteenth has grown into a nationwide celebration of freedom, as well as Black history and culture, and was officially recognized as a federal holiday in 2021.

The holiday commemorates June 19, 1865, when Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, and informed the enslaved people there that they were free — more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation.

Across Hampton Roads, a variety of events will continue to honor and celebrate this important occasion.

06/14/2026

On June 14, 1777, the Second Continental Congress made it official: thirteen stars and thirteen stripes would represent our new nation.

Nearly 250 years later, the Stars and Stripes still fly as one of the most recognized symbols of freedom in the world. For DAR, the flag is more than a symbol. It is a living connection to the patriots who fought for the ideals it represents and a reminder of the values we carry forward every day.

Through flag ceremonies, educational programs, and community events, DAR chapters nationwide work to ensure that the history and meaning behind our flag is never forgotten. On Flag Day and every day, we are proud to honor it.

06/09/2026

06/04/2026

On June 1, 1813 (213 years ago this week), the frigate USS Chesapeake was captured by the British at Boston Harbor. The USS Chesapeake was built at Gosport Navy Yard – now the Norfolk Naval Shipyard – in Portsmouth, VA and was commissioned in 1800 as the last of 6 frigates authorized by the U.S. Naval Act of 1794.

At Boston Harbor, HMS Shannon commanded by British Capt. Philip Vere Broke called out Capt James Lawrence and the USS Chesapeake to a one-on-one battle. The Americans were eager to oblige, but the battle was short and bloody, with the Chesapeake being battered incessantly by heavy gunfire. Capt. James Lawrence, who had assumed command of the Chesapeake less than 2 weeks before, was mortally wounded along with 146 crewmen. His final command to his crew was “Don’t Give Up the Ship!” The crew, however, could not hold off the British, who boarded the USS Chesapeake and took possession.

Capt. Lawrence’s final words became a US Navy rallying cry and to this day his words continue to stand as a reminder of the US Navy’s commitment to service with honor.

Image: Death of Capt James Lawrence, courtesy of the National Gallery

06/04/2026

06/03/2026

America is turning 250, and Chesapeake is celebrating all year long! From Charter to Chesapeake—featuring interactive living history and tours of the tall ship Sultana—to special programs hosted by the Chesapeake Public Library and Chesapeake Parks, Recreation and Tourism, there’s something for all ages to enjoy! Explore the full calendar of Chesapeake VA250 events at www.cityofchesapeake.net/3751/America-250-Events

05/19/2026

🚨TICKETS ON SALE NOW 🚨

Join us for an exciting seminar about the “Making of America”, September 19, 2026 from 8:30AM - 4:30PM . Tickets for this event are $20 (per person) this price includes access to the museum for the day and a provided lunch.

During this Seminar our special guest speaker Earl Taylor Jr. will discuss the ingenious system of self-government that America’s Founding Fathers discovered and then beautifully wove into a written Constitution. He will begin by looking at the colonization of and the first permanent settlements in America, including Jamestown and Plymouth.

The ticket sales for this seminar will end on September 1, 2026 or when seats are completely sold out.

Limited seating available, purchase your ticket today!

For more information call (757) 482-4480 or to purchase tickets click link in bio.

04/14/2026

You might think "Yankee Doodle" is just a simple nursery rhyme, but it was actually the biggest diss track of the American Revolution. The British first sang the tune to mock American soldiers. In a show of patriotic defiance, the Continental Army took it back and reportedly played it during the British surrender at Yorktown.

Still, no one really knows where ‘Yankee Doodle’ originally came from.

Read the full history of the song: https://bit.ly/4t9Djeh

📸: Public domain / Wikimedia Commons