The QSSI was welcomed into the historic Constitution Hall of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution for the Opening ceremonies of the 134th Continental Congress. DAR President General Pamela Rouse Wright presented the President General’s Medallion, a significant award bestowed annually to a selected DAR historical partner of the highest integrity and impact, to the Queen Sofía Spanish Institute. Begonia Santos, President & CEO of the Queen Sofía Spanish Institute, accepted the award and provided remarks from the podium to the thousands of guests in attendance at the ceremony.
“The DAR’s commitment to promoting historic preservation, education, and patriotism, the excellence with which DAR members carry themselves and carry out their duties in fulfillment of this commitment, is an inspiration to all of us,” said Santos, President & CEO of the Queen Sofía Spanish Institute. “It is thus truly an honor that you consider the work of the QSSI worthy of your recognition.”
The President General’s Medallion serves to honor those organizations and individuals that embody the spirit of the Daughters of the American Revolution. The medallion is rarely presented, and may be extended only at the discretion of the President General for extraordinary service, outstanding accomplishment, and long-lasting impact.
The QSSI is honored to have the DAR as one of its most important partners today. Together with the Fundación Ramón Areces, the DAR and the QSSI will present the II America&Spain250 Symposium, “Spain and the Birth of American Democracy” to take place in DAR Constitution Hall on September 19th and 20th, 2025.
This symposium will thus continue to give visibility to the America&Spain250 Initiative by bringing a group of distinguished US and Spanish historians to the nation’s capital a few months ahead of the 250th anniversary of the Independence of the United States. The speakers will present their latest research on the role of private merchants, the role of diplomacy, the different policies and interests of the Count of Aranda and John Jay, the relationship of Spain with indigenous nations in the borderlands and the erasure of Spain from the United States history books, among others.
Register for the symposium here.
