Join Reading of the Declaration of Independence & “Light to Unite” Campaign
Morris County invites everyone to participate in events organized to commemorate a week of milestones that unfolded in July 1776 and gave birth to the United States of America.
The key dates include July 2, the day in 1776 the Second Continental Congress voted to separate the 13 colonies from Great Britain, through July 8, the exact date 250 years ago of the very first public reading of the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia.
“We celebrate Independence Day every year, but America’s founding was much more than a single day. The Second Continental Congress spent more than a year working through deep political divisions, followed by 23 days of debate beginning on June 11, 1776, as the Founding Fathers drafted the Declaration of Independence and laid the foundation for a new nation,” said Commissioner Director Stephen Shaw. “As we approach our nation’s 250th anniversary, we are proud to commemorate the extraordinary week in 1776 when independence from Great Britain was approved on July 2, the Declaration was adopted on July 4 and its words were first shared publicly on July 8.”
It begins in Morris County on July 2, when the historic Morris County Courthouse and other county facilities will be illuminated in red, white and blue as part of the nationwide “Light to Unite” campaign. Morris County invites residents, businesses and organizations to do the same by lighting homes, storefronts, places of worship, schools, public buildings and landmarks in patriotic colors and sharing photos on social media using the hashtag #NJLightToUnite.
Join us in keeping the lights shining through Wednesday, July 8, when Morris County will participate in “Sharing the Spirit of America,” a nationwide synchronized reading of the Declaration of Independence unfolding across all 50 states, Washington, D.C. and in the U.S. territories. Although it will span many time zones, the historic document will be read by participating communities at exactly 6 p.m. EST.
Everyone is welcome to join us on the lawn of the historic Morris County Courthouse at 56 Washington St., Morristown, where Morris County leaders – including the Morris County Board of County Commissioners – will conduct our reading of the Declaration of Independence at the exact same time millions of other Americans will be reading it aloud.
If you cannot join us, host your own public reading. We urge our fellow municipalities, local civic organizations, veteran halls and every other group to organize other synchronized readings throughout Morris County at exactly 6 p.m. on July 8. Share news of your plan at MorrisNews@co.morris.nj.us and we will help promote it. If you share photos of your local event on social media, please mention @morriscounty250.