Morris County marks nation’s 250th anniversary with public reading of Declaration of Independence
MORRISTOWN, N.J. (Morris County) — Thirteen bell rings echoed from the Historic Morris County Courthouse on Wednesday evening as Morris County officials commemorated the nation’s 250th anniversary with a public reading of the Declaration of Independence.
The ceremony began at 6 p.m., marking exactly 250 years since the Declaration of Independence was first read publicly in Philadelphia and Trenton on July 8, 1776.
Morris County joined communities across the country in the “Sharing the Spirit of America” initiative, which featured synchronized public readings of the nation’s founding document in recognition of America’s semiquincentennial.
Thirteen county leaders each participated in the reading, including Commissioner Director Stephen Shaw, Deputy Director John Krickus, Commissioners Christine Myers, Tom Mastrangelo, Deborah Smith, Doug Cabana and Tayfun Selen, Surrogate Heather Darling, County Clerk Ann Grossi, County Administrator Deena Leary, Prosecutor Robert Carroll, Sheriff James Gannon and Morris/Sussex Vicinage Assignment Judge Stuart A. Minkowitz.
The event also featured appearances by the Colonial Musketeers Senior Ancient Fife & Drum Corps and the Morris County 250th Traveling Mural. The Morris County Heritage Commission, county staff and volunteers also participated in the celebration.
The reading was one of many events taking place across the nation as communities commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the birth of the United States.
