MORRIS COUNTY, N.J. — Morris County is inviting residents to take part in a weeklong series of events from July 2 through July 8 commemorating key milestones that led to the birth of the United States 250 years ago.
The observance will mark several pivotal moments in July 1776, including July 2, when the Second Continental Congress voted to separate from Great Britain, July 4, when the Declaration of Independence was adopted, and July 8, when the document was first publicly read 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.”
The celebration begins July 2 with Morris County’s participation in the nationwide “Light to Unite” campaign. The historic Morris County Courthouse and other county facilities will be illuminated in red, white and blue, and residents, businesses and organizations are encouraged to do the same and share photos on social media using the hashtag #NJLightToUnite.
The county will continue the observance through July 8, when it joins communities across the nation in “Sharing the Spirit of America,” a synchronized public reading of the Declaration of Independence. The reading will take place at 6 p.m. on the lawn of the historic Morris County Courthouse at 56 Washington St. in Morristown.
County officials, including members of the Morris County Board of County Commissioners, will participate in the reading at the same time communities across all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and U.S. territories are reading the document aloud.
The county is also encouraging municipalities, civic groups, veterans organizations and other community groups to host their own public readings at 6 p.m. July 8.
In addition to county-sponsored activities, residents can attend other semiquincentennial events throughout Morris County, including the annual July 4 reading of the Declaration of Independence at Washington’s Headquarters in Morristown National Historical Park.
Officials noted that Independence Day celebrations, parades and fireworks displays are planned throughout Morris County’s 39 municipalities.
More information and a complete calendar of events are available at MorrisCounty250.com.
