4th celebrated with reading of Declaration of Independence

CENTREVILLE — Celebrating the founding of the United States of America as a nation, more than 200 years of history was honored with the eighth annual Fourth of July reading of the Declaration of Independence at the Centreville Historic Courthouse last Thursday.

A star-spangled sea of red, white and blue took to the historic courthouse square in the morning of July 4 as Queen Anne’s County historian Mary Margaret Revell Goodwin welcomed everyone to share in fundamental American history locally.

Kicking off with the singing of the National Anthem and “This Land is Your Land,” elected officials and community members then took turns reading passages of one of the most famous and influential documents in history.

While Fourth of July festivities traditionally include evening fireworks, Goodwin noted it was important to start the celebratory day with a reminder of how it all started.

A document needing no introduction, the Declaration of Independence dictates the original 13 colonies’ official separation from the unjust monarchy of King George of England at the time.

Reading the Declaration at the historic courthouse is symbolic, as for much of history before the internet and cell phones, even with newspapers prominent, many still could not read, and proclamations and news were read aloud at local courthouses, she said.

“The reading at the courthouse represents the legislative structure of our local society in this building right here,” she said.

Reading the Declaration aloud brings to life the impact of the young nation’s early independence from Great Britain and the ferocious battles fought in the name of preserving that freedom, according to Goodwin.

“This is what made it all possible. The new Congress made a decision to sign the Declaration of Independence. It is the founding of who we are and why we did this,” she said.

As an historian, Goodwin continually seeks to tell stories, remember the past, and have everyone to come together as Americans.

As the nation prepares for its 250th anniversary in the upcoming years, bigger celebrations are expected across the country and Goodwin invited everyone to return for the annual reading year after year.

Particularly as the country approaches a pivotal election season, Goodwin urged citizens to take to heart the spirit of the Fourth of July as a day of reflection.

“I hope with all my heart that when people really think about what this day stands for they think about making sure they vote to keep democracy in this coming election,” she said.