The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1912-07-03
How the Fourth Was First Celebrated

1t is one hundred and thirty-six
years since the Continental Congress
adopted tina: Declaration Of Independ-
ence which proclaimed these United
states free and independent, and for
the n hundred and thirty fifth
time the people r Celebrating"
The celebration has no. changed
much since the 'doin's'' that took
place when the people of the old
ton. and proceeded to make a noise
like unto liberty. Philadelphia was
the first to receive the news. though
not the first to start the fire works
that continued throughout July until
every colony had beer notified.
1t was on July 8. 1875. that the Dec
laration was read to a large number
Of the Inhabitants of Philadelphia,
and was received with general ap-
plause and heartfelt satisfaction" In
the evening the Goa Of arms of the
late king was brought from the hall
In the state house. where the kings
courts were formerly held. and burnt,
amdis h acclamations of a crowd
OF spectators. Bonfres were lighted,
the houses were illuminated and it
was not until a thunder shower at
midnight compelled the people to re-
tire hat the sounds Of revelry and re-
J'lNiile iIu6LICus
The Declaration reached Princeton.
y. j.. on July 9. and that night Nassau
Hall was brilliantly Illuminated and
Independence proclaimed under a
triple volley Of musketry and univer-
sal acclamations for the prosperity OF
the colonies.
The Declaration reached Dover.
Del. on July 6. while the election for
a new battalion was going on. The
alaNffNn yx,ac c<nv~4l 49, &h- re->---
ton read. The committee of safety
sent for a picture of King George and
made the drummer Of the infantry
bear 1t before the president. They
then marched two and two. followed
by the light infantry, around the
square. They then formed Il circle
around a fire, built in the middle OF
the square for that purpose. and the
president Of the committee committed
Compelled by strong necessity, thus
We destroy ever the shadow of that
king who refused to reign over a free
people,"
The declaration was received by
Washington at his headquarters in
New York on July 9. Immediately
the brigades were formed in hollow
squares on their respective parades
and the declaration read to them.
- SASSS "hAeoNCS wac SlCdIIlpCu
on the Commons where the New
York city hall now stands. The hol-
low square was formed about the spot
where the park fountain stands.
Washington was within the square on
horseback and the declaration was
read in a clear voice by ms Of his aides
When 1t was concluded three hearty
cheers were given. The same evening
the equestrian statue of George the
Third. which had been set up in 1910.
was pulled down. and. being mostly
composed of lead. was subsequently
made into bullets for the colonial
army.
On the following day all persons
imprisoned for debt were released and
New York continued the celebration to
the 18th. when the declaration was
read at the city hall. after which the
British arms from over the seat of 1us-
tice at the courthouse was torn down
and burned and the picture Of King
George, taken from the council cham
Der. was broken up and burned.
At Worcester, Mass. there wa q