Next week marks the 240th anniversary of the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence, which for Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon carries some personal significiance.
His ancestor, Col. John Nixon, the sheriff of Philadelphia in 1776, was the first person to publicly read the document, on July 8 that year.
To celebrate, Gov. Nixon will publicly read the Declaration himself, outside Independence Hall in Philadelphia on Friday, July 8. It will be the 39th year the National Park Service has recreated the first public reading.
“At the time the Declaration of Independence was written, signed and read, the signers and those who believed in the cause for independence didn’t know if it was tantamount to a death sentence for treason against the Crown,” Gov. Nixon said. “It may be difficult for us today to imagine what a daring act this was. It will be both humbling and moving to be in the same place as one of my forefathers and read the same piece of American history that he did back in 1776.”
Nixon will get in the 18th century spirit for the reading. He’ll wear period appropriate clothing and be accompanied to the stage by actors playing militiamen. He’ll also read the Declaration of Independence from a replica scroll.
