News, even big news, moved a little slower in those days.
America's independence was declared on July 4th 1776. It would take five days for that standout headline to make it to New York City, a hundred miles or so from Philadelphia.
So, this Thursday, July 9, New Yorkers will gather in Lower Manhattan to commemorate the most important days in the city’s history: July 9, 1776, the day word of independence reached New York City, and the Declaration of Independence was read aloud.
The event, “City Hall to Bowling Green — Independence Day in New York City,” will mark the 250th anniversary of the day independence came alive in the streets of New York.
That day, according to the Bowling Green event organizers, the Declaration was read at City Hall to American troops and citizens. Later that day, New Yorkers marched down Broadway to Bowling Green and pulled down the statue of King George III — a powerful public rejection of monarchy and British rule.
"Now, 250 years later, New Yorkers will honor that same historic path. The commemoration includes a public gathering at City Hall, a march down Lower Broadway to Bowling Green, and a reading of the Declaration of Independence by a diverse group of New Yorkers at Bowling Green," said a release.
“July 4 is America’s national birthday,” said Hilary Beirne, co-chair of the event.
“But July 9 is the day independence came to life in New York City. The Declaration was read here. The people acted here. The King’s statue came down here. That story deserves to be remembered by every New Yorker.”
Organizers are inviting civic groups, veterans, students, cultural organizations, historical societies, immigrant communities, religious institutions, neighborhood leaders, elected officials, and individual New Yorkers to take part.
“This is not a partisan event,” said Arthur Piccolo, co-chair of the event.
“It is a civic and patriotic commemoration of New York’s central role in the birth of the United States and a reminder that democracy must be remembered, renewed, and defended.”
Following events at Bowling Green, at 8 p.m. in Battery Park a feature film about New York City and July 9, 1776, by Paul Moon, “By George” will have its premier.
