By AlaskaWatchman.com

Declaration of Independence
Declaration independence 1024x678 1
Declaration of Independence, painting by John Trumbull

All Alaskans are invited to join patriots and historians of America’s founding for the 27th annual public reading of the Declaration of Independence in Anchorage. The traditional event will take place 1-2 p.m. on July 4 at Liberty Stage on the Delaney Park Strip (between E & I Street and 9th and 10th Avenues, just across from the Veterans’ Memorial Flagpole, in downtown Anchorage.

“The Declaration of Independence, written by Thomas Jefferson, is the first organic law of the United States of America in our federal code, and America’s most revered public document,” a statement for event notes. “Come early, bring a picnic, relax on the grass, and listen to what the Fourth of July is really all about!”

Dr. James W. Muller, Professor Emeritus of the Department of Political Science at the University of Alaska Anchorage, will read the Declaration.

Piper Major Ian White of the Crow Creek Pipes and Drums will open the event. Kaethe B. Henning of Seattle will present a program of songs, including Fair Harvard, the Star-Spangled Banner, American the Beautiful, and Alaska’s Flag, accompanied by pianist Debbie Pankow of Central Lutheran Church.

Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Political Science Forrest Nabors of the University of Alaska Anchorage will offer remarks.

The ceremony will end with the traditional ringing of a bell two hundred forty-seven times, once for each year of American independence, by 13 volunteers from the audience, one for each state delegation of signatories.

Attendees are encouraged to print out the songs ahead of time and sing along. The words to the songs on the program include the original line in Irving Berlin’s God Bless America, “to the gold fields out in Nome!”

This 27th annual commemoration of Independence Day is sponsored by the Harvard Club of Alaska, with help from the Municipality of Anchorage and Huycke Entertainment.

For more information, email the Master of Ceremonies, Forrest Nabors, at fanabors@alaska.edu.

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Alaskans invited to robust celebration of the true meaning of Independence Day

Joel Davidson
Joel is Editor-in-Chief of the Alaska Watchman. Joel is an award winning journalist and has been reporting for over 24 years, He is a proud father of 8 children, and lives in Palmer, Alaska.


7 Comments

  • StopTheMadnesz says:

    This sounds great! I read that there’s a parade at 11am in Anchorage this year as well. Does anyone know how we might be able to preview the list of groups who will be marching in the parade?

  • Toscano says:

    The true meaning of Independence Day is that secession is legal — through the Natural Law. without permission from anyone, thank you.”When in the course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them to another, and to assume among the power of the earth the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and Nature’s God entitle them …” But you are never going to hear that from the Lincoln Cultists. Don’t tell us the South fought to keep slavery. It fought for the right of self-determination. And the North seriously considered secession in the first 2 decades of the 19th century.

  • Friend of Humanity says:

    “If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be.” – Thomas Jefferson

  • Friend of Humanity says:

    The irony of this time. Watching a Jon Levi video talking about the new deal (after the reset). Pretty interesting history we have – or do not have. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7cDX0HUF0o

  • StopTheMadnesz says:

    This event was exceptional!! Thank you, Dr. Nabors and the Harvard Club of Alaska! It was exactly the type of Independence Day event I was hoping for, and my entire family appreciated every moment!

  • Friend of Humanity says:

    Toby Keith ‘Happy Birthday America’
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6b5mrpSb9Mg