The Declaration of Independence was read simultaneously across the United States in hundreds of towns and cities, including in Swampscott, on Wednesday afternoon.
Just before the Summer Concert Series on the Town Hall Lawn kicked off, guests were treated to a surprise opening act, a recitation of the famous founding document by nine children, aided by George Washington, who was played by Swampscott Historical Commission Chair Nancy Schultz. The reading was led by America250 Hawaii, with people in all 50 states participating.
Schultz said State Rep. Jennifer Armini pitched the idea to host the reading. July 8, 1776 marked the first ever public reading of the Declaration of Independence when Col. John Nixon read it aloud at the Pennsylvania State House.
“This follows up the Frederick Douglass reading in town, which was much bigger but really similar in importance and significance around the 250th birthday in America,” said Schultz.
The nine children each read one section of the 1,300 word document, before Schultz led the way for everyone, including some people in the crowd, read the final piece together.
