What an incredible evening celebrating our nation's founding! Thank you to the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), Amelia Island Chapter, for hosting an outstanding Community Reading of the Declaration of Independence at the Historic Courthouse.
While Americans celebrate Independence Day on July 4, the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence took place on July 8, 1776, when the newly adopted document was proclaimed aloud to citizens in Philadelphia, bringing the words of the Declaration to life for the founding colonies.
The program began with a stirring drum promenade from the waterfront to the Historic Courthouse, led by the City of Fernandina Beach Fire Department and Nassau County Fire Rescue Honor Guards and accompanied by members of the DAR and the Nassau Community Band. The ceremony featured welcoming remarks by Chief Judge Lance M. Day of Florida's Fourth Judicial Circuit, the Pledge of Allegiance led by Clerk of Courts Mitch Keiter, and a beautiful piccolo performance of Yankee Doodle Dandy by Holly Stewart of the Nassau Community Band.
The highlight of the evening was the public reading of the Declaration of Independence by community leaders and elected officials, including U.S. Congressman Aaron Bean, State Representative Dean Black, Fernandina Beach Mayor James Antun, Nassau County Commissioners A.M. "Hupp" Huppmann, Jeff Gray, Alyson McCullough, Klynt Farmer, and other notable members of our community.
As the ceremony concluded, church bells across Amelia Island rang in unison at approximately 6:10 p.m., echoing the historic "Let Freedom Ring" tradition and serving as a powerful reminder of the enduring principles of liberty and independence that continue to unite us nearly 250 years later.
Thank you to the DAR Amelia Island Chapter, everyone who participated in the program, and all who attended. Events like this preserve our history, strengthen our community, and ensure the story of our nation's founding continues to be shared with future generations.
-Sabrina Robertson
Communications Officer








RSS Feed