May 18, 2011
236th Anniversary of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence
The May 20th Society is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that endeavors to capture and celebrate Charlotte’s rebellious and visionary spirit and history—a history that began on May 20, 1775, when two dozen prominent civic leaders signed and approved The Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence (MecDec) – the first declaration of independence in America!
MecDec Speaker Series: Andrew Roberts
Each year the May 20th Society sponsors an Annual MecDec Speaker’s Series to bring a nationally known historian to Charlotte to speak on Charlotte Mecklenburg’s Revolutionary history. In addition to speaking to adults at a sold-out evening event, these historians who are authors, directors and Pulitzer Prize winners also speak to young students. There, students are able to discuss with each historian questions they might have not only on Mecklenburg’s history, but history in general.
Historian and author Andrew Roberts will speak to invited guests at the Mint Museum Uptown Thursday evening, May 19 from 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Friday, May 20 - 10am-11:30am - Roberts also speaks to CMS students at Halton Theatre at CPCC. This event is sponsored by Wells Fargo and is a free offering from the May 20th Society and Wells Fargo to hundreds of students. Students will be educated and entertained and will learn who won the essay contest.
You are welcome to cover any of these events. The Noon Observance is open to the public. The Speaker Series is by invitation only, although it is also a free event. Coverage of that is welcome, but we are not opening that up to the public because of space considerations. Both events are “sold out” from a space perspective.
MecDec Noon Observance at The Square
Plan to come out and celebrate this annual commemoration in Charlotte. The MecDec celebration has hosted four former Presidents (Taft, Wilson, Eisenhower and Ford), military Generals, a First Lady and countless dignitaries. We will celebrate the signing of the declaration, the spirit of our community and the distinct and rebellious history that binds our community together.
At 10:00am on Friday, May 20, reenactors will set up in Polk Park at the Square to illustrate Colonial life. Following the Noon celebration, walk with the group to Settler's Cemetery at 5th and Church Streets to lay a wreath in honor of the founders of Mecklenburg County.
Don’t miss out on this free event celebrating Charlotte and its people!
A new addition to the MecDec celebration this year is the "Captain James Jack Pilsner" from the Old Mecklenburg Brewery.
About the May 20th Society
Since 2003, The May 20th Society has cultivated a progressive educational program to not only celebrate the history of Mecklenburg County, but honor the significance of history through numerous community projects and events with world-renowned leaders and historians.
Categories: Arts & Entertainment, Community
