We all know what national holiday is coming up – don’t we? Yes, indeed, it was on July 4th, in 1776, when our Second Continental Congress, after weeks of debate and modifications, adopted our Declaration of Independence. Nine of the 13 colonies approved the document, two voted “no,” one was “undecided,” and one “abstained.” The significance of that late afternoon vote was that we had an “official” document that Proclaimed Liberty Throughout All the Land Unto All the Inhabitants Thereof.
We the people, in Petaluma, continue not only to celebrate the 4th of July, but do it in a manner that also includes a local tradition – the ringing of the historic Korbel Bell. To learn the story behind this tradion, please attend the Proclamation and Bell Ringing Ceremony on the steps of the Petaluma Historical Museum & Library from 10:30-11:00 a.m., on Wednesday. The ceremony will include:
Songs by The Wings of Glory
Reading of the Mayor’s Proclamation and Pledge of Allegiance
Petaluma’s Bell Ringing Tradition – “Mr. William Howard Pepper”
The Story of the 4th of July – “Mr. Isaac G. Wickersham”
The Signers of the Declaration of Independence – Mr. Pepper
Ringing the Bell and adjournment to the Garden Court for lemonade & cookies
Petalumans will not be alone in celebrating the birth of our nation. Communities all across the nation will conduct their own public observance with the ringing of a bell at the hour of 2:00 p.m., Eastern Daylight Time. There will be plenty of time, later in the day, for a B-B-Q or watching the City’s Fireworks at the Fair Grounds, in the evening.