LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — Members of the Sons of the American Revolution Southern Nevada chapter dressed in full colonial uniforms Wednesday to take part in a public reading of the Declaration of Independence.
The event marks 250 years since the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence, which took place July 8, 1776, in Philadelphia.
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Nationwide readings held simultaneously
Wednesday’s Las Vegas reading was one of 725 held simultaneously across all 50 states and U.S. territories.
Organizers said they hope the readings remind the public of the sacrifices made by the nation’s founding fathers.
‘They started this without any idea’
David Bentley of the Sons of the American Revolution spoke at the event.
“They started this without any idea of what it was going to turn out to be,” Bentley said. “They knew they didn’t want to be part of England anymore. They were tired of being abused by that. They’d been living on their own and governing themselves. They wanted recognition for that. They decided to come together as states.”
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