Declaring America The Great (Mrs. John Nixon)
By Michele Burns
Hello, I'm Mrs. John Nixon. My husband is a leader in Philadelphia. I experienced an event many years ago that helped to unify our small country.
The people began pouring into the area around the State House early in the morning. There was anticipation in the air. I watched the crowd build from the top floor window of my home across the street. It seemed as if the entire state of Pennsylvania was packed into that small area. About a quarter to twelve, I took my place in front of the platform that had been erected. Everyone was jostling each other trying to get that first glimpse of my husband. He had been given the privilege of being the first to read a very important document to the general public. The crowd calmed instantly as he took the platform. As he climbed the steps a horseman rode into the area. The Declaration of Independence had arrived. John took it from the rider, unrolled it, and read it to himself. He looked out over the crowd and began to read, "When in the course of human events it becomes necessary...". There was complete silence until the last word had been spoken. Then hats were being thrown, and people were cheering. The silence was broken forever. All of a sudden above the thunder of human voices a new sound could be heard. It was the great bell that sat on the lawn at the State House. It would soon be known as the Liberty Bell. It tolled louder than normal, almost as if it knew the importance of the day. Soon it was joined by the other bells of the city.
Other Americans heard the Declaration of Independence in the months that followed. The response to those great words was always the same. On the ninth of July General Washington had it read to his men in the mighty state of New York. Savanna, Georgia was the last of the thirteen colonies to hear those great words. Their turn came on the tenth of August. The tenth of August became known to Georgian's as The King's Burial Service.
I think that July 8, 1776 is one day I will never forget. As a young girl I never imagined I'd be in attendance at such an emotional event.
Outline
I. Response:
A. Everyone jammed into yard
B. Declaration Read
- silence until completely read
- once read chaos
a. cheering
b. Liberty Bell
c. other bells
II. Riders:
A. Rushed Declaration to states
- Philadelphia - July 8 - Mr. Nixon
- July 9 - General Washington
- August 10 - Savanna
a. Kings Burial Service
Answers to questions
- One month two days.
- July 8, 1776
- Answers will vary
- The Declaration would cause the end of English control therefore the King would have no control. Answers will vary
Props
- Small Bell
- Scrolled Document
Extension: Have the students act out what it would have been like to take part in the celebration in Savanna when the Declaration of Independence was read. They would assign the parts of members of the crowd, person to carry the document by horseback, and the person to read it.
Sources:
Becker, Carl Louis, "The Declaration of Independence: A Study in the History of Political Ideas."
Vintage Books, NY, 1970.
Malone, Dumas, "The Story of the Declaration of Independence." Oxford University Press, NY,
1954.
Wills, Garry, "Inventing America: Jefferson Declaration of Independence." Double Day, Garden
City, Ny, 1978.
Questions
1. How long did it take from the reading of the Declaration in Philadelphia
to the reading in Savanna?
2. When was the Declaration of Independence first read?
3. How do you think the people of Philadelphia felt as they heard the bells ringing?
4. Why do you think the people of Savanna called August 10 The Kings Burial Service?