SAR celebrates 250 years of US independence

Garry Pirch, president of the Josiah Howell Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR), reads the Declaration of Independence aloud during a community event celebrating the historic document. Wednesday marked the 250th anniversary of the nation's first public reading of the declaration, which was originally adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. The local presentation was part of a nationwide initiative featuring simultaneous readings by SAR chapters across the country, which included an earlier 5 p.m. reading at the Howell County Courthouse. The local celebration featured refreshments provided by Mandy’s Hot Dogs and a fireworks display by Freedom Patch Fireworks