Neighbor News
Sgt Maj John Champe Chapter SAR Commemorated the 250th Anniversary of first Reading of the Declaration
The first public reading of the Declaration of Independence was in Philadelphia, PA on July 8, 1776 at about 6:00pm
In every U.S. State and territory, at 6:00pm on July 8, 2026, Chapters of Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) held public readings of the Declaration of Independence to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the very first reading on July 8, 1776 in Philadelphia. The event was the brain-child of the Hawaii Society of SAR who spent months coordinating with other state Societies and territories to execute the plan.
The Sgt Maj John Champe Chapter sponsored the reading in Loudoun County at Leesburg Town Green. Leesburg Mayor Kelly Burk attended. Barbara Crittenden, soon to be applicant to Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), volunteered to sing the National Anthem as part of the opening ceremony. Chapter President Barry Schwoerer was Master of ceremonies. Readers were Compatriots Bob Anderson, Ken Bonner, and Steve Van Deusen. Warner Workman brought a 1/3 size Liberty Bell he rang after every reader completed reading a section, and then rang the bell 13 times in commemoration of the first 13 states.
DAR member Paula Schwoerer recorded the names and numbers of persons attending the event while DAR member Lana Workman helped with photography.
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The Sgt Maj John Champe Chapter serves Loudoun County and parts of surrounding counties. For more information on the chapter please visit our website at: https://johnchampe-sar.org
