Vandalia Hosts Reading of the Declaration of Independence for 250th Birthday
By Anna Garner
On Wednesday July 8th, 2026, the city of Vandalia hosted the reading of The Declaration of Independence to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the first public reading.
To start off the night at 4:30 pm, the band Lady Liberty performed a wide array of songs. At 5:00 as the music came to a stop Kim Schrader gave a brief history lesson on what exactly the Declaration of Independence was and the different ways it has affected the United States. “The Declaration was not adopted until July of 1776, July 4th changed America, not only did it change America it changed the entire world. It was a new idea, a concept of self rule and power coming from the people” Kim explained.
As Kim finished up, everyone was asked to go back to that day in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Philadelphia, to that first day the Declaration of Independence was read.
For each section, different volunteers would come up and read their part. Some were very animated and even dressed up in costumes and some were just glad to be there. By the end the Mayor, Douglas Knebel, stepped up to the podium to give the finishing touches “Thank you to everyone who participated in this reading and helped bring the words of our founding fathers to life. Can you imagine 250 years ago, hearing those words, and being changed with what is going to take place in the next few years.”
Even though the reading was over, the night was not ready to come to a close. Lady Liberty played a few songs commemorating America. As people listened to these songs and stood up with their hands placed over their hearts for the national anthem, we were reminded of what a beautiful country we live in.
To end the night a Betsy Ross impersonator took the stage and gave a history lesson on how the United States flag came to be. As she interacted with the crowd and made people laugh with her impressions, the joy across everyone’s faces showed. “I need three volunteers; we have two, we have three, yes!” She exclaimed as she pulled people up from the crowd. Two volunteers held the flag as the third pointed out which star represented the state of Illinois.
“Illinois is 21 because in Illinois we have lots of fun” she said excitedly as the crowd laughed around her. To end the lesson she had two volunteers fold the flag for everyone to see.
To end the night a bell was rang 13 times to commemorate the original 13 colonies. Finally the statehouse opened its doors for everyone to go sign the name book. But, it is not a celebration without cake! A birthday cake and cookies were presented for everyone to enjoy as the bells from all the churches in town rang across the city.
