And So It Began
The day New York's patriots said, "Game on."
(Originally published July 9, 2023.)
On July 9, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was read aloud for the first time in New York, a week after the Continental Congress voted to declare independence, on July 2.
The document was signed on July 4th, and 200 copies were printed.
John Hancock, the President of Congress, had a copy sent by courier to General Washington in New York, instructing him to have it read to his troops in whatever manner he saw appropriate.
On the very same day, the first of what would eventually be 32,000 British troops began landing on Staten Island, which was home to a great number of loyalists.
Upon receiving the document, on July 9, Washington dispatched orders to his officers in New York to assemble their troops at 6 pm that evening, on their parade grounds on The Common, which today is City Hall Park. In addition to the troops, many citizens came out to hear the reading, as well, and the civilian portion of the crowd included many members of New York's rebellious Sons of Liberty.
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