NC 250
NC 250
As America nears its 250th anniversary, this is an opportunity for North Carolina to reflect on its longstanding contributions to the nation’s history. Throughout the commemoration, the John Locke Foundation will share content and highlight stories that recognize the state’s role in shaping America.
Liberty
History comes alive 249 years after Davidson’s Fort raid
On August 17, I visited Old Fort, North Carolina, for a commemorative event at Davidson’s Fort. The Revolutionary War–era reconstructed fort, complete with log stockade and blockhouse, conjured up boyhood…
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Neighbors battle neighbors at the House in the Horseshoe
Recently, on a particularly hot day that made me wonder how in the world Revolutionary War soldiers weathered the heat in their woolen garb, much less while evading whizzing musket…
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The empire strikes back, weakly: The Battle of Beaufort
Most people consider the Battle of Yorktown to mark the end of the American Revolution, but did you know that some historians have called the Battle of Beaufort, which took…
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Tryon Palace marks 249 years of American independence
You couldn’t have asked for a better day to celebrate the 249th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence than to be at Tryon Palace in New Bern, North Carolina, on…
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Plenty of NC history to celebrate this July Fourth
Did you know that the wire tip of a sparkler burns at more than 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit? So when you’re lighting up the night on July Fourth with the family,…
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The Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence: A bold step toward American freedom
On May 20, 1775, in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, a group of local leaders gathered in Charlotte to respond to the mounting tensions with British rule. In the wake of…
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Battles at Lexington and Concord fuel patriotic fervor in NC
On April 19, 1775, a “shot heard round the world” rang out — including in North Carolina. That “shot” refers to the Battles of Lexington and Concord, which marked the…
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Celebrating the Halifax Resolves: A bold step toward independence
North Carolina proudly commemorates the Halifax Resolves each year on April 12. The Halifax Resolves represent a pivotal yet often overlooked milestone in America’s journey to independence. Adopted in 1776 in the…
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Revolutionary reads: Celebrate and revere America’s founding
As the Carolina Journal reported on March 17, the North Carolina General Assembly’s Semiquincentennial Committee at its last meeting discussed ongoing efforts to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. Among other things,…
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NC county committees plan events celebrating America’s 250th
The first official Independence Day celebration in the United States is believed to have taken place in Old Salem, North Carolina, on July 4, 1783, in what is now Winston-Salem. Winston-Salem,…
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Here’s how you can celebrate America’s 250th anniversary
Celebrating America’s founding is a time to reflect on the nation’s rich history. Each year, Americans come together to honor the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4,…
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Reflections from a Celebration Commemorating the Edenton Tea Party
Post-election season in America seems more contentious than ever before. I naively thought that with the 2024 presidential election behind us, life would fall back into its rhythm, and the…