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 the battles of Lexington and Concord, these Patriots reportedly declared themselves free and independent from British authority.
The Mecklenburg Declaration is a document that renounced British rule and reflected sentiments that were sweeping the colonies at the time. This renunciation was important because it was a step towards independence, making North Carolina arguably the first colony to declare formal independence from Britain.
The declaration is not without controversy, however. Some historians believe it was actually written many years after 1775, since its existence wasn’t reported until 1819 and the original document can’t be located (it was reportedly destroyed in a fire).
Nevertheless, each year on May 20, Charlotte remembers and celebrates the anniversary of the Mecklenburg Declaration with a ceremony at Independence Square, located at the intersection of Trade and Tryon Streets. This year is the 250th anniversary of Mecklenburg Declaration, and the events planned promise to be the best yet!
The story of the Mecklenburg Declaration reminds us that the push for independence was widespread, passionate, and driven by everyday people who believed in the right to self-governance. Their courage, whether memorialized in ink or carried in spirit, helped shape the American character — bold, independent, and unyielding in the face of tyranny.
An upcoming event from the John Locke Foundation will explain the history of the Mecklenburg Declaration and analyze its ongoing significance. To learn more and to register, visit the event page.
