May 20, 2024, marks the 249th anniversary of the signing of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence, which preceded the signing of the more famous Declaration by more than a year.
Influential Charlotte (then called Charlottetown) men declared themselves “free and independent” of the British crown. The declaration was read on noon of May 20, 1775, from the courthouse steps. Then a second document, the Mecklenburg Resolves, was written.
James Jack, a tavern owner and future Revolutionary War officer, rode by horseback from Charlotte to Philadelphia to deliver copies of the Mecklenburg Declaration and Mecklenburg Resolves to the Second Continental Congress. On the way he stopped in Salisbury to read the documents publicly in district court.
What happened when he got to Philadelphia? Well, not much. The North Carolina delegates were still hoping for a reconciliation with England. And what happened to the original documents? It’s unclear, but it’s said that they were destroyed in an 1800 fire. In 1819 U.S. Senator Nathaniel Macon presented a recreated document to the Raleigh Register.
Thomas Jefferson, who was accused by John Adams of plagiarizing the Mecklenburg documents, asserted that there were no Mecklenburg documents, that the whole thing was a hoax. (Of course he would say that.) Today there’s controversy about what really happened. Read more in Five Facts to Know about Meck Dec Day, from UNC Charlotte.
But, regardless of any controversy, Charlotte celebrates Meck Dec Day every year.
It is the day of the year that you’re most likely to see people in Colonial garb in Uptown Charlotte.
Read on to learn how we will be celebrating Meck Dec Day this year.
Meck Dec Day Noon Commemoration
This year the annual commemoration will take place at to The Square at Trade and Tryon, on Monday, May 20, 2024, at noon.
This traditional celebration has hosted four former presidents, military generals, and many more dignitaries.
The celebration will include spirited debates and revolutionary reenactments. Typically the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence is read by a re-enactor, followed by a volley of musket and cannon fire. Charlotte dignitaries and mascots are usually in attendance.
This is a free celebration.
Charlotte Museum of History
Charlotte Museum of History’s MeckDec Day celebration is on Saturday, May 18, 2024, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and is included with museum admission.
There will be special guided tours of the 1774 Rock House, activities, adn tables featuring the Historic Landmarks Commission, May 20th Society and more.
Admission to Charlotte Museum of History is $10 for adults, $7 for seniors (age 62+), children (6-17) and students with ID. Admission is free for children 5 and under and Charlotte Museum of History members.
More about Meck Dec Day
Some websites about the Meck Dec
Some Meck Dec related sites to visit
- Charlotte Liberty Walk has a marker for the signing of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence.
- The Captain Jack Statue, part of the Trail of History, is on the Little Sugar Creek Greenway, at CPCC. You might find our self-guided tour of that section of Little Sugar Creek Greenway helpful.
- The Matheson Bridge Mural, by William Puckett, visually depicts the story of the Meck Dec. You’ll find it under the Matheson Street Bridge, on North Davidson Street. It’s been a few years since we’ve checked it out, so we can’t vouch for the mural’s condition.
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Upcoming Events in the Charlotte area
Check out our full events calendar, where you can enter any date, or look at the events for the next few days here:Charlotte Museum of History
3500 Shamrock Drive
Charlotte, NC 704-568-1774
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