The First Fourth of July - Salem, North Carolina 1783
Description
Join us for a virtual Road Scholar lecture from historian Christopher Hendricks about the nation's first Independence Day Celebration, which happened in Salem, North Carolina!
Here is the description from Road Scholar: As the Revolutionary War drew to a close, North Carolina’s General Assembly declared July 4, 1783, a day of thanksgiving for peace and independence, and Governor Alexander Martin called on citizens to observe the occasion. In a striking historical irony, the Moravians of Salem — German pacifists who had remained neutral during the conflict — are the only known group to answer the call, marking the day with prayer, music, a torchlight procession and the premiere of “Freudenpsalm” (“A Psalm of Joy”). This lecture will also examine the origins of the Moravian Church, their settlements in America and the challenges they faced during the French and Indian War, the Regulator Movement and the Revolution. Celebrate the United States of America’s 250th anniversary in 2026 by exploring this remarkable early Independence Day celebration in Salem, North Carolina.
Here is the description from Road Scholar: As the Revolutionary War drew to a close, North Carolina’s General Assembly declared July 4, 1783, a day of thanksgiving for peace and independence, and Governor Alexander Martin called on citizens to observe the occasion. In a striking historical irony, the Moravians of Salem — German pacifists who had remained neutral during the conflict — are the only known group to answer the call, marking the day with prayer, music, a torchlight procession and the premiere of “Freudenpsalm” (“A Psalm of Joy”). This lecture will also examine the origins of the Moravian Church, their settlements in America and the challenges they faced during the French and Indian War, the Regulator Movement and the Revolution. Celebrate the United States of America’s 250th anniversary in 2026 by exploring this remarkable early Independence Day celebration in Salem, North Carolina.