Additional Events Added to Inaugural Barnstable County Independence Day

BARNSTABLE – Additional events have been added to the celebration of the inaugural Barnstable County Independence Day next Thursday.

On July 4th, 1776, the colonies in the New World broke away from the British Empire with a declaration of independence.

But what many don’t know, is that Cape Cod was really first in throwing off the yoke of the British rule.

In the summer of 1774, a reported 1,500 people gathered in Barnstable County to sign a document that they would no longer consider themselves under the control of the king.

The Barnstable County commissioners’ meeting at 4 p.m. at the Olde Colonial Courthouse in Barnstable Village will include a presentation from historian Ray Raphael and a reenactment of negotiations and the signing of the declaration performed by Yarmouth Minutemen.

A ceremonial ringing of the bell originally rung at the courthouse will be held at the First Church UCC in Sandwich at 4 p.m. to start the meeting.