NC Senate marks America’s 250th at Old Capitol 

North Carolina senators walked one block south and nearly 250 years back in history Tuesday morning. 

The Senate left its modern chamber in the Legislative Building for a ceremonial session in the historic chamber of the State Capitol, commemorating North Carolina’s role in the nation’s founding ahead of America’s 250th anniversary. 

The State Capitol, completed in 1840, housed much of North Carolina’s government for decades, including the governor’s office, General Assembly, and Supreme Court. The Supreme Court moved across Edenton Street in 1888, while the General Assembly remained in the Capitol until moving to the Legislative Building in 1963. 

Sen. Carl Ford, R-Rowan, opened the session by reading a senatorial statement honoring North Carolina’s role in the American Revolution. 

“North Carolina’s proud legacy as the ‘first in freedom’ continues to inspire its citizens and reflects the state’s enduring commitment to the principles of freedom, representative government, and civic responsibility that remain the foundation of our nation,” Ford read in part. 

From there, senators moved east to west across the state, telling stories that traced North Carolina’s role in the Revolution from political resistance to military sacrifice. 

Sen. Lisa Barnes, R-Nash, began in the east, where North Carolinians helped shape both the political ideas of the Revolution and some of its earliest acts of protest. 

Barnes highlighted John Adams’ “Thoughts on Government,” a 1776 letter written to William Hooper, one of North Carolina’s three Declaration of Independence signers, that helped shape ideas about representative government. She also pointed to the Edenton Tea Party, one of the earliest organized women’s political actions in American history. 

“The women of North Carolina shocked the world with their actions,” Barnes said. “They understood that freedom isn’t preserved by people who are comfortable and glamorous. It’s preserved by people who are willing to act and believe that liberty is worth the risk.” 

Sen. Paul Lowe, D-Forsyth, then moved the story west to the Piedmont, where the Race to the Dan and the Battle of Guilford Courthouse helped weaken the British Army during the Revolution’s southern campaign. 

“Our freedom and independence were not won by a single battle or in a single year,” Lowe said. “Instead, they were earned through courage, sacrifice, and the hardship of so many Americans, including countless men and women from [our] great state.” 

Sen. Ralph Hise, R-Mitchell, carried the story farther west to the Battle of Kings Mountain, a Patriot victory in 1780 that helped turn the tide of the war in the South. 

Quoting Thomas Jefferson, Hise said the battle was “the turn of the tide of success, which terminated the Revolutionary War with the seal of our independence.” 

Bob Rosser, project coordinator for America’s 250th Celebration at the John Locke Foundation, said the anniversary is a time to remember North Carolina’s role in the nation’s founding. 

“North Carolina played an important role in the birth of our country 250 years ago,” Rosser said in a statement to Carolina Journal. “We have dates on our state flag to remind us.” 

The flag has two dates: May 20, 1775, for the Mecklenburg Declaration, when Mecklenburg County leaders were said to have declared independence from Britain; and April 12, 1776, for the Halifax Resolves, when North Carolina became the first colony to authorize its Continental Congress delegates to vote for independence. 

Semiquincentennial celebrations continue Saturday in and around the State Capitol. 

The “First in Freedom” July 4th Parade will begin at 9:30am on Fayetteville Street. It will feature more than 70 entries, including marching bands, veterans groups, and a Vietnam War-era helicopter, according to Labor Commissioner Luke Farley. 

Then, from 10am to 4pm, the Capitol 250: NC Freedom Fest at the State Capitol will include live music, local vendors, food trucks, special exhibits, living history, and family-friendly activities, according to the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. 

The parade and festival are free. 

“NC Senate marks America’s 250th at Old Capitol ” was originally published on www.carolinajournal.com.