Tonganoxie Community Historical Society organized the local reading of the Declaration of Independence. Local residents took turns reading parts of the document at 5 p.m. local time Wednesday, July 8, at Gallagher Park.

The Hawaii America 250 Commission led the initiative in reading the Declaration of Independence throughout the country and its territories.

The Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4, 1776. And though Independence Day is celebrated annually in the United States, it would actually take several days for colonists to hear or read the document back in 1776.

Last week’s readings celebrated the first reading of the Declaration of Independence by Col. John Nixon, who read the document on the State House Lawn in Philadelphia on July 8, 1776.

TCHS recently announced its August Fourth Tuesday program, which will be 7:30 p.m. Aug. 25 at the TCHS Museum and Site, 201 W. Washington St.

Cathy Stueckemann will give the presentation “Dispelling ‘Myth Perceptions’ about American Indians and the U.S. Governme nt.”

The program will explore Constitutional recognition of tribes, the relationships of different administrative policies, assimilation efforts by the government, termination efforts, the era of Self-Determination, and consultation between the tribes and the federal government. The presentation will also include historical perspectives, family stories, and work experiences that will help refute common misperceptions held by many non-Indians.

TCHS also will be unveiling a new exhibit in September called “Moments that Made US.” The specific date is to be determined, but look for updates in upcoming editions of The Mirror.