CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Locals honoring the nation’s birthday on Tuesday, the Fourth of July, with the reading of the Declaration of Independence and firing of muskets and the courthouse cannon.

More than 125 people gathered, many dressed in period clothing, on the lawn of the Montgomery County Courthouse for the 10th anniversary of the reading ceremony. The event included a reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance and singing of the national anthem with music provided by Cumberland Winds.

Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) at the reading of the Declaration of Independence at the Historic Montgomery County Courthouse on Jul. 4, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) at the reading of the Declaration of Independence at the Historic Montgomery County Courthouse on Jul. 4, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Firing of the cannon at the reading of the Declaration of Independence at the Historic Montgomery County Courthouse on Jul. 4, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Firing of the volley at the reading of the Declaration of Independence at the Historic Montgomery County Courthouse on Jul. 4, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Aaron Ayers at the reading of the Declaration of Independence at the Historic Montgomery County Courthouse on Jul. 4, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Rick Longton at the reading of the Declaration of Independence at the Historic Montgomery County Courthouse on Jul. 4, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Dr. Dewey Browder at the reading of the Declaration of Independence at the Historic Montgomery County Courthouse on Jul. 4, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Cindy Smith at the reading of the Declaration of Independence at the Historic Montgomery County Courthouse on Jul. 4, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
The reading of the Declaration of Independence at the Historic Montgomery County Courthouse on Jul. 4, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Gail Longton at the reading of the Declaration of Independence at the Historic Montgomery County Courthouse on Jul. 4, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
The reading of the Declaration of Independence at the Historic Montgomery County Courthouse on Jul. 4, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Sara & Mia Golden at the reading of the Declaration of Independence at the Historic Montgomery County Courthouse on Jul. 4, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
David Sickmier & Danny Black at the reading of the Declaration of Independence at the Historic Montgomery County Courthouse on Jul. 4, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Greg & Cindy Smith at the reading of the Declaration of Independence at the Historic Montgomery County Courthouse on Jul. 4, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
The reading of the Declaration of Independence at the Historic Montgomery County Courthouse on Jul. 4, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
The reading of the Declaration of Independence at the Historic Montgomery County Courthouse on Jul. 4, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Cumberland Winds performing at the reading of the Declaration of Independence at the Historic Montgomery County Courthouse on Jul. 4, 2023. (Lee Erwin)

The event is hosted by two local historical organizations, the Capt. William Edmiston Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Valentine Sevier Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution.

“We want the Declaration of Independence to be known by the people. So many people have never read it, don’t know what’s in it, don’t know what’s in the constitution,” said Gail Longton, honorary regent with the DAR. “We think it’s a wonderful way for Independence Day to start.”