April 12, 1776 marks an important day in American and NC history. In the small eastern town of Halifax, North Carolina's Fourth Provincial Assembly gathered and authorized its three delegates to the Continental Congress to vote for independence. Their thoughts and "resolves" were added to the minutes of their meeting. This was the first official action by any of the thirteen colonies on the road to independence and self-determination. This is how North Carolina became "first in freedom".
It is one thing to read about the history it is another all together to watch in unfold "as if" in real time. Halifax, NC is very close to Raleigh and this makes a nice day trip or weekend getaway. Do youself a favor and make plans to attend this special living history event. I promise you will be touched by the history of the experience. Halifax is like our own little pocket sized Williamsburg!
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Halifax Days 2024
photo by C. Deal |
The 250th anniversary of the Halifax Resolves will be celebrated from April 10–12, 2026, at Historic Halifax State Historic Site in North Carolina. This "Prelude to Revolution" event commemorates the 1776 adoption of the first official action by a colony calling for independence from Great Britain. The event features three days of living history, reenactments, and military drills, including a major ceremony on April 12.
Key Event Details (April 10-12, 2026):
Significance: 250th Anniversary of the Halifax Resolves, marking North Carolina's role as the first colony to officially call for independence. Link to 3 day schedule is here.
Activities: The weekend features "Halifax Resolves Days" with living-history demonstrations, militia encampments, building tours, and colonial-era, interpreters.
Highlights: A military parade is scheduled for Saturday, April 11, at 11 a.m..
Main Ceremony: The annual wreath-laying ceremony and Halifax Day ceremony take place on Sunday, April 12.
Location: Historic Halifax State Historic Site, 25 St David St, Halifax, NC.
Updates: contact www.visithalifax.com; phone - 252-583-7191
Get in the mood for the day. Get inspired by the full text of the Halifax Resolves:
"The Select Committee taking into Consideration the usurpations and violences attempted and committed by the King and Parliament of Britain against America, and the further Measures to be taken for frustrating the same, and for the better defence of this province reported as follows, to wit,
It appears to your Committee that pursuant to the Plan concerted by the British Ministry for subjugating America, the King and Parliament of Great Britain have usurped a Power over the Persons and Properties of the People unlimited and uncontrouled; and disregarding their humble Petitions for Peace, Liberty and safety, have made divers Legislative Acts, denouncing War Famine and every Species of Calamity against the Continent in General. That British Fleets and Armies have been and still are daily employed in destroying the People and committing the most horrid devastations on the Country. That Governors in different Colonies have declared Protection to Slaves who should imbrue their Hands in the Blood of their Masters. That the Ships belonging to America are declared prizes of War and many of them have been violently seized and confiscated in consequence of which multitudes of the people have been destroyed or from easy Circumstances reduced to the most Lamentable distress.
And whereas the moderation hitherto manifested by the United Colonies and their sincere desire to be reconciled to the mother Country on Constitutional Principles, have procured no mitigation of the aforesaid Wrongs and usurpations, and no hopes remain of obtaining redress by those Means alone which have been hitherto tried, Your Committee are of Opinion that the house should enter into the following Resolve to wit,
Resolved that the delegates for this Colony in the Continental Congress be impowered to concur with the delegates of the other Colonies in declaring Independency, and forming foreign Alliances, reserving to this Colony the Sole, and Exclusive right of forming a Constitution and Laws for this Colony, and of appointing delegates from time to time (under the direction of a general Representation thereof) to meet the delegates of the other Colonies for such purposes as shall be hereafter pointed out.” - source
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Halifax Days 2024
photo by C Deal |
Or if you prefer, here is the modern English text of the Resolves paraphrased by Claude Sonnet 4.6 (AI):
"The Select Committee, having reviewed the abuses and acts of aggression carried out by the King and Parliament of Britain against America, and considering what further steps should be taken to stop them and better protect this province, reports the following:
Your Committee finds that, as part of the British government's plan to bring America under its control, the King and Parliament of Great Britain have seized unlimited and unchecked power over the lives and property of the American people. Ignoring repeated peaceful requests for peace, liberty, and safety, they have passed various laws threatening war, famine, and every kind of suffering against the colonies as a whole. British naval and military forces have been, and continue to be, actively used to kill colonists and cause widespread destruction across the land. Colonial governors have promised freedom to enslaved people who take up arms and kill their masters. American ships have been declared enemy vessels, and many have been seized and taken by force — leaving countless people dead or driven from comfortable lives into desperate poverty.
Given that the restrained and good-faith efforts of the United Colonies to reach a peaceful reconciliation with Britain on fair constitutional terms have produced no relief from these wrongs and abuses — and given that there is no longer any realistic hope of fixing these problems through the means already tried — your Committee believes the house should adopt the following resolution:
Resolved that the delegates representing this Colony in the Continental Congress are hereby authorized to join with the delegates of the other Colonies in declaring independence and forming alliances with foreign nations — while reserving to this Colony the sole and exclusive right to create its own constitution and laws, and to appoint delegates as needed (guided by its general representative body) to meet with delegates from the other Colonies for purposes to be determined going forward."
Go have some colonial fun and touch history!
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