Berks County will host reading of Declaration of Independence

Local officials are inviting residents to an event that will mark a historic milestone — the ringing of the Berks County Liberty Bell 250 years ago.

The ceremony will take place July 8 at noon outside the Berks County Services Center in Reading.

It will commemorate the ringing of the bell on July 8, 1776, which announced the birth of the United States of America and called local residents to gather for a reading of the Declaration of Independence that had been signed four days earlier.

The historic moment will be celebrated as the document is ceremonially read again.

The ceremony will include an explanation of the historical significance of the document and a reading of select sections of the declaration in English and German — as was done in 1776. It will also be read in Spanish to honor the Latino population in the county.

Festivities will begin with a performance by the Ringgold Band at 11:30 a.m.

The event will conclude the 250th anniversary celebrations for the America250PA Berks Committee.