Charlotte Marks 250 Years of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence on May 20, 2025

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Apr 22, 2025, 09:48 ET

One Year Before 1776: Charlotte's Forgotten Revolution Gets Its Due

CHARLOTTE, N.C., April 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The May 20th Society proudly announces a slate of events leading up to the 250th anniversary of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence (MecDec), to be commemorated on May 20, 2025.

This milestone marks a powerful moment in American history, when, on May 20, 1775, Mecklenburg County citizens declared their independence from British rule—more than a year before the Continental Congress adopted its own Declaration. Whether legend or fact, the MecDec remains a symbol of Charlotte's revolutionary spirit and leadership in the fight for freedom.

Watch: Discover the untold story of America’s first declaration of independence — made in Charlotte on May 20, 1775 — and learn why the “Meck Dec” still matters 250 years later.

"This anniversary is about more than commemoration—it's about bringing awareness to an incredible moment in North Carolina's story," said Scott Syfert, co-founder of the May 20^th Society. "The events leading up to the250th anniversary are designed to keep the spirit of 1775 alive and well, and to give our state a renewed sense of pride in being the first to declare independence—one full year before the rest of the nation."

Upcoming Semiquincentennial Events:

Trail of History Festival – May 10, 2025
MecDec Express: Brew-infused Stories and Sites from Charlotte's Revolutionary Past – May 10, 2025
Final Draught: History, Hops & the MecDec – May 12, 2025
Annual Captain James Jack Historical Bike Ride – May 18, 2025
MecDec Moot Court Debate – May 19, 2025
250th Commemoration Ceremony – May 20, 2025
Charlotte Museum of History Exhibit Opening – May 20, 2025

The legacy of the MecDec runs deep in North Carolina. The date May 20, 1775, appears on the state flag and seal, and our state license plates proudly declare "First in Freedom." Five sitting U.S. Presidents—Taft, Wilson, Eisenhower, Ford, and George H.W. Bush—have visited Charlotte to commemorate its bold claim as the first to declare independence. Numerous historical documents, such as the Mecklenburg Resolves, are preserved in museums and archives across the state—offering compelling evidence that supports the legitimacy of the Mecklenburg Declaration.

To learn more and participate in this historic celebration, visit may20thsociety.org

SOURCE May 20th Society