BY LINDSAY-JO DOUGLAS
BG Independent News
Citizens and dignitaries gathered at the Wood County District Public Library Thursday for the first event of a year-long celebration of America’s 250th birthday.
“Even an absolute dictator relies on the consent of the people,” recited Wood County Common Pleas Judge Matthew Reger as he reflected on the words of his professor and those of the Declaration of Independence as part of the kick-off celebration for America’s birthday.
At the entrance of the library, people were greeted with different iterations of the American flag. There were descriptions next to each flag that explained the different meanings behind them. For example, the nine stripes on the “Rebellious Stripes” flag, also called the “Sons of Liberty” flag, represented each of the nine colonies that attended the Stamp Act Congress.
Mayor Mike Aspacher began the featured program by observing “this meaningful opportunity to reflect on the Declaration of Independence” and democracy, as a whole. He encouraged everyone to think of the principles of liberty and equality that the United States was founded on. Aspacher reminded attendees that in America, “power belongs to the people” and “democratic values are lived out every day at the local level.”
Aspacher then thanked the community partners that made the event possible: Wood County District Public Library, Bowling Green City Schools, Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce, Visit BG Ohio, Bowling Green Economic Development, Downtown Bowling Green Special Improvement District, the City of Bowling Green, and Wood County.
Next, Reagan Otley sang the national anthem, “The Star Spangled Banner,” a capella, which Kevin Bylsma noted most people have heard sung “off-key and off-tempo.” He was delighted to hear Otley hit her high notes in a space with good acoustics. With Bylsma’s accompaniment, Otley then performed “Beautiful Dreamer” by Stephen Foster. Bylsma said Foster was “the Taylor Swift of his day” and helped establish American music.
During Otley’s performance of “You’re a Grand Old Flag,” attendees were encouraged to wave the American flags they were given upon arrival. To round out the musical program, Otley performed “America the Beautiful.”
Reger began his portion of the program by talking about how he used to think the rest of the world was different from America. However, after living overseas, he now realizes, “it’s America that’s different from everyone else.” He then went on to discuss the events, principles, and values that led to the writing of the Declaration of Independence.
One of the most notable principles was the idea of “no taxation without representation.” American revolutionaries rejected the British Parliament’s taxes, because they had no representatives to approve of them. In an effort to avoid war the Olive Branch Petition of 1775 was adopted and signed, which asked the king to resolve the issues between Parliament and the American colonies. As Reger said, the king refused.
Influenced by John Locke, American revolutionaries believed that when a government no longer provides what is necessary, it is “[one’s] right, [one’s] duty to throw off such government,” said Reger. This belief led to extreme discord in the colonies. Families were divided over whether to sever ties with Britain.
Presented to the Second Continental Congress on June 7, 1776, the Lee Resolution formally called for American independence. The resolution was signed on July 2, 1776. This paved the way for the Declaration of Independence, which was adopted two days later, on July 4. The declaration officially severed the colonies’ ties with Britain.
Reger noted that many people feel there is current discord in the United States. He said that this is not new to the country. Throughout the revolution, throughout the civil war, and throughout history there has been discord. With documents such as the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution leading the way, Reger believes America will prevail.
Michele Raine concluded the program by thanking attendees for participating, the community partners for planning the event, and the Bowling Green Community Foundation for providing patriotic cupcakes. She reminded everyone that the event was the beginning of a year-long celebration.
More information about upcoming events can be found here.
