The Manitowoc County Historical Society recognizes the importance of honoring and commemorating the 250th anniversary of the founding of our nation and reminding our citizens of the vital significance and relevance of our founding principles and ideals that created a unique national identity worth fighting for.
The events of 1775 that began the revolution the year before independence was declared are significant moments that signaled the creation of a national identity. On the evening of April 18, 1775, with impending hostile action from the British army in Boston, Massachusetts, Paul Revere and William Dawes along with other alarm riders undertook a perilous ride to alert everyone in the countryside of the coming danger; and preceding their departure from Boston, a prearranged signal was set in the Old North Church steeple to ensure that the message got out and did not solely rely on just one or two alarm riders. The two lanterns that were the signal were immortalized in Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poem Paul Revere’s Ride as “One if by land, and two if by sea”.
We are reminded, 250 years later, that the call for unity and the call to serve each other is no less relevant today than it was then. A national initiative has been proposed through collaboration from multiple states that two lights be displayed in public spaces across the country for all to see marking that significant anniversary in April 2025.
We encourage all government buildings, community centers, public spaces, and all citizens to take part in this symbolic display by prominently displaying two lights for all to see the night of April 18th and 19th and reflect on how those lights shining out in the darkness during this vigil symbolically illustrate our ongoing journey as a nation.
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