DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: We go to Washington, D.C. This an event we looked forward to all morning: a dramatic reading of the Declaration of Independence. First we hear from the town crier.</s>UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: As the official town crier of these festivities, I welcome all of you on this the 4th day of July in the year 1776. Now, last month, as most of you citizens -- and I use that word lovingly -- citizens know, delegate Richard Henry Lee of Virginia submitted to the Continental Congress meeting in Philadelphia a resolution which stated, in part, that these united colonies are, and of a right, ought to be free and independent states.</s>UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: Thank you. Good morning. Oh, come on, some spirit needed. Good morning.</s>AUDIENCE: Good morning.</s>UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: My fellow Americans, this is a great, grand day for America...</s>UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: ... for us and for our country, for today we are truly Americans, no longer simply Marylanders or Virginian or provincials. Two days ago, on the 2nd of July, the Congress voted for independence.</s>UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: Now, in (OFF-MIKE) inasmuch as the final signers, and it is written in your name, let me now read it to you: In Congress, July the 4th, 1776, the unanimous declaration of the 13 United States of America,</s>KAGAN: And there you have it: the Declaration of Independence adopted on this day 224 years ago. We're reminded of its brilliance and its importance by this reading by the actors of the American Historical Theater.
A Dramatic Reading of the Declaration of Independence