Members of Congress gathered Thursday at Independence Hall in Philadelphia to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
The bipartisan group of lawmakers gathered at Independence Hall specifically on this day because it marked the anniversary of the Second Continental Congress’s vote in support of American independence in 1776 in Philadelphia.
Two days later, the Declaration of Independence was signed.
Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-PA), whose district includes Philadelphia, spearheaded the event. For two years, Boyle aimed to bring a bipartisan group of members of Congress to the room “where it all began.”
Through his opening remarks, Boyle used the nation’s founding to illustrate that even when the nation is divided, there is a path forward.
“Many of the voices raised in doubt centuries ago served to strengthen and improve the decisions finally made,” Boyle said. “The American adventure is a continuing process. As one milestone is passed, another is sighted. As we achieve one goal, we raise our sights.”
Among the lawmakers in attendance were House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), and Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-AL). The members of Congress did not dress festively in historic attire for the event, sporting the same suits they would wear if they were on Capitol Hill.
Boyle discussed in his remarks that since the founders signed the Declaration of Independence, generations of Americans have continued to fight for the freedoms they laid out.
“The work that began here in Philadelphia did not end here in 1776,” Boyle said. “The promise of this country had to be fought for by generations of Americans who refused to accept that liberty and equality belong only to some. That struggle is not separate from the American story, it is the American story.”
At the end of Boyle’s remarks, he called on all of his colleagues to “rededicate” themselves to the country.
“What makes us this country, what makes us exceptional, is that for 250 years, Americans have kept fighting to bring this nation closer to its founding ideals,” he said.
Gov. Josh Shapiro (D-PA) also attended the event and used his remarks to highlight Philadelphia’s role as the nation’s birthplace and thanked members of Congress for attending.
“As we gather here ahead of the 250th anniversary of our independence, I want to thank each and every one of you for taking up the baton handed down from generations before you and now doing the hard work to carry it forward,” he said.
Shapiro said that after 250 years, the “sun continues to rise” on the country.
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“To be sure, there are challenges we face and warnings on the horizon,” Shapiro said. “But the spirit of America has endured over the last 2 1/2 centuries, and it is my hope that this body, that the Congress of the United States, takes inspiration from the example set by our founders.”
“To debate in earnest, to work through our differences, but to always remember we are united as Americans,” Shapiro added.