In honor of the semiquincentennial celebration, Halifax County commissioners Monday proclaimed each Friday throughout 2026 as Red, White, and Blue Fridays.

The proclamation was presented by Michael Wray, chair of the county’s America 250th Commission.

The proclamation reads as follows: 

“Whereas, with the adoption of the Halifax Resolves, the first official call for independence by any colony, during the Fourth Provincial Congress on April 12, 1776, nearly three months prior to the Declaration of Independence, Halifax County became the Birthplace of American Independence; and

“Whereas, Halifax County has played a pivotal role in the foundation of our nation, including being the site of the first reading of the Declaration of Independence in North Carolina on August 1, 1776, by Cornelius Harnett, President of the Council of Safety, and serving as a military depot and recruiting center throughout the Revolutionary War, including a brief occupation by Lord Charles Cornwallis’ troops on their march to Virginia;

“Whereas, Halifax County was also a significant political center for the State of North Carolina. Once the war was over, Halifax hosted the Fifth Provincial Congress, where North Carolina’s first state constitution was adopted, and Richard Caswell was appointed as our state’s first governor; and

“Whereas, independence and freedom have been long sought after by all people of Halifax County over the last 250 years, including people of color and indigenous people who fought in the Revolutionary War and are remembered as patriots, freedom-seekers who worked their way along the Roanoke Canal and Roanoke River in their quest for a free life, indigenous people who advocated for the preservation of their land and culture, Civil Rights leaders like Sarah Keys Evans who refused to give up her seat on a bus, and workers like Crystal Lee Sutton (known as Norma Rae) who stood up for the rights of working people; and

“Whereas, during the next 250 years, Halifax County will continue to strive for a better quality of life for all citizens through public education, economic and workforce development, affordable housing, strong infrastructure, stewardship of natural resources, public safety, disaster management, health and human services, recreation, arts and culture, and more;

“Now, therefore, be it proclaimed that Halifax County will mark the Semi-Quincentennial Celebration through the wearing of our patriotic colors of red, white, and blue on Fridays throughout 2026 and that Halifax County encourages our municipalities, schools, businesses, and other organizations to do likewise.”

It is Halifax County’s hope that our municipalities will pass similar proclamations in honor of the Semi-Quincentennial and that all citizens, especially our schools and our students, will take great pride in our county’s pivotal contribution to the foundation of our nation through the Halifax Resolves by participating in the Red, White, and Blue Fridays and sharing their photos via social media using the hashtag #HalifaxCountyNC250.