►
From YouTube: Boston's 4th of July Celebration 2023
Description
What better place to celebrate Independence Day than Boston, the birthplace of the American Revolution? To celebrate the 4th of July, Mayor Wu led a series of events around City Hall: including a parade, a rereading of the Declaration of Independence, and a Faneuil Hall keynote speech by Ade Solanke.
A
A
It
is
the
the
initiation
of
democracy,
the
signing
of
the
Declaration
of
Independence
that
we
celebrate
here
in
Boston
today,
as
we
have
for
well
over
246
years.
Our
celebrations
dedicated
to
the
men
and
women
of
the
United
States
armed
forces,
we'll
begin
today
with
that
traditional
Flag
Ceremony,
followed
by
Boston's
Independence
Day
Parade.
A
A
A
Captain
Tim
harridan
Captain
committee
ancient
honorable
artillery
company
kindly
have
your
adjunct.
Brigadier
General
John
Driscoll
call
the
parade
to
attention
and
present
abs
for
the
singer
of
a
national
anthem
by
Danielle
Fonseca,
accompanied
by
the
Zaba
military
band,
followed
by
the
Pledge
of
Allegiance.
B
D
A
Is
now
my
distinct
privilege
privilege
to
introduce
the
mayor
of
the
city
of
Boston
mayor
Michelle
Wu,
who
is
the
56th
mayor
of
Boston
Maywood?
Is
the
daughter
of
immigrants,
Boston
Public,
School's
mum
of
two
boys,
MBTA
Commuter
in
Fierce,
believer
that
we
can
solve
our
deepest
challenges
through
building
community
mayor
Michelle,
Wu.
E
Thank
you
lieutenant
colonel
good
morning
and
happy
Independence
Day.
It
is
my
deepest
honor
and
privilege
to
welcome
you
to
the
city
of
Boston
city
of
Champions,
birthplace
of
American,
democracy
and
a
home
for
all
I
welcome
guests
from
across
Boston's
neighborhoods,
from
across
our
Commonwealth
and
across
our
country.
There
is
no
better
celebration
of
our
independence
than
right
here,
where
we
take
so
seriously
and
with
the
utmost
responsibility
our
charge
to
continue
that
journey
toward
a
more
perfect
union
every
single
day.
E
We
know
that
families
everywhere
need
that
sense
of
hope
of
what
is
possible
and
in
Boston
we
say
to
know
what's
possible.
You
just
have
to
look
at
where
we've
been
from
a
ragtag
crew,
standing
up
to
fight
for
their
families
and
their
freedoms,
with
just
a
sense
that
one
day
their
sacrifices
could
lead
to
a
better
future
to
our
continued
work
today,
inventing
life-saving
medicines
working
to
invest
in
our
Public
Schools
create
jobs
and
make
sure
that
we
can
be
that
model
of
what
it
means
to
come
together
around
possibility.
E
So
I
want
to
thank
everyone
who
helped
us
create
today's
celebration.
Our
commemorations
of
July
4th
and
our
independence
really
represent
the
work
that
is
still
to
be
done
and
I
want
to
thank
the
ancient
and
honorables
for
all.
They
do
to
continue
building
our
Legacy
and
all
of
our
visitors
and
guests
and
and
good
friends
from
Wilmington
Billerica
Lexington,
who
are
here
with
us
at
every
commemoration.
E
We
welcome
you
we're
so
grateful
for
your
service,
thank
you
to
our
veterans
and
service
people
who,
for
all
of
their
continued
sacrifices
and
their
families,
and
we
want
to
make
sure
that
you
can
come
back
to
Boston
month
after
month
day
by
day,
to
help
us
in
this
work
of
building
a
more
perfect
union.
Happy
Fourth
of
July.
F
F
F
A
How
appropriate
that
we
are
here
today,
just
outside
this
building
on
March
5th
1770,
five
men
were
among
the
first
casualties
of
the
battle
for
Independence
and
what
would
later
be
known
as
the
Boston
Massacre
from
1771
through
1782,
a
patriotic
operation
had
been
given
on
its
very
on
July
18
1776.
The
Declaration
of
Independence
was
first
proclaimed
to
the
citizens
of
Boston
from
this
very
spot.
F
D
A
C
G
When,
in
the
course
of
human
events,
it
becomes
necessary
for
one
people
to
dissolve
the
political
bans
which
have
connected
them
with
another
and
to
assume
among
the
powers
of
the
Earth,
separate
and
equal
station,
to
which
laws
of
nature
and
of
Nature's
God
entitle
them.
A
decent
respect
to
the
opinions
of
mankind
requires
that
they
should
declare
the
causes
which
impelled
them
to
separation.
G
Prudence,
indeed,
will
dictate
the
government's
long
established
should
not
be
changed
for
light
and
transient
causes,
and
accordingly,
all
experience
has
shown.
Mankind
are
more
disposed
to
suffer
while
Evils
are
sufferable
than
to
write
themselves
by
abolishing
conforms
to
which
they
are
accustomed.
G
G
G
G
G
F
G
Mock
trial
from
punishment
for
any
murders
which
they
should
commit
on
the
inhabitants
of
these
states
for
cutting
off
trades
with
all
parts
of
the
world
for
imposing
taxes
on
us
without
our
consents
for
depriving
us.
In
many
cases,
the
benefits
of
trial
by
jury
and
for
transporting
us
Beyond
Seas
to
be
tried
for
pretended
offenses
for
abolishing
the
free
system
of
English
laws
in
a
neighboring
province.
G
He
has
abdicated
government
here
by
declaring
ottawa's
protection
and
waging
Wars
against
us
dependent
or
seized
our
coaches
burnt
our
towns
and
destroyed
the
lives
of
our
people.
He
is
at
this
time
transporting
large
armies
of
foreign
mercenaries
to
complete
works
of
death.
Does
tyranny
already
begun,
with
the
circumstances
of
Cruelty
and
perfidy,
scarcely
parallel
to
the
most
barbarous
ages
and
totally
unworthy
the
head
of
a
Civilized
Nation?
G
G
Seas
to
bear
arms
against
their
country
to
become
executions
of
their
friends
and
brethren,
would
you
fall
themselves
by
their
hands?
He
is
excited
domestic
insurrections,
Among,
Us
and
as
endeavored
to
bring
on
the
inhabitants
of
our
Frontiers.
The
merciless
Indian
Savages,
whose
rule
known
rule
Warfare,
is
an
undistinguished
destruction
of
all
ages,
Sexes
and
conditions.
G
G
Nor
have
we
been
wanting
intentions
to
our
British
brethren.
We
have
warned
them
from
time
to
time
of
attempts
by
their
legislature
to
Extended
unwarrantable
jurisdiction
of
us.
We
have
reminded
them
of
the
circumstances
or
immigration
and
settlement.
Here
we
have
appealed
to
their
native
justice
of
magnaminity.
We
have
conjured
them
by
ties
of
common
Kindred
to
justify
these
userations,
which
inevitably
corrupt
our
connections
and
correspondence.
G
G
That
they
are
evolved
from
all
Legions
to
the
British
crown
and
that
all
political
connection
between
them
and
the
state
of
Great
Britain
is
and
ought
to
be,
totally
dissolved
and
that
has
freed
independent
states.
They
have
the
power
to
Levy
War,
conclude
peers,
contract
alliances,
established
Commerce
and
do
all
other
acts
of
things
which
independent
states
May
of
right
to
and
for
the
support
of
this
declaration
with
a
firm
Reliance
on
the
protection
of
divine
province.
A
A
F
A
A
veteran
Elliot
palette
representing
the
city
of
Boston's,
Veterans,
Services,
vocalist,
Daniel
Fonseca
and
our
oration
speaker
today,
a
day
Sri
Lanka
in
the
audience
we
have
the
director
of
office
and
tourism,
Sports,
entertainment,
Mr,
John,
border
and
I.
Think
that's
everybody
that
I
see
if
I
miss
somebody,
please
let
me
know.
C
A
D
A
A
A
A
She
is
best
known
for
her
debut
stage
played
Pandora's
Box,
which
was
produced
at
akala
theater
and
was
not
made
as
best
new
play
in
the
off
West
End
theater
Awards,
her
other
writing.
Credits
include
the
award-winning
BBC
Radio
Drama
Series
West
Westway
in
a
Nigerian
feature
filmed
Desert
Mirage.
She
is
the
founder
and
creative
director
of
the
company's
forest
stories
whose
aim
is
to
create
original
drama
for
stage
and
scream
telling
the
dynamic
stories
of
African
Sri
Lanka
has
previously
worked.
H
Good
morning,
yes,
my
name
is
Nigerian
writer
visiting
from
England,
happy
240th
and
7th
2014
37th.
Thank
you
to
the
city
of
Boston
for
the
very,
very
kind
invitation
to
be
with
you
here
today.
It's
absolutely
wonderful
and
quite
overwhelmed.
Actually,
it's
a
great
honor
and
a
pleasure,
so
New
England
today
is
a
bit
like
old
England
regarding
the
weather,
I'm.
Sorry
I
simply
brought
it
with
me.
However,.
F
H
May
be
rainy
outside,
but
we
gather
with
sunshine
in
our
hearts
and
although
I
am
from
England
I
do
understand
the
significance
of
Independence
days.
As
you
were
told
I'm
also
Nigerian
and
my
family
celebrate
an
independence
day.
Come
October
the
1st.
My
phone
will
explode
with
green
and
white
images
to
celebrate
Nigerian
Independence
Day.
Those
are
our
national
colors.
E
H
Many
in
the
UK
I
have
a
very
close
interest
in
America.
I've
actually
lived
here
twice
now.
The
first
in
the
90s,
when,
as
we
were
told
I,
was
at
USC
in
California
and
now
I
feel
I've
completed
my
education
because
I've
spent
time
in
Boston
and
the
interest
is
not
just
my
own
personal
one,
but
we're
all
very
focused
on
how
events
of
250
years
ago
here
relate
to
us
in
the
diaspora
all
over
the
world,
as
you
know,
I'm
sure
you've
seen
on
the
program
for
today's
events
at
1
30.
H
at
Downtown
Crossing.
Another
part
of
today's
program
involves
a
reading
of
Frederick
douglass's
famous
speech.
What
to
the
slave
is
the
4th
of
July,
and
that
question
has
actually
prompted
some
of
the
topics
I'd
like
to
reflect
on
today.
Frederick
Douglass
behind
me
on
the
podium
I
want
to
think
about.
How
do
we?
How
do
we
remember
and
reimagine
the
lives
of
enslaved
people
who
live
through
the
American
Revolution,
who
contributed
to
the
American
Revolution
I
want
to
think
about
Ai
and
American
independence.
H
H
What
is
a
revolution
and
how
is
how
is
it
that
we
evolve
a
revolution
so
the
first
topic
remembering
and
imagining
historical
figures.
It's
actually
the
reason
I'm
here
with
you
in
Boston
I'm,
as
here
as
a
Fulbright
scholar
at
Edison,
just
five
minutes
from
here
and
I'm
very
privileged
to
be
actually
writing
on
a
play
about
an
exceptional
Boston
figure,
an
incredible
African-American
writer.
She
was
an
enslaved
African
woman
who
was
a
child
prodigy,
a
poet,
a
celebrity
and
she's
been
called
a
genius
in
bondage,
her
name
something
you
will
know
already.
H
H
Having
been
brought
here
as
a
slave,
she
lived
in
12
years
for
12
years
of
slave
in
Boston
and
her
story
when
I
found
out
about
it.
I
found
it
so
remarkable
so
extraordinary
so
compelling.
I
came
from
London
to
study
her
to
find
out
more
about
Boston
and
the
Boston
of
yesterday,
where
she'd
as
I
say,
lived
for
12
years
and
I've
become
so
so
I've
written,
not
just
one
but
two
players
about
her.
H
So
I-
hopefully
quite
a
few
of
you-
will
be
here
in
November
and
it
will
be
set
and
performed
in
the
actual
Church,
where
she
was
a
congregon
if
you're
a
tourist,
I'm
hope,
I'm
sure,
but
I
actually
hope.
You've
actually
found
time
to
visit
Old
South
meeting
house,
which
is
just
near
the
state
house
where
we
were
that
was
her
actual
Church,
Phyllis
and
I
think
she
was
baptized
in
1771.,
so
Phyllis
another
enslaved
congregants
had
to
sit.
E
H
H
Of
Phyllis
she's,
been
I,
think
she's
taught
about
in
schools
here
and
you'll
see
her
picture
when
you
pass
through
arrivals
in
at
Logan
Airport,
and
you
can
actually
sit
next
to
her
statue
at
the
Women's
Memorial
on
Commonwealth
Avenue
and
it's
actually
a
very
small
statue
of
her
in
the
church.
I
mentioned
Old
South,
Meeting,
House
and.
H
For
very
good
reason,
I
call
her
a
Boston
miracle.
This
year
is
not
only
the
250th
anniversary
of
her
book,
which
I
mentioned
was
published
in
1773.
As
you
know,
it's
also
the
250th
anniversary
of
the
Boston
Tea
Party.
Now
you
will
have
heard
of
the
Boston
Tea
Party,
but
did
you
know
her
books
were
on
board
one
of
those
three
ships?
H
But
luckily
they
were
rescued
and
my
play
in
November
is
actually
about
those
three
weeks
between
the
arrival
of
the
ship
up
until
the
cargo
of
tea
was
dumped
into
the
Atlantic
and
phyllis's
Francis
frantic
efforts
to
rescue
her
horse.
So
to
remember
her
and
to
remember
the
Boston
Tea
Party
is
to
really
put
her
in
the
heart
of
the
story
of
American
Revolution
I.
H
Many
of
you
know
there
were
many
other
people
as
gifted
us
for
this,
but
unfortunately
they
didn't
have
the
opportunity
to
develop
her
gifts
for
her,
the
Wheatley
family,
who
owned
her
and
actually
bought
her.
When
she
was
a
slave,
she
was
able
with
them
to
develop
her
gifts.
She
became
an
exceptional
example
of
AI.
What.
H
To
do
with
the
American
Revolution
as
I
say
the
events
we're
remembering
today
have
her
someone
with
that
kind
of
story
and
experience
at
its
heart.
She
not
only
wrote
about
the
Boston
Medical.
She
wrote
about
unfair
taxation.
She
wrote
several
letters
to
ministers
on
Liberation
on
freedom.
She
wrote
a
poem
Praise
Him
in
the
appointment
of
General
Washington
as
commander
of
the
Continental
Army.
H
H
H
B
H
Street
she
was
about
seven
when
she
was
trafficked
the
same
age
as
your
second
grade,
son
or
daughter,
or
niece,
or
nephew
grandchild,
cousin
friend
or
neighbor.
We
don't
know
her
real
name.
She
was
actually
named
Phyllis
after
the
ship
she
was
brought
on,
but
she
so
she
showed
such
talent
and
appetite
for
learning
that
they,
the
weeklies,
helped
her
learn.
English
and
her
talent
and
hard
work
made
her
famous-
and
we
remember
her
today
so
Phyllis
was
actually
first
published
at
the
age
of
14.
H
C
H
Had
to
learn
to
read
and
write
by
teaching
themselves,
credit
Douglas,
who
is
again
behind
me,
was
also
forbidden
to
learn
to
read
but
managed
anyway,
but
then,
in
spite
of
her
talent,
in
spite
of
having
been
published
well
known
as
a
poet
for
five
years,
when
she
wanted
to
publish
the
book,
she
actually
couldn't
find
a
publisher
in
Boston.
So
she
had
to
come.
H
And
not
only
did
she
have
to
come
to
London
she
had
to
prove
to
people
that
she
had
actually
been
the
author
of
her
poems.
So
there
was
something
called
an
attestation,
a
document
that
was
drawn
up
so
that
she
could
produce
it
and
say
yes
I.
Actually,
although
I'm
a
young
black
woman
I
did
write
these
poems,
the
document
was
signed
by
someone
whose
name
you'll
know
very
well.
He
also
signed
the
document
that
we've
just
heard
read
out:
John
Hancock.
H
The
people
who
planned
uprisings
were
often
literate,
so
people
didn't
think
it
was
appropriate
for
an
African
to
read
or
write,
even
though,
as
I
said,
she
was
writing
and
writing
about
Liberty
and
freedom.
She
actually
wrote
a
poem,
a
famous
poem
called
the
massacre
on
King
Street
about
the
Boston
Massacre.
H
When
she
came
to
London
it
was
actually
in
the
June
and
July
of
this
year.
She
was
a
sensation.
She
was
the
toast
of
the
town,
and
some
of
you
may
have
been
to
London
and
if
you
did,
did
you
go
to
the
Tower
of
London?
Did
you
finish
visit
the
Greenwich
Observatory?
She
went
to
all
of
those
places,
but
I
can
imagine
that
you
possibly
were
not
invited
to
meet
the
king
or
queen.
She.
H
So
again,
thank
you
for
having
me
I'm,
so
honored
to
have
been
here
and
to
share
my
work,
remembering
Phyllis
and
honoring
her
role
in
American
independence
as
part
of
today's
celebration,
one
thing
I've
noticed
is
as
I
give
talks
about
her
life
is
how
inspired
children
are
by
her
story.
They
say
she
did
all
that
and
she
was
so
young
and
she
was
enslaved.
Wow
I
can
do
great
things
too.
It
really
moves
them
to
hear
of
her
difficulties
and
overcoming
them.
I
actually
went
to
a
group
of
school
kids
in
Roxbury.
They.
H
Hers
is
just
one
of
many
many
stories
of
African-Americans
who
changed
the
course
of
American
history
in
the
revolutionary
period,
and
there
are
so
many
who
I
hope
in
time.
Other
people
write
plays
about
other
people
will
write
books
about.
As
you
know,
Christmas
Attucks
was
the
first
person
to
die
just
up
the
road
during
the
protest
at
the
Boston
Massacre.
H
It's
been
a
real
privilege
to
spend
the
last
few
months
at
Emerson
and
it's
been
wonderful
to
have
the
support
of
so
many
people.
Phyllis
actually
said
when
she
was
in
London.
She
said
thank
you
to
my
friend
in
London
for
all
the
work
I'd
like
to
also
take
this
opportunity
to
thank
the
great
people.
Who've
been
really
helpful
to
me.
There's
so
much
information
that
I've
gained
from
the
Historical
Society,
such
as
revolutionary
spaces,
meet
Boston,
have
been
wonderful.
World
Boston
have
been
wonderful,
Massachusetts.
H
H
Just
new
to
the
party
and
they've
shared
their
knowledge,
they've
shared
their
understanding,
they've
shared
their
shared,
their
experience
of
contemporary
being
contemporary
black
artists
in
Boston
I'm,
so
grateful
for
that
help.
So
we're
in
a
hall
now
remembering
American
independence
and
so
to
remember,
that
is
to
remember
people
like
Phyllis
enslaved
people
we're
here.
This
Hall
is
named
after
there's
an
exhibition
downstairs
about
slavery
and
it
mentions
how
many
people
who
were
the
Sons
of
Liberty
were
also
simultaneously
enslavers.
H
H
Thank
you
again.
This
morning,
coincidentally,
I
mentioned
how
my
WhatsApp
groups
explode
on
Independence
days.
It's
today
is
the
50th
anniversary
of
CARICOM,
the
organization
Organization
for
Caribbean
unity
and
so
off
went
my
WhatsApp
and
one
of
the
messages
said
it's.
Let
us
Stand
Tall
United
as
one
and
build
on
a
future
of
shared
success.
So
Amen
to
that.
Please
support
our
play.
Come
check
out
my
website
for
more
information.
Look
at
revolutionary
spaces.
Tell
people
if
you're
a
tourist
come
to
the
play
in
London.
Have.
H
See
Phyllis
in
London
if
you're
in
Boston
come
see
the
play
in
November.
There's
also
I
should
let
you
know
a
city
of
Boston
Phyllis
Wheatley
week,
which
is
happening
towards
the
end
of
August.
Throughout
the
week
of
September.
Her
book
was
published
on
the
1st
of
September,
so
it
will
be
celebrating
that
please
look
out
for
details.
H
I
hope.
The
story
of
a
Boston
Miracle
called
Phyllis
helps
commemorate
your
city's
historic
Central
role
in
the
revolution
and
in
the
abolition,
movement.
I,
hope
it
highlights
the
role
of
Art
in
creating
change
and
fostering
unity
and
helps
us
to
celebrate
the
spirits,
the
spirit
of
progress
for
human
rights
and
Liberty
and
Union
for
all
and
forever.
Thank
you.