Brooklyn's Progress
August 2001

There were flags, music, and Brooklynites dressed in Colonial-era garb as the first reading of the Declaration of Independence in New York State was re-created in an outdoor ceremony on the steps of Brooklyn Borough Hall. The event, sponsored by Brooklyn Borough President Howard Golden and the First Battle Revival Alliance, managers of the Old Stone House, the symbol of Brooklyn's role in the American Revolution, is the first in a series of "Be Revolutionary!" activities commemorating the 225th anniversary of American Independence and the 1776 Battle of Brooklyn. At the event, Brooklyn actor Robert Malloch offered a dramatic reading of the Declaration of Independence. Volunteers in Colonial period dress presided as hundreds of present-day Brooklynites signed enlarged copies of the Declaration of Independence, reaffirming their commitment to American freedom and liberty. On July 9, 225 years ago, New York State officially ratified the Declaration of Independence and General George Washington lost no time in having the revolutionary document read aloud to his troops assembled in New York City. The reading of the Declaration on Independence in Brooklyn is the first event in an eight-year-long national commemoration of milestones of the American Revolution, which began with the first actual battle of the war in Brooklyn in August 1776, six weeks after the Declaration was signed in Philadelphia. Other speakers at the event included: Dr. Susan Miller, president of the Old Stone House Interpretative Center; historian John Gallagher, whose Sarpedon Publishers book, "Battle of Brooklyn, 1776," is a seminal work on the conflict; Fred Halla, Editor-in-Chief of the Brooklyn Daily Eagle; and Carolyn Greer of the Battle of Brooklyn Concord, organizers of the summer-long "Be Revolutionary" campaign and the Grand Re-enactment and Great Encampment of the Battle of Brooklyn taking place August 18-19. Throughout the program, period entertainment was provided by "The Liberty Belles," a vocal quartet including Kathleen Matson, Stephanie Trudeau, Biata Krukover and Anna Greer. Brooklyn Philharmonic Orchestra timpanist Jared Solvdiviero also participated Actor Robert Malloch, who presented the dramatic reading of the Declaration of Independence is a 17-year resident of Brooklyn who performs in television, film, off/off-Broadway and regional theater. He is founder and artistic director of the Brooklyn Stage Company in Red Hook. Commemoration of the 225th anniversary of the Battle of Brooklyn will culminate with the 225th Battle of Brooklyn Anniversary Celebration and Reenactment. The Grand Re-enactment will be a recreation of the fighting, involving hundreds of re-enactors in period uniforms on the Long Meadow of Prospect Park and at the Old Stone House in J.J. Byrne Park on August 18th, and the Great Encampment at Fort Hamilton on August 19th, in cooperation with the U.S. Army's Fort Hamilton Garrison and the Battle of Brooklyn Concord, Borough President Howard Golden, honorary chairman. The eight-year national commemoration of the 225th anniversary of the American Revolution will culminate in Brooklyn in 2008 as the 225th anniversary of the raising of the Liberty Pole in Brooklyn's New Utrecht community is celebrated. The Old Stone House Historic Interpretive Center is located in J.J. Byrne Park, Fifth Avenue and 3rd Street, Brooklyn, telephone 718/768-3195. For media information on the 225th Anniversary Battle of Brooklyn Concord and the Saturday and Sunday, August 18-19, 2001 re-enactment, telephone 718/853-5568.