An important day in history

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On July 18, 1776, Col. Thomas Crafts proclaimed the Declaration of Independence from the east balcony at the Old State House in Boston, to jubilant crowds consisting of the public residents of Massachusetts. 

Around 1 pm, Col. Crafts arose in the midst of others in the Council Chamber as he read it aloud to members. Then, a patriot Sheriff tried to read it from the balcony to the crowds outside of the house. Unfortunately he could only convey a whisper compared to the noisy gathering crowd. Crafts then stood aside the sheriff and read it from the balcony in a “stentorian tone.” Majority of the residents supported the revolution, so Crafts’ words ignited a celebration. The British architecture atop the Old State House was dismantled and burned in a bon fire in the streets.