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The local Daughters of the American Revolution stage a revolutionary reading in Cascades Park

Tom Rankin reads the Declaration of Independence from the porch of the recreated Florida's First Capitol.
Tom Flanigan
Tom Rankin reads the Declaration of Independence from the porch of the recreated Florida's First Capitol.

The Caroline Brevard Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution held a ceremonial reading of the Declaration of Independence on Saturday. It took place at the log cabin recreation of Florida's first capitol building in Cascades Park.

An authentic fife and drum corps provided historically accurate music.

Then the immortal words of the Declaration in its entirety were delivered by Tom Rankin, who assumed the role of a colonial-era town crier.

"We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal and that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights. Among them being life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."

Many other groups in and around Tallahassee are having their own observances of the nation's 250th anniversary.

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Tom Flanigan has been with WFSU News since 2006, focusing on covering local personalities, issues, and organizations. He began his broadcast career more than 30 years before that and covered news for several radio stations in Florida, Texas, and his home state of Maryland.

Find complete bio, contact info, and more stories. here.