The Powell American Legion and VFW posts are teaming up to show one of the key reasons this year’s 250th Independence Day celebration is so important — but it’ll be happening four days later. 

At 4 p.m. Wednesday, July 8, at Plaza Diane, four members of the organization will read, in turns, the entire Declaration of Independence simultaneously with similar organizations across the country. 

The event is occurring July 8, said Hughes-Pittinger Post 26 Commander Steve Olsen, because it took four days for town criers in all of the outlying communities to spread the word that, in Philadelphia on July 4, 1776, the document proclaiming the freedom of the 13 American colonies from the British Empire was signed. 

“They just went to the courthouse or the public square and made the proclamation, so we’re going to sort of mimic that,” Olsen said. 

The initiative is being done through Sharing the Spirit of America. According to the website, “Just as the Declaration of Independence was read to the people on July 8, 1776, now, 250 years later, Americans in all 50 states, five territories, the District of Columbia, and Minor Outlying Islands of the United States will read the Declaration … ‘together.’”

Speakers at the Plaza Diane event include Bud Schrickling, Kasi Wassink, Donald Meschke and Levi Nielsen. 

“Hopefully we get as many people as we can there, and you know when you stop and think about it, most of the general population has never actually read that document,” Olsen said. 

The American Legion is partnering with VFW 5054 in Powell, the local Sons of the American Legion unit and the Tribune to put this event on.