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Independence Day Program Planned for Kaskaskia Historical Site

This Sunday the public can attend a patriotic ceremony at the site where early American villagers rung a huge bell to celebrate freedom from British Rule. The 51st annual event will take place at the Kaskaskia Bell State Memorial, which houses the Liberty Bell of the West. The bell was a gift from France, and was rung by villagers to recognize the July 4, 1778 liberation from the British after the United States won the Revolutionary War. The July 4th ceremony will start at 1:00PM on Kaskaskia Island in southwest Illinois. Among the speakers, author Stephen Kling, who co-authored the book, The Battle of St. Louis-The Attack on Cahokia. The Chester Municipal Band will perform and historic interpreters will be on hand. Sandwiches and refreshments will be available and visitors are asked to bring lawn chairs. All CDC guidelines in place, will be followed during the event.
For directions to get to the site, browse to: https://www2.illinois.gov/dnr/calendar/Pages/Kaskaskia-Bell-State-Memorial-51st-Annual-Patriotic-Ceremony.aspx

Kevin Boucher is a retired broadcaster. Most recently he was a news reporter for WSIU radio. He grew up watching nature programs including Mutual of Omaha’s wild kingdom and the many Jacques Cousteau specials which sparked his passion with nature. Kevin also is an avid hiker and loves seeing and writing stories about the many fascinating plants and animals we share our planet with. Kevin is married and has lived in Murphysboro since 1976, after living in many places, including Japan, as the son of a Navy officer.


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