May 20, 2025, marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence, which preceded the signing of the more famous Declaration by more than a year.
Influential Charlotte (then called Charlottetown) men declared themselves “free and independent” of the British crown. The declaration was read on noon of May 20, 1775, from the courthouse steps. Then a second document, the Mecklenburg Resolves, was written.
James Jack, a tavern owner and future Revolutionary War officer, rode by horseback from Charlotte to Philadelphia to deliver copies of the Mecklenburg Declaration and Mecklenburg Resolves to the Second Continental Congress. On the way he stopped in Salisbury to read the documents publicly in district court.
What happened when he got to Philadelphia? Well, not much. The North Carolina delegates were still hoping for a reconciliation with England. And what happened to the original documents? It’s unclear, but it’s said that they were destroyed in an 1800 fire. In 1819 U.S. Senator Nathaniel Macon presented a recreated document to the Raleigh Register.
Thomas Jefferson, who was accused by John Adams of plagiarizing the Mecklenburg documents, asserted that there were no Mecklenburg documents, that the whole thing was a hoax. (Of course he would say that.) Today there’s controversy about what really happened. Read more in Five Facts to Know about Meck Dec Day, from UNC Charlotte.
But, regardless of any controversy, Charlotte celebrates Meck Dec Day every year.
It is the day of the year that you’re most likely to see people in Colonial garb in Uptown Charlotte.
Read on to learn how we will be celebrating Meck Dec Day this year, but first, check this out! The May 20th Society (the organization that has worked tirelessly to keep Meck Dec Day strong) is offering a May 20th Society soccer jersey. It’s even customizable!
May Day 1775: A Celebration of the 250th Anniversary of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence
On Saturday, May 3, 2025, from 3 to 5 p.m. celebrate May Day 1775 at the Hugh Torance House and Store, 8231 Gilead Road, Huntersville, North Carolina. May Day 1775: A Celebration of the 250th Anniversary of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence is a living history event that will take you back to the time that the Meck Dec was signed.
This event is free, but tickets are required.
Mecklenburg 250: Charlotte History Festival
In partnership with Mecklenburg County, the Mecklenburg 250: Charlotte History Festival is a one-day, annual event celebrating the history, growth, & development of Mecklenburg County, featuring local history, art, music, and food.
It will take place on May 10, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Captain Jack Statue, Elizabeth Park, at 4th Street and King Drive, Charlotte, North Carolina.
250th Anniversary of Meck Dec — celebration at Hopewell Presbyterian Church
On Saturday, May 17, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., celebrate Meck Dec Day at Hopewell Presbyterian Church, 10500 Beatties Ford Road, Huntersville, North Carolina. The event includes a parade from Tanner’s Creek, the reading of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence, lunch (order a BBQ lunch ahead of time, or bring your own), a program with music and the Meck Dec story, games, living history, treat trucks and souvenirs. This is a free event. Lunch costs $18 per person.
Captain James Jack Historical Bike Ride
The annual Captain Jack Historical Bike Ride takes place May 18, 2025, from 3 to 6 p.m. Riders of all ages and experience are welcome. This is a free event. The ride will leave from Olde Mecklenburg Brewery, 4150 Yancey Road, Charlotte, NC. The group will take the Rail Trail to Uptown, ride past the Captain Jack statue and then back to OMB.
Moot Court Debate
On May 19, 2025, at the Charles Jonas Federal Court House, 401 W Trade Street, Charlotte, NC, enjoy a Moot Court competition to debate the authenticity of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence. Time TBD. Four appellate teams of high school students will participate in the debate. N.C. Chief Justice Paul Newby, Hon. Frank Whitney, and other state and federal judges will hear the arguments and award a winner.
The event is free and open to the public. Space is limited.
Meck Dec Day Noon Commemoration
Charlotte will celebrate the anniversary of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence with a ceremony at Trade and Tryon Streets, also known as Independence Square. It will take place on May 20, 2025, from 12 to 2 p.m.
The streets at Trade and Tryon will be closed, a replica of the courthouse where the Meck Dec was read will be displayed, and there will be re-enactors, bands, musket and cannon firing.
The Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence will be read, and there will be plenty of local dignitaries on hand. Also, in past years, Homer the Dragon and Sir Minty were in attendance.
Charlotte Museum of History
The Charlotte Museum of History will be hosting a new exhibit, Meck Dec 250: Remembering the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence. The exhibit opens on May 20, 2025. Tickets are $10 for adults, $7 for students, children and seniors, and $5 for veterans. Free for museum members and children age 5 and younger. Learn about the exhibit.
In addition, on May 30, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., the museum is hosting a special event, Mecklenburg Resolves: 250th Anniversary Celebration. This event is included in regular museum admission.
The Mecklenburg Resolves were adopted 11 days after the Declaration of Independence, by the same committee. They were a set or radical resolutions, declaring that all laws derived from the “Authority of the King or Parliament” were annulled and vacated.
This special celebration marking the 250th anniversary of the Mecklenburg Resolves—an important step on the road to American independence. This commemorative event will feature a talk on the history and impact of the Resolves, guided tours of the 1774 Rock House, hands-on crafts, games for all ages, and more. Come explore the revolutionary spirit of Mecklenburg County and discover how this bold declaration helped shape the future of a nation.
More about Meck Dec Day
Some websites about the Meck Dec
Some Meck Dec related sites to visit
- Charlotte Liberty Walk has a marker for the signing of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence.
- The Captain Jack Statue, part of the Trail of History, is on the Little Sugar Creek Greenway, at CPCC. You might find our self-guided tour of that section of Little Sugar Creek Greenway helpful.
- The Matheson Bridge Mural, by William Puckett, visually depicts the story of the Meck Dec. You’ll find it under the Matheson Street Bridge, on North Davidson Street. It hasn’t been updated for a while, but you can still sort of see it.
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