Catasauqua celebrated history again with the annual Independence Day event that included a reading of the Declaration of Independence at the historic George Taylor House, Lehigh and Poplar streets, Catasauqua. George Taylor, a signer of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, built the mansion during the 18th century on about 5 acres of land.

The event day was busy with speakers and reenactors embracing a robust schedule of activities that began 10 a.m. and ended around noon. Then there were tours of the historic home and socializing among the attendees and reenactors dressed in 18th- and 19th-century garb and some World War II soldier reenactors in their 20th-century uniforms.

There were also Civil War reenactors wearing Grand Army of the Republic (Union) uniforms. They had pup tents, period utensils, period foods and 19th-century medical items to view. At a medical table and tent location, Mark Tramontina, dressed in a Union Army uniform, provided an educational presentation of the medical items and other things a Union soldier might carry while in the field of battle.

Tramontina noted coffee and hardtack were most popular with the soldiers. Hardtack is a simple, durable and long-lasting biscuit made from flour, water and sometimes salt. Its hard, dense texture and minimal ingredients gave it an incredibly long shelf life, making it ideal for survival situations such as military campaigns.

The Bachmann Players held vignettes that included William Franklin, the royal governor of New Jersey, played by Michael Hollingsworth of Easton, accompanied by a red-coated English soldier. The governor read a document condemning colonials who advocated and worked against King George and urged colonists to remain loyal to the crown.

A reenactor, playing the role of Thomas Paine, gave a rousing speech that fired up the crowd.

There was a procession led by George Taylor, played by Rick Guth, and Bachmann Players member Kaitlin Dougherty, which included about 25 other reenactors in the procession.

At noon, there was a reading of the Declaration of Independence, a changing of the flag and a playing of the national anthem. Patriotic songs were played, and the Catasauqua American Legion Post 215 honor guard was present to fire guns in tribute. Its bugler played taps.

Catasauqua Borough Mayor Barbara Schlegel welcomed and thanked all for attending this annual event. She thanked the Bachmann Players and others who help make the annual event a success.

Schlegel thanked the George Taylor House board and volunteers for their consistent dedication to improving the George Taylor House and working to make the July 4 event a success.

The day was a celebration, an educational effort and a sincere remembrance of the struggle to create the American democracy.