A Little Revolutionary History

As the nation continues its multi-year commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary, the Ocean County Board of Commissioners joined the Ocean County Cultural and Heritage Commission and the Ocean County Parks and Recreation Department for the annual Countdown to Independence commemoration.

Held Nov. 12 in Historic Courtroom 1 of the Ocean County Courthouse, this year’s program highlighted two important chapters in New Jersey’s Revolutionary history: the Toms River Block House Fight and the adoption of New Jersey’s first state constitution on July 2, 1776.

Ocean County Commissioner Robert Arace was joined by members of the New Jersey Society of the Sons and Daughters of the American Revolution, students from Toms River High School South and members of the public to reflect on the significance of the events and decisions that helped shape our nation’s founding, including the sacrifices made right here in what is now Ocean County.

Musical selections from 1776 the Musical were performed by members of Surflight Theatre. The New Jersey Fifes and Drums and the First New Jersey Loyalists also participated in the commemoration.