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Illinois' First Capital to Hold Special July 4 Celebration

Sign

The village that became Illinois' first capitol will use July 4th to celebrate the Declaration of Independence and the community's capture from British forces during the American Revolution.

The Illinois Historic Preservation Agency says Kaskaskia will mark the day with a rifle volley by historic interpreters, lunch and other events.

Liberty Bell of the West

Kaskaskia was a Mississippi River town and a British administrative center when it was seized by revolutionaries on July 4, 1778. The action brought the war to the far west and was celebrated by ringing the ``Liberty Bell of the West.'' The bell is still at the Kaskaskia Bell State Memorial.

The town was later Illinois' first territorial capital.

Kaskaskia now has 14 residents and the Randolph County island is only reachable from Missouri.
 

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