The anniversary of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence of May 20, 1775 has been celebrated locally, state wide, and even nationally through the years.

In Charlotte, 49 anniversary celebrations have been documented, including every year since 1995. In times past children were let out of school for Meck Dec day and sometimes for the entire week.

Four sitting US Presidents and countless Governors, Senators and US Representatives have appeared at these celebrations. The centennial celebration in 1875 brought 40,000 people on special trains to this town of 6,000 souls.