Taphophilia.(dot) Com - Society recognizes Huntington's birthday

Society recognizes Huntington's birthday

Thursday, 13 July 2006

Norwich, CT

The Norwich Historical Society will conduct a symbolic presidential wreath-laying at the tomb of Samuel Huntington at 2 p.m. Sunday in the Norwichtown Colonial Cemetery. The annual event features the colorful and historic Second Company Connecticut Governor's Foot Guard of New Haven, complete with honor guard, color guard and a fife and drum musical unit.

Connecticut State Historian Walter Woodward will be the keynote speaker. Attorney General Richard Blumenthal will also speak, and Mohegan Tribal ceremonial prayers will close the event.

Samuel Huntington, born in Scotland, spent his adult life as a resident of Norwich, and was one of only 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. But Huntington continued to serve in the Continental Congress and was president on two separate occasions.

The symbolic presidential wreath that is placed at his tomb signifies and celebrates the fact that he was, under the first U.S. Constitution (the Articles of Confederation), the first President of the United States in Congress Assembled.

We technically became a nation for the first time on March 1, 1781, when the Articles of Confederation were finally ratified by all 13 states. At that time, Huntington was President of the Continental Congress and was automatically elevated to first President of the United States of America.

The first Constitution proclaimed that whoever is President of the Continental Congress shall serve as His Excellency, President of the United States. Huntington served for less than a year due to illness.

Each president, from George Washington to Ronald Reagan, on occasion of his birthday, is presented with a presidential wreath by the U.S. Marine Corps on behalf on the President of the United States.

The Norwich Historical Society believes that the forgotten founders -- the 10 men who served as president under the first Constitution -- should also be awarded that honor.

Each July 16, the society, with the Second Company Connecticut Foot Guard and many Connecticut officials, symbolically lay a presidential wreath at the tomb of Samuel Huntington. Huntington also served many years as Governor of Connecticut.

The society has launched an ambitious program to establish a library or museum to celebrate the forgotten founders -- those men who served as President of the Continental Congress.

The museum/library will also be a center for Articles of Confederation Constitutional Studies.

Norwich Historical Society's President Bill Stanley's society update appears Wednesdays. Contact the society at 886-1776 or www.norwichhistorical society.org. Also, find Historically Speaking online at www. norwichbulletin.com

http://www.norwichbulletin.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060712/LIFESTYLE/607120306/1024

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