Somerville was part of Charlestown and her history until 1842. The most accurate account in early writings places the arrival of English Captain Thomas Graves, a Charlestown engineer and street planner, as the date of Charlestown’s founding. Older than Boston, she was born on the fourth of July, 1629.

Two years later, on July 4, 1631, Governor John Winthrop launched the first ship built in Massachusetts into the Mystic River. He christened her “The Blessing of the Bay.” This ship enabled settlers to trade with far-off colonies, sailing as far south as Virginia to acquire goods. She was also the first ship that was armed to fight pirates and to protect other merchant ships who followed her. Thus, she became the first Coast Guard vessel and the progenitor of the United States Navy. Who knew the day of the launching at Ten Hills and the derivation of Somerville from Charlestown would be so significant in American history.

Independence Day or our Fourth of July commemorates the adoption of America’s Declaration of Independence in 1776 which proclaimed the original colonies to be free from British rule.The first state to officially celebrate it as a holiday was Massachusetts in 1781.America’s second President, John Adams, and its third President, Thomas Jefferson, both died on July 4, 1826. Five years later in 1831, our fifth President, James Monroe, died on July 4th. Massachusetts Governor and America’s thirtieth President, Calvin Coolidge, was born on the fourth of July, 1872, the year Somerville became a city.

The most historic and the longest in-service ship in our Navy is the 227-year-old

USS Constitution. Birthed in Charlestown, she was named by president George Washington after the document that proclaims our liberty and affirms our freedom — America’s Constitution. We celebrate the signing of this law of our land every July 4th.

Heroic Captain Richard Sommers, the namesake of Somerville, spent the last day of his life on the Constitution’s deck. He died in action in 1804 attempting to destroy the enemy fleet during the Tripolitan War.

On July 4th, 1910, President William Howard Taft fulfilled an invitation from the City of Somerville to visit, to partake and to preside over its nation’s birthday celebration. It was a phenomenal day for Somerville citizens to experience and to remember.

The most common symbol of America on July 4th is her flag that is raised from coast to coast while often illuminated by fireworks. The first time it was raised was in the presence of General George Washington at Somerville’s Prospect Hill on New Years’ Day in 1776.