~Photos by Claudia Ferro

The month of March officially marks 175 years since Somerville separated from Charlestown (in 1842),and on Wednesday, March 29 the city threw a birthday party that was “very Somerville.”

Revelers gathered at the Somerville-Charlestown city limits on East Broadway for live music, a toast to our City’s birthday, and to help sing the Happy Birthday song in true Somerville style.

Following the outdoor ceremony, everyone headed over to the Mount Vernon for some light refreshments, birthday cake, and the official launch of a special “Municipal Freedom Gives National Strength” (our City motto) gluten free beer, brewed specially by Somerville’s own Aeronaut Brewing Company.

The city will be celebrating our 175 years all year long, so be sure to visit www.somervillema.gov/somerville175 for news and updates, and to submit your favorite Somerville story, photo, or memory from past or present. They’ll collect all stories for displaying in a gallery at the end of the year.