Governor Stein Proclaims Halifax Resolves Day

Halifax Resolves Day

2026

By The Governor Of The State Of North Carolina

A Proclamation

Whereas, in April 1776, the Fourth Provincial Congress of North Carolina, composed of 153 delegates from 35 counties and nine towns, met in the town of Halifax following the Patriots’ victory at the Battle of Moores Creek Bridge in February 1776; and 

Whereas, on April 12, 1776, these delegates unanimously adopted the Halifax Resolves, the first official action by any of the 13 colonies calling for independence from Great Britain; and 

Whereas, the Halifax Resolves authorized North Carolina’s representatives to the Second Continental Congress – William Hooper, Joseph Hewes, and John Penn – to vote for independence; and 

Whereas, this first formal call for American sovereignty is acknowledged as an important precursor to the Declaration of Independence, adopted on July 4, 1776; and 

Whereas, the date “April 12, 1776” is proudly and prominently featured on both the state flag and the Great Seal of the State of North Carolina in recognition of North Carolina’s assertion of being “first in freedom”; and 

Whereas, April 12, 2026, marks the 250^th anniversary of the Halifax Resolves, throughout the year 2026, North Carolina and the nation will commemorate 250 years of independence and encourage participation in community events and programs that promote patriotism, unity, and reflection on our nation’s history;

Now, Therefore, I, Josh Stein, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim April 12, 2026, as “Halifax Resolves Day” in North Carolina and commend its observance to all residents.

In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Great Seal of the State of North Carolina at the Capitol in Raleigh this twenty-third day of March in the year of our Lord two thousand and twenty-sixth and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fiftieth.