On July 8, 2026, communities across the United States took part in a nationwide reading of the Declaration of Independence, commemorating the first public reading of the document 250 years earlier.
The event was organized by the Southbury America 250th Commission and emceed by Brian Jones, past president of the Southbury Historical Society. Readers of the Declaration of Independence included U.S. Army Veteran Ken Korsu, Southbury First Selectman Tim O’Neil, Southbury Ambulance President Geralyn Hoyt, Police Officer Keri Rich, Southbury Fire Department Assistant Chief Robert Barnes, and Commission Chair Mary Korsu. Commission member Nathan Bennett also read excerpts from Southbury Town Historian John Dwyer’s book, "The Revolution. Southbury at War: 1775-1783". Southbury Parks and Recreation Commissioner Jim Tornatore performed the National Anthem.
Members of the Southbury America 250th Commission include Mary Korsu, John Dwyer, Lynn Dwyer, Melinda Elliott, Shanna Bertram, Nathan Bennett, and Andrew Anglace.