On Saturday, Jan. 10 the Glen Rock community came together at the Community Church in Fellowship Hall to celebrate the kickoff of the events commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States. 

   A main attraction during the event was the debate between a Red Coat and a David Marinus reenactor. These actors made arguments for their views of the Revolution, interacting with the audience, and allowing attendees to ask questions.

The event also offered a variety of activities reflecting on the Revolutionary War time period. Some of the activities included using herbs to make your own teabags, candle making, and children’s games. Many of these tables were run by Glen Rock High School volunteers.

“I enjoyed being in charge of a table because I got to play with the kids and understand what life was like during the Revolution,” said Emma Dlugozima, a Glen Rock High School volunteer.

This event is an important part of celebrating the semiquincentennial of the United States for the Glen Rock community because it took place on the 250th anniversary of the publishing of Thomas Paine’s Common Sense. Common Sense was crucial in pushing the United States towards revolution.

According to Mrs. Walter, a Glen Rock High School History teacher and the Glen Rock historian, “Common sense kind of created the idea that after all our protests and our anger we finally recognized that an island shouldn’t be reigning over a continent. That we are such different people.”

The Kickoff Event Common Sense Commemoration, was the first of 30 events hosted by the Glen Rock Road2Liberty that honors the Revolutionary War. The Bergen County Commissioner, Mary Amoroso, and Representative Josh Gottheimer’s office both gave the Road2Liberty organization commendations in recognition of the extensive number of events they have planned for this year.