The Spirit of Mecklenburg
"The fact of the Declaration should be announced, its language should be published and perpetuated, and the names of the gallant representatives of Mecklenburg, with whom it originated, should be preserved from an oblivion, which, should it involve them, would as much dishonor us, as injure them."
- Report of the Governor of North Carolina on the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence (1831)
Established in 2003 by a group of Charlotte’s young professionals, The May 20th Society was established to capture and celebrate Charlotte's rebellious and visionary spirit - a spirit defined by so many activities in which Charlotte has been a leader in the nation.
Nowhere was this leadership and energy more apparent than on May 20, 1775, when at least twenty six of Mecklenburg County’s civic leaders in a log courthouse in the middle of what is now Trade & Tryon Streets wrote and adopted the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence – the “first” declaration of independence by any civic body in the Colonies. The May 20th Society was founded to revive and maintain the memory of the patriots of Mecklenburg and the commemoration of this important event.
This courageous act of patriotism preceded the nation's Declaration by over a full year and established a precedent of leadership that has continued to define our City for over 230 years.
Charlotte and Mecklenburg County are unique places not only because of geography, but because of our people and our never-ending desire for personal freedoms.
This spirit had resulted in our becoming the origin of the American Revolution, the hub of the fight for civil rights, an incubator of modern invention, the center of world-class banking, and the home of the largest energy provider in the nation - a community that has always demanded to go wherever our dreams take us. The symbol of this spirit is the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence
- signed by citizens who, under threat of death, demanded freedom in business,
religion, and their personal lives.
Today, many of Charlotte’s civic and business leaders have again united to demonstrate their commitment to the “spirit of Mecklenburg” – a spirit of innovation, courage and leadership. Please join us in this important endeavor.
