America's oldest Independence Day parade marks 240 years of patriotic tradition

A quaint coastal New England town known for hosting the oldest Independence Day parade is once again resuming festivities this year for its 240th anniversary.  

The town of Bristol, Rhode Island, began hosting celebrations in 1785.

Reverend Henry Wight of the First Congregational Church, a Revolutionary veteran, conducted the first known Patriotic Exercises, according to the parade’s website.

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