Historic City of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania Celebrates the Fourth of July

Historic City of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania Celebrates the Fourth of July - The city is named after two of the greatest pioneers in human freedom John Wilkes and Isaac Barre. John Wilkes and Isaac Barre were members of the British Parliament around the time of the American Revolutionary War. Astonishingly, they supported the American Revolutionaries and opposed England, their very own country. The Wyoming Massacre occurred in 1778 in the outskirts of Wilkes-Barre. This massacre is one of the most cruel and inhumane episodes in human history, as American settlers in northeastern Pennsylvania were savagely killed by Indians. Wilkes and Barre rose to their feet in the British Parliament and denounced the use of savages by English soldiers against the Americans whom they referred to as their blood brothers.

John Wilkes and Isaac Booth both had fascinating careers. Wilkes was born in England in 1727. He was well off and well educated and had an early interest in politics and was elected to Parliament on four separate occasions. He was imprisoned in the Tower of London for criticizing the King's ministers. King George III declared him an outlaw, and he was dismissed in Parliament and fled to France. After 11 years, King George was forced to capitulate. He went on to become sheriff, Lord Mayor, and Chamberlain of London. He died in 1797 and is buried in London.

Isaac Barre was a Frenchman. He was born in Dublin in 1726, and was educated at Trinity College. He was an ensign in an English Regiment and became the Adjutant General to Major Wolfe in the French and Indian War. He was elected to Parliament and was a member for 40 years. He fought for American liberty in Parliament. He died in 1802.

The Fourth of July is celebrated all day long in beautiful Kirby Park. This park was donated to the city with the stipulation that it would always be used for rest and recreation and would never be developed economically. The park is open all day long and tens of thousands of people come and visit. There are plenty of rides for the children and food vendors to feed the masses. Musical groups perform free concerts all day long.

The highlight of the day is a patriotic concert by the Philharmonic Society of Northeastern Pennsylvania. This orchestra started out as the Wyoming Valley Philharmonic Orchestra and was sponsored by Wilkes College which is now Wilkes University. It performed its first concert in 1952. It eventually became the Wilkes-Barre Philharmonic Society and merged with a similar orchestra in Scranton Pennsylvania. Then it became the Philharmonic Society of Northeastern Pennsylvania. A graphic fireworks display follows the concert.

Source: The League of Women Voters of Wilkes-Barre, Wilkes-Barre Pennsylvania, 1953