Hundreds Gather in Alexandria, Virginia for Historic 250th Anniversary of Fairfax Resolves
Community Commemorates Important American Stepping Stone Toward Independence Which Happened on the City’s Doorstep
ALEXANDRIA, VA – It was July 18, 1774. A group of Virginia colonists penned a document challenging British authority and inspiring the fight for independence. Exactly 250 years later, the city of Alexandria marked this watershed event at Market Square outside City Hall. Hundreds came to sit in the strong late afternoon sun to watch the Fairfax Resolves program and historical performance. Luckily, the oppressive heat wave broke just in time for the milestone occasion.
“Written by George Washington and George Mason on July 17, 1774, at Mount Vernon, the Fairfax County Resolves were both a bold statement of fundamental constitutional rights and a revolutionary call for an association of colonies to protest British anti-American actions.,” says the Library of Congress. “The resolves were adopted on July 18, 1774, by a Fairfax County convention chaired by George Washington.”
“The Fairfax Resolves were part of a wave of resolutions throughout Virginia and the other colonies in response to the coercive acts enacted by parliament in early 1774 in retaliation to the December 13th, 1773 Boston Tea Party,” Gretchen Bulova explained to the assembled audience. Bulova is executive director of the Office of Historic Alexandria. “The Fairfax Resolves, authored in large part by George Mason at the request of George Washington, were the most aggressive of the Resolves passed in Virginia, recognized as the most detailed, the most influential, and the most radical.”
Town Crier Dr. Ben Fiore-Walker recounted the historic day in his trademark booming oratory. “Usually he does not fit in with the predominant attire,” Mayor Justin Wilson bantered. “This is one of those events he actually fits in with how everyone is dressed!”
Just five days earlier, Alexandria celebrated its 275th birthday with the party of the century. “We are in a festive mood this year!” the mayor announced.
“Celebrating the broad expanse of Alexandria’s history, we always like to note that our nation is a bit younger than our city. Like most things that are important and cool, we do them before everyone else and then they figure them out and copy us.”
“But we also recognize that throughout our history and the history of our nation, the history of our city, the history of our Commonwealth, this happened right here on the streets of Alexandria,” Wilson proclaimed. “We always cherish the fact that on every street in this city, you can hear the footsteps of our history.”
The Fairfax Resolves were the precursor to the Declaration of Independence. These grievances declared that the colonies had the right to govern their own affairs and that Parliament could not tax them without their consent.
Carly Fiorina is national chair of the Virginia American Revolution 250 Commission. The former Hewlett-Packard CEO has deep Virginia roots and moved back to the Commonwealth from California 13 years ago. She and her husband live in Lorton.
“Virginia has always been the crucible of our nation. In so many ways, our nation began here in Alexandria 250 years ago,” Fiorina began in her keynote address.
“Virginia’s history is America’s story. 2026, as you now know, is our semi-quincentennial. I had to practice very hard to say that effectively and smoothly,” Fiorina quipped. “I, as a proud Virginian, know the nation began here. I am proud to serve because I believe we must learn who and where we come from to understand why we are Americans. I serve because I know that Virginians can make a difference in our future.”
Fiorina praised the Virginia founders who chose to act almost 250 years ago, even when the odds were long and the outcome uncertain. “As Virginia led the movement toward independence, Virginia is once again leading the semi-quincentennial movement. As the Alexandrians who stood here 250 years ago resolved, let us also resolve that through our choices and through our actions, we can start a movement, we can build a more perfect union.”
The audience was next treated to a historical portrayal of that significant day exactly 250 years ago, the day British colonists in Virginia wrote radical and influential words that forged the path to revolution.
“What were we in the county of Fairfax, the colony of Virginia to do?” George Washington pondered. The general was portrayed by Brian Hilton, the official George Washington for the city of Alexandria. “You see that in the Fairfax Resolves. We resolved to help, aid, and assist the good people of the town of Boston and the colony of Massachusetts. For what the British could do to the people of Massachusetts, they could very well do here in the colony of Virginia and elsewhere, correct, yes?”
“And it was something for which we were not about to stand,” General George Washington declared.
From Market Square, the large crowd moved to Carlyle House across the street, where a Fairfax Resolves marker was unveiled. VIP guests then wandered onto the balcony and lavish gardens below for an evening reception.
