If you’re looking for some Rome events to observe our Independence Day you don’t have to go any further than downtown.

Rome Rotary Club, in partnership with Rome Historical Society, will hold its Independence Day Observance at 10 a.m. Monday, July 4, at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers of the American Revolution, located on the corner of James and Liberty streets.

Fort Stanwix National Monument will host a free event in honor of the nation’s birthday on Monday. An interactive reading of the Declaration of Independence will take place at 2 p.m., followed by salutes to the new nation. (For a full list of activities see our story on page 1).

The Tomb has a special significance. It was designed by the late Lorimer Rich of Camden, who is noted for co-designing the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier that is visited by thousands of people in Arlington National Cemetery.

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers of the American Revolution was dedicated on July 4, 1976 and is the resting place for the remains of eight Revolutionary War Soldiers, who were discovered in 1972 along the 100 block of N. James St.

The Daughters of the American Revolution and Sons of the American Revolution, and others, will lay their wreaths in memory of the interred soldiers. The original 13 colonies are identified on the Tomb along with the nation’s first allies, the Oneida Indian Nation.

These annual events may not have the flash of fireworks, but are important traditions for the local community as it celebrates the Fourth of July.